Overview
YYAS 2024 Program Dates:YYAS College Prep Workshop (online; 6 days): 18-23 July 2024 *YYAS Leadership Summit (residential in Zimbabwe; 10 days): 12-21 August 2024 ** |
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. Following the program, students will be paired with mentors who will help advise them throughout the university application process.
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.
2024 Update
In 2024, YYAS will offer an online program option and a residential program option. There are no tuition costs for participation in either program.
* YYAS Workshop (online): The YYAS 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 and Canvas 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 Workshop (online) is entirely free of charge.
** YYAS Summit (residential in Zimbabwe): The YYAS Summit will offer admission to ~120 students, and is open to students across all countries in Africa. Students will reside on a residential school campus in Zimbabwe for ten (10) 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 Zimbabwe), all students must be able to travel to and from Zimbabwe, 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 Zimbabwe. 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 Zimbabwe.
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:
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 >>