The Ashinaga Africa Initiative (AAI) is a program that is passionately committed to empowering orphaned students from Sub-Saharan Africa by providing them with the life-changing opportunity to pursue higher education abroad. Since its establishment in 2014, AAI has been steadfast in its mission to contribute to the region's pivotal role in global development by significantly increasing access to quality education. This groundbreaking initiative goes above and beyond by offering comprehensive financial support, encompassing tuition, accommodation, travel expenses, and all other necessary fees, to deserving students who are dedicated to returning to their home countries and effecting positive change within their communities.
What is the Ashinaga Africa Initiative?
The Ashinaga Africa Initiative aims to support orphaned students from Sub-Saharan Africa by providing them with access to higher education abroad. This support includes full financial coverage for tuition, accommodation, travel costs, and other necessary fees, ensuring that students can focus on their studies and future contributions to their home countries.
Who Can Apply for the Ashinaga Africa Initiative?
To be eligible for the Ashinaga Africa Initiative, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Have lost one or both parents.
- Have completed secondary school and received the results of their national secondary school examinations within the last two years or will have completed secondary school and received final exam results before February 9th, 2024.
- Be born after September 1st, 2001.
- Not having the means to attend university abroad without external financial support.
- Be proficient in English, French, or Portuguese.
- Be regularly ranked in the top 10% of their class during the last 2-3 years of secondary school.
- Be able to participate in the two Ashinaga preparatory programs over one year before attending university.
- Be committed to returning home, or to Sub-Saharan Africa, and contributing to society in Sub-Saharan Africa after graduating.
- Have no dependents who could interfere with academic progress.
- Be in good health to study abroad.
How to Apply for the Ashinaga Africa Initiative?
- Gather all the required documents.
- Scan the required documents in either PDF or JPG format.
- Apply online through the provided portal.
What Documents Are Needed for the Application?
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- Registration Documents: Passport, national ID card, or birth certificate; most recent high school term report/transcript; final high school examination results.
- Full Application Documents: Passport-style photograph, national ID card, birth certificate, death certificate of deceased parent(s), school transcripts from the last two years, final examination certificate, recommendation letter, academic transcripts (if applicable), and certificates for extracurricular activities (if applicable).
Which Countries are Eligible for the Ashinaga Africa Initiative?
Applicants must have citizenship and have completed/are completing high school in one of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, CAR, Cameroon, Chad, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, DRC, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Kenya, Kingdom of eSwatini, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, São Tomé and PrÃncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Seychelles, Sudan, Tanzania, The Gambia, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Selection Process for the Ashinaga Africa Initiative
All applications will be assessed after the deadline, and successful applicants will be invited to a final assessment. This assessment includes individual interviews and an examination to better understand the students’ academic abilities and career goals. Applicants must bring all original academic documents and identification documents to the interview.
FAQs About the Ashinaga Africa Initiative
How many students do you select per country?
- Ashinaga selects about one student per country per year to ensure quality and sustainability.
Why is the age limit 23?
- To prioritize young people and due to visa application challenges for students aged 23 or older.
Why is the scholarship only for orphans?
- Ashinaga focuses on supporting orphaned young people, investing significant resources in each selected student.
Why only undergraduate level?
- Many other organizations offer funding for master's degrees, so Ashinaga prioritizes undergraduate studies.
How will my university/country of study be decided?
- Decided during the Ashinaga Study Camp based on various criteria including visa and language requirements.
If I applied last year, can I apply again?
- Yes, as long as you still meet the requirements.
I do not have one of the required documents. What should I do?
- All required documents are necessary, particularly proof of age and proof of the death of a parent. Alternative official documents can be considered.
I am from a French-speaking country but want to study in English. Can I still apply?
- Yes, you may apply if your English proficiency is sufficient.
What is the registration form for?
- To register applicants in Ashinaga’s system and determine eligibility.
What is required for the Full Application and what does it assess?
- Academic performance, challenges faced, future plans, and leadership potential are assessed through essays and responses to questions.
What is assessed during the Ashinaga Assessment Day?
- Knowledge, aptitude, challenges faced, future planning, and initiative through an examination and interviews.
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