Yale Young African Scholars 2027: Tuition-Free Online Workshop or Rwanda Summit for African Secondary Students, Deadline 20 January

The Yale Young African Scholars 2027 programme is open for its second and final application round, and it costs nothing in tuition. Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) is Yale University's college-preparation and leadership programme for secondary school students who attend school in Africa. Applications for Regular Decision close at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 20 January 2027.

The Early Action round closed on 20 October 2026, so Regular Decision is now the only way in for the 2027 cohort.

Yale Young African Scholars 2027 at a glance

• Organiser: Yale University, through its Yale Young African Scholars programme.
• Who it is for: students in 10th or 11th grade (or the equivalent) at a school in an African country.
• Cost: no tuition for either programme.
• Deadline: 20 January 2027, 11:59 PM ET (Regular Decision).
• Decisions: by 11:59 PM ET on 20 March 2027. Admitted students must reply by 25 March 2027.

Two ways to take part

Online College Prep Workshop

A six-day online programme from 15 to 20 July 2027 for about 240 students from across Africa. It is entirely free. You need a reliable internet connection and access to Zoom.

Residential Leadership Summit in Rwanda

A nine-day residential programme from 7 to 15 August 2027, held in Rwanda, for about 110 students. Tuition is free, and the programme provides housing, meals and all academic materials. Participants must pay or raise money for their own travel and travel documents, such as a passport or visa. YYAS says limited need-based travel grants are available for some students.

Both programmes cover university preparation, including guidance on admissions and financial aid applications. The summit adds sessions on leadership, innovation, design and other skills. Students attend only one session but can list their preferences on the application.

Eligibility

According to the official YYAS eligibility page, you must:

• be between 14 and 18 years old on the first day of the programme, 15 July 2027;
• be a current 10th or 11th grade student, or the international equivalent;
• currently attend school in an African country;
• be a citizen or permanent resident of an African country (refugees living in an African country may also apply);
• be able to take part in a rigorous academic curriculum taught in English.

There is also a graduation window. If your school is in the Northern Hemisphere, you must finish secondary school no earlier than May/June 2028 and no later than May/June 2029. In the Southern Hemisphere, the window is November/December 2027 to November/December 2028. Students in their final year or term, school leavers and university students cannot apply.

YYAS says its admissions committee gives preference to high-achieving, low-income students who lack university guidance in their schools or communities.

How to apply

1. Read the eligibility rules and check your graduation year carefully. This is where most applicants trip up.
2. Decide which session you prefer: the online workshop, the summit in Rwanda, or both in order of preference.
3. If you prefer the summit, plan now for travel costs and a passport, and note that travel grants are limited.
4. Complete the online application on the official Yale Global Scholars portal before 11:59 PM ET on 20 January 2027.
5. Watch for a decision by 20 March 2027 and reply by 25 March if you are admitted.

Tips for a stronger application

YYAS publishes sample application forms from past years on its website. Reading one before you start shows the kind of short-answer questions you will face. Write about something you have actually done in your school or community, and be specific about what changed because of it. A teacher who knows you well is more useful than a famous name.

Time zones matter. The deadline is in US Eastern Time, which is six hours behind West Africa Time in January. Submit at least a day early to avoid a slow connection costing you the year. If you are also preparing for university abroad later, our guide to funded deadlines before February 2027 lists other calls worth bookmarking.

Why it is worth your time

Few programmes for African secondary students come from a university of Yale's profile with no tuition fee. The online workshop is free in full, which makes it accessible to students who cannot travel. The real value is guidance: help understanding how admissions and financial aid work abroad, at the age when it is still early enough to plan.

Share this with a student, teacher or parent who should see it before 20 January.