Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) 2027

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) is a short, free university-preparation programme run by Yale University for secondary school learners in Africa. Yale is clear that it is not a bursary: YYAS pays no fees at any university. What it offers is about a week of teaching on university admissions, financial aid applications, career choices and leadership, and a network of peers from across the continent. YYAS is a sister programme of Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) and runs under its umbrella.

Two ways to take part in 2027

Applicants can state a preference, but each student is admitted to only one of the two programmes. Attendance rules are strict: YYAS expects students at every session, and those who complete the programme receive a PDF certificate of completion to add to university applications. Online participants need their own phone, tablet or computer with reliable internet for Zoom.

Travel to Rwanda is the family’s cost

For the summit, each student must arrange and pay for passports, visas and other travel documents. YYAS has a limited number of need-based travel grants for flights, and every applicant is considered for one automatically. The admission offer states whether a grant is included, so a family can decline if the cost is too high. YYAS plans free shuttles from Kigali International Airport to the host school for students arriving by air.

Age, grade and Matric year

• Aged 14 to 18 on 15 July 2027; most participants are 16 or 17.
• A citizen or permanent resident of an African country, or a refugee living in one, and currently at school in Africa.
• Currently in Grade 10 or 11 or the equivalent.
• For schools in the Southern Hemisphere, finishing school no earlier than November/December 2027 and no later than November/December 2028.
• Able to cope with a demanding programme taught in English.
• Not already a YYAS or YYGS alumnus, not in the final year of school, not a school graduate and not a university student.

In South African terms, that means learners who will write Matric in 2027 or 2028: this year’s Grade 10 and 11 learners. Because the South African school year turns over in January, a learner who applies in January 2027 as a new Grade 12 should confirm eligibility with YYAS before applying. There are no minimum marks or test scores. YYAS gives preference to high-achieving, low-income learners who lack university guidance at school or at home.

Early Action or Regular Decision

All deadlines are at 11:59pm US Eastern Time, which is already the following morning in South Africa. Applications are read on a rolling basis, but decisions are only released once a whole pool has been reviewed. An Early Action applicant can be deferred to the regular round, and waitlisted applicants may hear between April and July 2027. The 15 July 2027 date that appears in the eligibility rules is the first day of the programme, not an application deadline.

What goes into the application

• The online form, with an activities list, one essay of 300 to 400 words and two short answers of 150 to 200 words each.
• Official school reports for every year of secondary school (Yale says this is generally the equivalent of grades 9, 10 and 11), including reports from any previous school.
• One teacher recommendation, submitted by the teacher through YYAS’s online form. Recommendations from parents, relatives, family friends or paid tutors are refused.
• Contact details for a parent or guardian, and household and financial information.

Yale publishes a sample blank application so learners can draft answers before starting. Only the online portal is accepted; emailed or posted PDFs are not. Learners aged 16 to 18 by 18 July 2027 can tick a box to be considered for YYGS on Yale’s campus in the United States as well, but that route charges tuition with need-based aid and requires a financial aid form. Full details are on the YYAS eligibility page and timeline page.

Learners looking for money for school or university should see our list of high school bursaries and scholarships, the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation high school scholarship and the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship.

FAQs