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Applications are now open for the 2025 Yale Young African Scholars Program. 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.
Opportunity Details
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. Details about YYAS 2025 and how to apply can be found here.
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 2025, YYAS will offer two programs…
​There are no tuition costs for participation in either program.
Over the course of both programs, participants will utilize various online platforms, including Zoom, to engage in seminars, lectures, and discussions. Additionally, each year the residential program will take place on a host campus in an African country. All relevant program information will be communicated directly to admitted participants.
Please note YYAS is not an undergraduate or graduate scholarship program.
There are no tuition costs for participation in either program.
Age: You must be between the ages of 14-18 years old on the program dates in 2025 in order to be considered (i.e. born between 18 August 2006 and 17 July 2011). 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 2026 and no later than May/June 2027. If you attend school in the Southern Hemisphere, you must be graduating secondary school by earliest November/December 2025 and no later than November/December 2026.
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.
Get Started:
| 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. |
Complete the Application:
| 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 us, the more likely that we can help you by the deadline.
Apply for Yale Young African Scholars Program for African Secondary School Students