Ashinaga Africa Initiative (Undergraduate Scholarships)

Ashinaga is a Japan-based nonprofit organization, which provides educational and emotional support to orphaned students. The organization has supported over 95,000 orphans in the last 45 years, and many of its graduates are actively contributing to society in a variety of fields across the world.
The Ashinaga Africa Initiative began in 2014. Its mission is to contribute to Sub-Saharan Africa’s expanding role in global development through increasing access to higher education abroad. Ashinaga supports orphaned students who are committed to returning home and initiating change by providing access to full financial support to study at a university abroad (equivalent to an undergraduate degree), including tuition, room, travel cost and other necessary fees.

Scholarship Overview

The mission of the Ashinaga Africa Initiative is to contribute to Africa’s development by providing orphaned students with the education, networks, and opportunities necessary for them to become leaders in their home countries.
Ashinaga invests in students who desire to study internationally and then return to their home countries with the aim of making a positive difference in their communities.
This initiative finances undergraduate education abroad, also providing assistance in completing school applications, as well as career guidance and mentorship.

Host School(s)

Ashinaga hopes to send students to higher education institutions outside Africa. Ashinaga will work with students to determine which countries are appropriate for their intended major as well as the likelihood they will be accepted based on their high school diploma and exam results.

Field(s) of Study

What does the scholarship cover?

This scholarship covers:

How many scholarships are given?

The Ashinaga Africa Initiative searches for and screens potential candidates from among orphaned or bereaved students with academic potential who cannot afford to apply to university.

Which countries are targeted?

Anglophone and Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) countries:

Angola, Botswana, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana. Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Francophone countries:

Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Cote d’Ivôire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea Conakry, Madagascar, Mauritania, Niger, Republic of Congo, Senegal, Togo.

Am I Eligible to Apply?

Applications are open to those who:

Are orphans, and have lost one or both parents.
Have completed 12 years of education (primary and secondary school) within the last two years, or those who will complete 12 years of education by December 31, 2017.
Are 23 years or younger, having been born after October 1, 1995.
Do not have the financial means to attend university
Are proficient in English.
Have an outstanding academic performance at high school.
Are able to participate in the two Ashinaga preparatory programs, over the course of one year, before attending university.
Are willing to return home, or to Sub-Saharan Africa, and contribute to society in Sub-Saharan Africa after graduating from university.
Have no dependents who could interfere with academic progress.
Are in good health condition and capable of studying abroad.

How do I Apply – Next Steps

You can either apply online, by email or via post. Online and email applications are however preferred.
Note that there is no application fee required.

The required documents in the application package include:

A completed application form that includes a working email address and telephone number
Document(s) proving the death of one or both parents, such as a death certificate
Proof of age, such as a birth certificate, national ID card or passport
Final examination results
All academic report cards from the last two years of secondary/high school
A recommendation letter from a teacher or principal at your previous school
Passport size photos of yourself
Awards or activity certificates, if available
Two essays, as described below. You must write the essays yourself.
- Essay 1: Please describe how you grew up, and the experience of losing your parent(s). What challenges have you faced after the loss and what and how did you do in order to overcome them? Please write in detail, highlighting the action you took to further your education. (Maximum 500 words)
- Essay 2: Please describe the goals you wish to achieve after your graduation from a university abroad. Outline how the knowledge and skills you will gain from a university degree will help you reach your goals once you return to your home country in Sub-Saharan Africa. (Maximum 500 words)

Closing Date

How do I get more information?