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Published: 06 Oct 2025
Yale Young African Scholars(YYAS) Application is currently open. This is an intensive academic and enrichment program designed for African secondary school students who plan to pursue tertiary education and wish to make meaningful impact as young leaders on the continent.
Across both programs, participants will enhance their academic skills, receive university admission and financial aid application guidance, and join a network of young leaders from across Africa. Students may attend only one session, but they can indicate their prefered session(s) on the YYAS application form.
| Application Deadline | January 21, 2026 |
| Type | College School |
| Sponsor | Yale Young Global Scholars |
Participants will enhance their academic skills, receive university admission and financial aid application guidance, and join a network of young leaders from across Africa.
English: You must be able to participate in a rigorous academic curriculum conducted in English.
Citizenship: You must be a citizen or permanent resident of an African country. YYAS will also accept applications from refugees living in an African country.
School location: You must currently attend school in an African country.
Grade Level: You must be a current 10th or 11th grade student (or the international equivalents).
Graduation date: If you attend school in the Northern Hemisphere, you must be graduating secondary school by earliest May/June 2027 and no later than May/June 2028. If you attend school in the Southern Hemisphere, you must be graduating secondary school by earliest November/December 2026 and no later than November/December 2027.
If you are currently in your final year or term of secondary school, have already graduated secondary school, or are a university student, then you are NOT eligible to apply.
YYAS Session Preferences
YYAS College Prep Workshop (online): The YYAS College Prep Workshop will offer admission to ~240 students, and is open to students across all countries in Africa. To participate, students must be able to access Zoom on their own mobile phone, tablet, and/or computer with reliable internet for the duration of the program. The program will focus on career exploration, preparing for the university application process, and making the transition from secondary school to university. Given the limited duration of the program, YYAS has strict attendance expectations where students are unable to miss even one day of the program. Students who successfully finish the program will receive a pdf YYAS Certificate of Completion that can be added to college and university applications. The YYAS College Prep Workshop (online) is entirely free of charge.
YYAS Summit (residential in Kenya): The YYAS Summit will offer admission to ~110 students, and is open to students across all countries in Africa. Students will reside on a residential school campus in Kenya for nine (9) days. The program will primarily focus on the same college prep topics as the online workshop in addition to leadership, innovation, design, and 21st century skills. Given the limited duration of the program, YYAS has strict attendance expectations where students are unable to miss even one day of the program. Students who successfully finish the program will receive a pdf YYAS Certificate of Completion that can be added to college and university applications. The YYAS Summit is tuitionfree ($0) and provides free housing, meals, and all academic curriculum materials.
TRAVEL: For the YYAS Summit (residential in Kenya), all students must be able to travel to and from Kenya, and all students will coordinate and pay/fundraise for any required travel documentation (such as passport, travel visa, etc.).
Regarding transportation (such as flights), there are a limited number of need-based Travel Grants available for students who are offered admission and live outside of Kenya. All applicants will automatically be reviewed for Travel Grant eligibility, and each offer of admission for the YYAS Summit will include information about whether or not a Travel Grant was provided (and then students and families can choose whether to accept or decline that offer of admission).
All students who do not receive/qualify for a Travel Grant must be able coordinate and pay/fundraise for their travel to and from Kenya.
Please contact YYAS if you have questions regarding assistance in traveling to/from the YYAS Summit and/or regarding connecting to fundraising resources.
Applicant Pool #1: Early Action
| Application Deadline | 11:59 PM ET on 20 October 2025 |
| Decision Release |
Notified of Admission Status by 11:59pm ET on 19 December 2025 |
| Deadline to Accept or Decline YYAS Offer | 11:59 PM ET on 5 January 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 11:59 PM ET on 21 January 2026 |
| Decision Release |
Notified of Admission Status by 11:59pm ET on 20 March 2026 |
| Deadline to Accept or Decline YYAS Offer | 11:59 PM ET on 25 March 2026 |
Check also:
Queen Elizabeth Scholarship (How to Apply)
Step 1: Review the YYAS eligibility criteria.
Step 2: Review the YYAS application required components.
Step 3: Review a PDF of a sample blank application, and start preparing to answer as many application questions as possible.
Step 4: You will need to submit contact information for a parent/guardian, teacher, and/or official at your school. Reach out to them as soon as possible to review the PDF of a sample blank application with you, and be sure to collect the information you need.
Step 5: Click APPLY NOW to start your YYAS application. Be sure to write down your email and password to access the application at a later time.
Step 6: Check the “Review” page of the application to see if you are missing any required components, and re-visit any pages that require further information.
Step 7: Once your application is complete, click on the “Review” page. Next click on the “Submit Application” button at the bottom of the page.
Step 8: Check your inbox for a YYAS confirmation receipt that indicates the successful submission of your application. Confirmation emails usually arrive within 24-48 hours of submission, due to occasional delays payment processing.
Contact YYAS Staff with questions as you complete the application. The earlier you contact them, the more likely that they can help you by the deadline.
For more details, visit Young African Scholar webpage
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