About this opportunity
YYAS exists because talent across Africa is plentiful and information about how to move from secondary school to a funded university place is not. Over the program, participants build academic skills, get guidance on university applications and financial aid, and join a network of young leaders from across the continent. You can only attend one session, but you can list your preferred sessions on the application form.
The online College Prep Workshop runs from 15 to 20 July 2027 and admits around 240 students. It is entirely free of charge, and the only technical requirement is that you can access Zoom on your own mobile phone, tablet or computer with reliable Internet for the duration. The residential Leadership Summit runs from 7 to 15 August 2027 and admits around 110 students for nine days on a residential campus. It covers the same college preparation topics and adds leadership, innovation, design and 21st century skills. The summit is tuition free at $0, and housing, meals and all academic curriculum materials are provided.
Travel is the part you plan yourself. Summit students must be able to travel to and from the host country, and each student coordinates and funds or raises money for their own travel documents, such as a passport or a visa. That is a real consideration for many families, so it is worth starting early if you aim for the residential track.
Eligibility
is specific, so check it before you invest time. You must be 14 to 18 years old on 15 July 2027, with the typical participant aged 16 or 17.
You must be a citizen or permanent resident of an African country, and refugees living in an African country are welcome. You must currently attend school in an African country and be in 10th or 11th grade.
If you are in your final year, have already finished secondary school, or are already at university, you cannot apply, and previous YYAS and YYGS participants are also excluded.
What you receive
- No tuition cost for either the online workshop or the residential summit
- Free housing, meals and all academic curriculum materials at the residential Leadership Summit
- Guidance on university admission applications and financial aid applications
- Academic skills development in a rigorous curriculum delivered in English
- Leadership, innovation, design and 21st century skills content on the residential track
- A permanent network of young leaders from across Africa
Who can apply
- You are between 14 and 18 years old on 15 July 2027, with the typical participant aged 16 to 17
- You are a citizen or permanent resident of an African country, and refugees living in an African country may apply
- You currently attend school in an African country
- You are a current 10th or 11th grade student, or the equivalent in your system
- If you attend school in the Northern Hemisphere, you graduate secondary school no earlier than May or June 2028 and no later than May or June 2029
- If you attend school in the Southern Hemisphere, you graduate secondary school no earlier than November or December 2027 and no later than November or December 2028
- You can take part in a rigorous academic curriculum conducted in English
Who should not apply
- Students in their final year or term of secondary school are not eligible
- Students who have already graduated from secondary school are not eligible
- University students are not eligible
- Previous participants of the Yale Young African Scholars Program and other Yale Young Global Scholars programs are not eligible
- You may attend only one session, so you cannot stack the online workshop and the residential summit
Documents to prepare
- A completed online application on the official YYAS application portal
- Academic records and school information as requested in the application form
- Responses on your leadership experience, communication skills and interest in African intellectual, moral and political issues
- For the residential track, a valid passport and any travel visa you need, arranged and funded by the student
How to apply
- Read the eligibility rules on the official program page at https://africanscholars.yale.edu/overview and confirm your grade level, age on 15 July 2027 and graduation window
- Open an application on the official portal at https://apply.globalscholars.yale.edu/apply/?sr=0d898c5f-198d-43dd-a47a-e261962b48b9
- Indicate your preferred session, since you may attend only one of the online workshop or the residential summit
- Submit by 11:59 PM ET on 20 October 2026 if you are applying in the Early Action pool, or by 11:59 PM ET on 20 January 2027 for Regular Decision
- Watch for your admission decision, which arrives by 11:59 PM ET on 18 December 2026 for Early Action and by 11:59 PM ET on 20 March 2027 for Regular Decision
- Accept or decline your offer by 11:59 PM ET on 5 January 2027 for Early Action, or by 11:59 PM ET on 25 March 2027 for Regular Decision
Selection process
- Early Action applications close at 11:59 PM ET on 20 October 2026, with admission status notified by 11:59 PM ET on 18 December 2026 and acceptance or decline due by 11:59 PM ET on 5 January 2027
- Regular Decision applications close at 11:59 PM ET on 20 January 2027, with admission status notified by 11:59 PM ET on 20 March 2027 and acceptance or decline due by 11:59 PM ET on 25 March 2027
- Selection looks for excellent academic records, demonstrated leadership potential, strong written and verbal communication, the ability to work cooperatively with peers, persistence, high standards of conduct, and maturity in discussing intellectual, moral and political issues in Africa
- Around 240 students are admitted to the online College Prep Workshop and around 110 to the residential Leadership Summit
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Does YYAS cost anything?
There are no tuition costs for either program. The online College Prep Workshop is entirely free, and the residential Leadership Summit is tuition free at $0 with housing, meals and curriculum materials provided.
Who pays for travel to the residential summit?
You do. All students must be able to travel to and from the host country, and each student coordinates and pays or raises funds for required travel documents such as a passport or visa.
I am in my last year of secondary school. Can I apply?
No. Students in their final year or term, students who have already graduated, and university students are not eligible. You should be a current 10th or 11th grader.
Can I do both the online workshop and the residential summit?
No. Students may attend only one session, though you can indicate your preferred sessions on the application form.
What happens after I am admitted?
You accept or decline by the deadline for your pool, 5 January 2027 for Early Action and 25 March 2027 for Regular Decision. The online workshop runs 15 to 20 July 2027 and the residential summit runs 7 to 15 August 2027.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
