Overview
YYAS 2025 Program Dates:YYAS Online College Prep Workshop (6 days): 17 - 22 July 2025YYAS Residential Leadership Summit (Kenya; 9 days): 9 - 17 August 2025 |
Yale Young African Scholars(YYAS) is an intensive academic and enrichment program designed for African secondary school students who plan to pursue tertiary education and wish to make meaningful impact as young leaders on the continent.
Across both programs, participants will enhance their academic skills, receive university admission and financial aid application guidance, and join a network of young leaders from across Africa. Students may attend only one session, but they can indicate their prefered session(s) on the YYAS application form.
All eligible students are encouraged to apply, however please note that our admissions committee will give preference to high-achieving, low-income (i.e. “HALI”) students who do not have university guidance in their schools or communities.
2025 Update
In 2025, YYAS will continue to offer an online program option and a residential program option. There are no tuition costs for participation in either program.
YYAS College Prep Workshop (online): The YYAS College Prep Workshop will offer admission to ~200 students, and is open to students across all countries in Africa. To participate, students must be able to access Zoom on their own mobile phone, tablet, and/or computer with reliable internet for the duration of the program. The program will focus on career exploration, preparing for the university application process, and making the transition from secondary school to university. Given the limited duration of the program, YYAS has strict attendance expectations where students are unable to miss even one day of the program. Students who successfully finish the program will receive a pdf YYAS Certificate of Completion that can be added to college and university applications. The YYAS College Prep Workshop (online) is entirely free of charge.
YYAS Residential Leadership Summit (Kenya): The YYAS Residential Leadership Summit will offer admission to ~100 students, and is open to students across all countries in Africa. Students will reside on a residential school campus in Kenya for nine (9) days. The program will focus on the same college prep topics as the online workshop in addition to leadership, innovation, design, and 21st century skills. Given the limited duration of the program, YYAS has strict attendance expectations where students are unable to miss even one day of the program. Students who successfully finish the program will receive a pdf YYAS Certificate of Completion that can be added to college and university applications. The YYAS Summit is tuition-free ($0) and provides free housing, meals, and all academic curriculum materials.
TRAVEL: For the YYAS Summit (residential in Kenya), all students must be able to travel to and from Kenya, and all students will coordinate and pay/fundraise for any required travel documentation (such as passport, travel visa, etc.).
Regarding transportation (such as flights), there are a limited number of need-based Travel Grants available for students who are offered admission and live outside of Kenya. All applicants will automatically be reviewed for Travel Grant eligibility, and each offer of admission for the YYAS Summit will include information about whether or not a Travel Grant was provided (and then students and families can choose whether to accept or decline that offer of admission).
All students who do not receive/qualify for a Travel Grant must be able coordinate and pay/fundraise for their travel to and from Kenya.
Please contact YYAS if you have questions regarding assistance in traveling to/from the YYAS Summit and/or regarding connecting to fundraising resources.
Learn more about past programs:
2024 program Online and in Zimbabwe>>
2023 program Online and in Zimbabwe>>
2019 program in Ghana, Kenya, and Zimbabwe >>
2018 program in Ghana and Rwanda>>
2017 program in Ghana, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe >>
2016 program in Ghana, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe >>