Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) is an intensive academic and enrichment program designed for African secondary school students planning to pursue tertiary education and who wish to make meaningful impact as young leaders on the continent. Participants will enhance their academic skills, receive guidance on university admissions and career path options, and join a network of young leaders from across Africa.
In 2026, YYAS will offer two programs…
- Online College Prep Workshop
- Residential Leadership Summit (in Kenya)
Students can only be admitted to ONE of the programs (not both).
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.
Table of Content
Summary
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Benefits
- ?There are no tuition costs for participation in either program.
Requirements
- Age: You must be between the ages of 14-18 years old on the first day of the program (July 16) in 2026 in order to be considered. Please note that a typical YYAS student is between the ages of 16-17.
- 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.
If you are a YYAS or YYGS alumnus/a, you may NOT apply or reapply for YYAS. (*However, if you are a YYAS alumnus/a, you can apply to YYGS if eligible.)
Selection Process
- Admissions committee will give preference to high-achieving, low-income (i.e. “HALI”) students who do not have university guidance in their schools or communities.
Application Documents
The following three (3) components are required of all applicants:
- Completed application form - The application can be found online and must be filled out by the applicant. Students will be asked to complete one 500-word essay and two short responses, and must provide information on their extracurricular activities and the school that they currently attend.
- Official transcript or grade report(s) - A student transcript is an official document provided by the school and includes the applicant’s list of courses and grades received. Students must upload their official transcript or grade report(s) for each year of secondary school (in general, this is the international equivalent of grades 9, 10, and 11). National exam scores, if available, should also be submitted but are not required. If a student has changed secondary schools at any point, they must include records both from their previous AND their current school. Please refrain from uploading certificates or transcripts from primary school.
- One (1) teacher recommendation - The recommendation must be filled out via the Online Recommendation Form that will be sent to a teacher’s email after the student provides their contact details. An email will be sent with a link to the Form and instructions on how to fill it out. The recommendation must be written and submitted by a teacher who knows the student well. Recommendations from parents/guardians, siblings, relatives, family friends, and/or paid private tutors/counselors will NOT be accepted.
The Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) team strongly encourages applicants to review the SAMPLE blank application for YYAS 2026 below.
As you read through them, look for:
- Personal, household, and financial information you may need to provide
- Coursework, grades, and letters of recommendation needed from your school(s)
- Essays you will need to write
- Additional information that will help YYAS staff get to know you
2026 YYAS Application - Sample PDF
Application Deadline
January 21, 2026How To Apply
Are you qualified and interested in this opportunity? Kindly go to
Yale University on apply.globalscholars.yale.edu to apply
Questions? Please email at [email protected].
For more information, kindly visit Yale University scholarship webpage.
