APPLY NOW! Ashinaga Initiative Scholarship for Africa 2025
About Ashinaga Africa Initiative
The Ashinaga Africa Initiative began in 2014. Its mission is to contribute to sub-Saharan Africa’s expanding role in global development through increasing access to higher education abroad. We support orphaned students who are committed to returning home and initiating change, by providing access to full financial support to study at a university abroad (equivalent to an undergraduate degree). Ashinaga support covers tuition, accommodation, travel costs, and other necessary fees.
To apply online, you must register by completing this form. Once registered, your file will be assessed by our teams and, if you are eligible, you will be invited to complete a full application form.
Program Overview
Please read the Applicant Guide for full details on the program and for support with your application.
The Ashinaga Initiative for Africa (AIA) is an international leadership program aimed at developing the next generation of leaders who can contribute to the development of sub-Saharan Africa.
IAA Scholars are students who have lost one or both parents and are committed to returning home, or at least to the sub-Saharan African region, to initiate change, innovation and development.
The IAA provides access to full financial support to study at university in France, including tuition fees, accommodation, travel and other necessary costs, for bachelor’s and /or master ‘s studies .
Important information
Eligibility
Eligible students:
- Have lost their father, mother, or both.
- Have citizenship and have completed or will complete their secondary education in one of the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon (French-speaking), Central African Republic, Comoros, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Seychelles, Chad and Togo.
- Are under 23 years old for a bachelor’s degree application and under 25 years old for a master’s degree application
- Have completed their secondary education and obtained their baccalaureate (technical, technological and professional baccalaureates are not accepted).
- Have consistently ranked among the top of their class during high school and college, if applicable. Students who have scored below 14/20 on their baccalaureate exam have a limited chance of being accepted.
- Do not have the financial means to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree at university.
- Speak French fluently.
- Can participate in Ashinaga’s two one-year preparatory programs, which are prerequisites for university admission. The only exception is if the student has already received an offer of admission from a French university that applies the tuition fee exemption
- Are committed to returning home or to sub-Saharan Africa, to actively contribute to African society after graduation.
- Have no dependents who would interfere with the continuation of their studies.
- Are in good health and able to study internationally.
How to applyÂ
The application process for the Ashinaga Africa Initiative takes place in two stages:
- Registration : All applicants must first confirm their eligibility by registering for the program. Only students who are registered for the program and deemed eligible will receive the link to the application form via email.
- Application : Eligible registered applicants will receive an email with the link to the complete application.
Documents to be provided at each stage of the application (for a bachelor’s or master’s application)
Registration
1. A photo or scanned copy of at least one of the following documents: national identity card, passport or birth certificate/extract.
2. A photo or scanned copy of the last school report/transcript from your last year in high school (last quarter or semester, or the annual report).
3. A photo or scanned copy of the baccalaureate certificate or any other proof of completion of secondary studies (if applicable).
4. Grades obtained at university to date, if applicable.
Candidacy
1. A passport-sized photo.
2. A copy of your passport or identity card
3. A copy of your birth certificate/extract.
4. A copy of the death or disappearance certificate of the parent(s), or any alternative official document, bearing the name of the deceased, proving death or orphan status.
5. A copy of all school reports/transcripts from the last 2 years of high school (transcripts from the last quarter or semester, or annual transcripts).
6. A copy of the certificate of successful completion of the baccalaureate or any other proof of completion of secondary studies, and the transcript of the examination (with a detailed list of marks in each subject).
7. Proof of registration and grades obtained at the university to date, if applicable.
8. A letter of recommendation from a teacher. This letter should include their phone number and should contain information about your performance and character during high school. All letters of recommendation must have an official signature or stamp.
9. Optional: copies of certificates of extracurricular activities, training, employment or other commitment (if applicable).
Please note that Ashinaga does not support students wishing to study medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or pharmacy, but can fund degrees in biomedicine. Additionally, applicants wishing to study engineering must have achieved particularly high grades in high school for this choice to be accepted.
Application Deadline: December 31, 2024
