FALL 2016 MASTERS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
PLEASE NOTE: This application is for MASTERS applicants only.
The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at Michigan State University for masters students is open
to students who have already completed a bachelors degree at an African university and are residents or
citizens of an African country. This program targets academically qualified yet economically
disadvantaged young people in Africa who will contribute to the transformation of the continent. For
more information on this program and the qualifications, please visit www.mcfscholars.isp.msu.edu.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. In order to apply for a MasterCard Foundation Scholarship at Michigan State University, you MUST
first apply to the desired masters program through the department that hosts your program and
thereafter be nominated for a MasterCard Foundation Scholarship by a faculty member therein.
Only students who have been admitted to on-campus Masters Programs are eligible for this
scholarship. A list of graduate programs is available via the following website:
http://grad.msu.edu/departments. IMPORTANT: Please save your Applicant ID and password during
the MSU application process, as you will need your ID to complete the MCF Scholarship Application.
2. Make arrangements to take an English Proficiency Exam (TOEFL or IELTS) and any other
examinations (for example GRE or GMAT) which the department or program to which you are
applying requires. Students are strongly encouraged to take these exams no later than earlyDecember 2015 in order for MSU to receive scores promptly.
3. Ensure that the department receives all required supporting documents and official test scores by 1
February 2016. Each department sets its own criteria for admission. Read the department's website
carefully and then follow the department’s instructions for graduate admission. Make arrangements
to send all required official academic documents, letters of support, official test scores, etc. as
indicated by the department and on the Application for Graduate Admission. Only students
admitted to Michigan State University will be considered for this scholarship. You should
communicate directly with the appropriate graduate department regarding the status of your
application.
4. Complete this scholarship application and send it to your graduate department; it should arrive no
later than 1 February 2016. If submitting a hand-written scholarship application, ensure that the
document is clearly legible.
OVERALL TIMELINE (For August 2016 intake):
1 FEBRUARY 2016
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at MSU Master’s Scholarship
Application deadline. In addition, application for graduate admission and all
supporting academic materials (official transcripts, mark sheets, external exams,
test scores, letter of recommendation) received by MSU by this date.
MARCH 2016
Finalist Interviews
12 APRIL 2016
Notification of Scholarship Status
29 APRIL 2016
Awardee decision due date
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Please email further inquiries regarding this scholarship to: mcfs@msu.edu.
PERSONAL / FAMILY INFORMATION
1. Date of application (MM/DD/YYYY): _______________________________________________
2. Family name and given names:___________________________________________________
3. Name you prefer to be called: ___________________________________________________
4. Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY): ___________________________________________________
5. Gender: Male ___ Female___
6. MSU Applicant ID: ____________________________________________________________
7. Address where you reside (when not at school)
_____________________________________________________________________________
8. Email address: _______________________________________________________________
9A. Where do you access the Internet? _____________________________________________
9B. How often are you typically able to access the Internet? _____________________________
9C. Do you own a smartphone? YES___ NO___
9D. If so which model? ___________________________________________________________
10. Provide one or more telephone number(s) where we may reach you below. In each instance please
identify whether the number is a landline or mobile phone line and whose phone it is. If at all possible,
please provide at least one landline number where you can be reached.
Contact
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Relationship
Phone Number
Landline or Mobile
Phone?
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11A. Parents’ Education and Employment
Parent
Name
Mother
Occupation (please
be specific, even if
self-employed )
Employer/Workplace
Highest Level
of Education
Estimated
Annual
Wages in
local
currency
Estimated
Annual
Wages in
U.S.
Currency
Father
11B. If parents are deceased, please state name, relationship to you and occupation and workplace of
those who raised you (legal guardian) before you attended university.
Legal Guardian
Name
Relationship to
You
Estimated
Annual
Wages (local
currency)
Occupation
Workplace
Estimated
Annual
Wages
(U.S.
currency)
12. Applicant Employment. If you have already graduated from university, please list all forms of
employment since degree completion.
Time Period
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Occupation (please be specific, even
if self-employed )
Employer/Workplace
Estimated Annual
Wages (local
currency and U.S.
currency)
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13A. If currently attending university, amount of your current university fees (inclusive of all top-up fees
and levies and boarding fees) for the first term in Fall 2014 (in local currency and U.S. currency).
_____________________________________________________________________________
13B. Who currently pays for your school fees? ________________________________________
13C. Are you on any bursary/scholarship? (please mark with an X): YES ____ NO ____
If so, how much does the bursary cover? ____________________________________________
13D. Have you ever stopped attending university because of finances? (please mark with an X):
YES ____
NO ____
If yes, please explain: ___________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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14. List the names of your direct siblings, their ages, gender, and whether or not they are in school. If
they are in school, also provide the name of the school, grade/form/level in school, cost of their school
fees, and how much of the school fees are funded by your family. Attach additional pages if required.
Sibling
1
2
3
4
5
Name
Age
Gender
Living at Home (Yes
or No)?
In School (Yes or
No)?
Grade/Form/
Level Currently or
Highest Completed
School Name
Annual Cost of
School Fees
Currently or When
Left
Family’s Financial
Contribution to
Educational Costs
Currently
Employed?
Employer
Annual Wages
(local currency)
15. Do any of your relatives have an association with Michigan State University? If so, please provide
their name, relationship with you, and how they are affiliated with Michigan State (current student,
alum, professor, employee, etc.).
Name
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Relationship
Affiliation with MSU
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16A. Have you every traveled outside your home country?
YES _____
NO _____
16B. If yes, please indicate when this was, where you traveled as well as the length and purpose of the
trip.
Destination
When
Duration
Purpose
17. Do your parents own their home (please mark with an X)?
YES _____
NO _____
17B. Do you own your home (please mark with an X)?
YES _____
NO _____
18A. Do you or your parents own a car (please mark with an X): YES ____
NO ____
18B. If yes, list the year, make (e.g., Honda, Toyota) and model (E.g., Civic, Prado) and year of each car.
Year
Vehicle Make
Vehicle Model
Owner
18C. Keeping in mind the prevailing conditions in the country in which you were born and/or raised, how
would you characterize your family’s economic background?
_____ Extremely Poor
_____ Lower Middle Class
_____ Middle Class
_____ Upper Middle Class
_____ Affluent
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19. What else should we know about your background, your family and your financial condition?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
ACADEMIC BACKROUND AND ACTIVITIES
20. List all schools/universities attended, school location (including city/country) and which grades/form
completed, and the reason you left that school, if applicable.
School
City/Country
Grade/Form/
Year Completed
Who paid school
fees?
Reason for leaving
21. List all clubs, sports and activities in which you have participated over the last 3 years while in
university, in your community and/or within religious organizations. List approximately how many hours
per week you have been involved in each activity. Attach an extra sheet if required.
Activity/Year
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Description
Hours Involved
Each Week
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22. Please select one of the above activities that was most meaningful to you and explain why in the
space below.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
23. List any leadership positions you have held at school and note in which year you held that position
(e.g., president/secretary of a club, team captain, etc.).
Leadership Position
Description
Year
24. List academic prizes or other honors which you have received.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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SHORT ESSAY QUESTIONS
These questions help us get to know you better. Please take time to answer them carefully, honestly and
completely (up to 300 words each).
1. What are your post-graduation career plans and why are they relevant to your country and the
African Continent? Do you plan to go back and give back following graduation?
2. Being actively engaged is an important aspect of The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program.
a. What is your responsibility to your community, country, and the African continent?
b. In what ways do you currently give back?
c. How do you see yourself giving back in the future?
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SHORT ESSAY QUESTIONS (continued)
These questions help us get to know you better. Please take time to answer them carefully, honestly, and
completely (up to 300 words each).
3. What do you find particularly appealing about The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program?
4. Describe a situation where you had to overcome a significant obstacle/challenge(s) to reach a
goal. How did you react to this challenge, and what did you learn from this situation?
5. Describe in a succinct manner how the economic background and community from you hail
have influenced you.
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6. What else should we know about you that would strengthen your application for this
scholarship?
Michigan State University is committed to administering all educational policies and activities without
discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, handicap or gender.
SIGNATURE
I certify that all of the answers I have given in this application are complete and accurate to the best of
my knowledge and, if admitted, I agree to observe all the rules and regulations of Michigan State
University. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action. I agree that all documents submitted as part
of this application must be authentic and that any falsification of admission and/or academic records
through omission or misstatement by me in this application may result in cancellation of my admission
and/or other disciplinary action by Michigan State University.
Furthermore, I understand that this information and my university records may be reported to The
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program and used for evaluation and other program purposes. All
information will be kept in strict confidence and will not be released in any way that would permit
individual identification. I authorize release and use of this information, as described above, to The
MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program.
Applicant Signature: ____________________________________________ Date: _________________
Applicant Full Name: __________________________________________________________________
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