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Funding

Partial / Stipend

Wells Mountain Initiative Scholars Program

Bachelor's ScholarshipGlobal

Wells Mountain Initiative

Application Deadline

Closed · March 1, 2026

Reopens Dec 2026

Official Page

Can you apply?

Here's who can apply

Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.

“Will study in their home country (or within their home region when local programs are unavailable) … Is applying to a university OR is currently enrolled in their first undergraduate degree or diploma program … Scholars planning to study in the United States, Canada, Australia, UK or Western Europe will not qualify for a WMI Scholarship” Eligibility

  • Education required

    High School · Bachelor Enrolled

  • Age requirement

    ≤ 35 yrs

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The Wells Mountain Initiative Scholars Program is run by Wells Mountain Initiative, a US charity based in Bristol, Vermont. It helps students pay for a first bachelor’s degree or diploma at a university in their home country or region, mostly in Africa.

Scholars are expected to volunteer throughout their studies and to live and work at home after graduating. There is one round a year, closing on 1 March.

Benefits & funding

  • US$300–3,000 a year; only a few scholars receive the maximum.
  • Can go toward tuition and fees, books, accommodation and meals, and transport; it is a partial award that does not cover all costs.
  • Usually renewed for the full degree.
  • Duties: above-average grades, at least 100 hours of community service a year, and twice-yearly academic, expense and service reports; funding can be stopped for misuse or missed service.

Eligibility

  • Aged 35 or under on 1 August 2027.
  • Has finished secondary school, or is in the final year, with above-average grades.
  • Applying to university or enrolled in a first undergraduate degree or diploma; not for Master’s or PhD study.
  • Will study in their home country (or home region if no local programme exists); study in the US, Canada, Australia, the UK or Western Europe does not qualify.
  • Plans to live and work in their home country or region after graduating.
  • Has volunteered before, and has some funds but cannot afford university without help.
  • Relatives of WMI staff and of WMI scholars cannot apply.
  • First-generation university students are preferred, not required.

Application process

  1. 1
    Apply through WMI’s online portal between 1 December 2026 and 1 March 2027 (11:59 pm EST); there is no application fee.
  2. 2
    Write two personal statements and a 1,000-word essay, in English and without AI-generated text.
  3. 3
    Provide official school and exam results; any non-English document needs a verified English translation.
  4. 4
    Two recommenders who are not family or close friends upload letters by the same 1 March deadline.

Program timeline

  1. 1 Dec 2026

    2027 application opens

  2. Application and recommendation-letter deadline (11:59 pm EST)

    1 Mar 2027

  3. Recipients emailed and named online

    1 Aug 2027

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