FAWE Ghana Mastercard Foundation Second Chance Bursary 2026/2027: 200 Fully Funded Tertiary Bursaries for Marginalized Young Ghanaians
FAWE Ghana Second Chance Pathways Bursary Programme 2026/2027
The Forum for African Women Educationalists Ghana Chapter (FAWE Ghana), under the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme, has opened applications for the third cohort of its Second Chance Pathways for Increased Access to Tertiary Education for Marginalized Young Women and Men Programme for the 2026/2027 academic year.
The programme is designed to support brilliant but marginalized young people in Ghana who have the academic qualifications to pursue tertiary education but face financial barriers that could prevent them from continuing their studies.
For the 2026/2027 academic year, 200 fully funded bursaries are available to successful applicants. The programme places a strong emphasis on increasing access to tertiary education for young women and other marginalized groups across Ghana.
The bursary supports eligible students to study STEM-related programmes at selected partner TVET institutions, leading to either a three-year Higher National Diploma (HND) or a two-year Diploma, depending on the programme selected.
Application Deadline: 21 August 2026
About the FAWE Ghana Second Chance Pathways Programme
The Second Chance Pathways programme is an education access initiative implemented by FAWE Ghana under the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme.
The initiative seeks to help marginalized young people overcome financial and social barriers to tertiary education.
Many young people in Ghana complete their secondary education and qualify for tertiary education but struggle to continue because of financial difficulties. The cost of tuition, learning materials, transportation, accommodation, and other education-related expenses can make tertiary education inaccessible to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Through this bursary programme, FAWE Ghana is providing selected young people with an opportunity to pursue tertiary-level education at partner institutions without having to bear the full financial burden of their studies.
The third cohort will provide 200 fully funded bursaries for the 2026/2027 academic year.
What the FAWE Ghana Bursary Offers
A total of 200 fully funded bursaries will be awarded under the programme.
The available bursaries are distributed as follows:
- 80% reserved for female applicants
- 20% reserved for male applicants
- 5–15% allocated to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
- 5–15% allocated to applicants with refugee status or who are internally displaced persons (IDPs)
The programme therefore provides a particular opportunity for young women while also encouraging applications from other marginalized groups.
Successful beneficiaries will be supported to pursue eligible STEM-related programmes at FAWE Ghana’s partner TVET institutions.
Depending on the programme, students may pursue:
- A 3-year Higher National Diploma (HND); or
- A 2-year Diploma.
Who Should Apply?
The bursary is intended for brilliant but marginalized young people in Ghana who have completed the required secondary education, qualify for tertiary education, and demonstrate financial need.
The opportunity is particularly relevant to young people who have the academic ability and motivation to pursue tertiary education but may struggle to do so because of their financial or social circumstances.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the FAWE Ghana/Mastercard Foundation Second Chance Pathways bursary, applicants must meet the stated requirements.
1. Educational Qualification
Applicants must have completed either:
- WASSCE, or
- Certificate II
Applicants must also qualify for tertiary education based on their academic qualifications.
2. Financial Need
Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
The programme is intended to support young people who may otherwise face significant barriers to accessing tertiary education because of their financial circumstances.
Information provided by applicants regarding their household and living conditions may be verified by FAWE Ghana.
Applicants should therefore provide accurate and truthful information throughout the application process.
3. Age Requirement
Applicants must be between 15 and 25 years old at the time of application.
4. Location
The programme is available across all 16 regions of Ghana.
Young people from any region of Ghana who meet the eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply.
5. Tertiary Admission Requirement
Applicants must have already gained admission into one of FAWE Ghana’s eleven partner institutions.
This is an important requirement because the bursary does not appear to be intended for applicants who are still waiting for admission.
Partner Institutions
The bursary is available to eligible applicants admitted to one of FAWE Ghana’s 11 partner institutions:
- Accra Technical University
- Bolgatanga Technical University
- Cape Coast Technical University
- Dr. Hilla Limann Technical University
- Ho Technical University
- Koforidua Technical University
- Kumasi Technical University
- Sunyani Technical University
- Takoradi Technical University
- Tamale Technical University
- University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (USTED)
Applicants should ensure that their admission is from one of these approved partner institutions before submitting an application.
Programmes Supported
The FAWE Ghana bursary supports students studying STEM-related programmes at its partner TVET institutions.
The programme provides support for either:
- Three-year Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes, or
- Two-year Diploma programmes.
Applicants should confirm that their specific programme qualifies under the STEM-related programme requirements before completing their application.
Who Is Strongly Encouraged to Apply?
FAWE Ghana specifically encourages applications from young people experiencing particular forms of marginalization or disadvantage.
These include:
Young People Living With Disabilities
Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The programme has allocated 5–15% of the bursary opportunities to Persons with Disabilities and other specified marginalized groups.
Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons
Young people with refugee status or those who are internally displaced are also strongly encouraged to apply.
Orphans
Applicants who are orphans are encouraged to apply, particularly where their circumstances create financial barriers to tertiary education.
Young People From Single-Parent Households
Applicants from single-parent families are also encouraged to apply.
Young People Affected by HIV/AIDS in the Family
Young people who are living with or affected by a family situation involving HIV/AIDS are specifically encouraged to apply.
Young People Facing Serious Financial Difficulties
Applicants experiencing extenuating financial difficulties are strongly encouraged to submit an application.
Community Service and Giving Back
Successful applicants must demonstrate a commitment to giving back to their communities through service and development.
Applicants should consider how their education and future professional development can contribute to the improvement of their communities.
The programme therefore goes beyond simply providing financial assistance for education. It seeks to support young people who can use their education and skills to contribute positively to their communities.
Important Restrictions
Prospective applicants should carefully note that the bursary programme does not support every type of tertiary education arrangement.
The programme does not support:
- Continuing students.
- Top-up programmes.
- Degree programmes.
- Students with conditional admission.
- Students with probationary admission.
This is particularly important for applicants who are already enrolled in tertiary education or who have received an admission offer that is conditional or probationary.
How to Apply
Eligible applicants can apply through the official FAWE Ghana application channels.
Applicants can:
- Complete the online application form.
- Visit their Regional or District Girls’ Education Office for a free hard-copy application form.
- Visit the FAWE Ghana Office at No. 1 Efua Sutherland Road, Dzorwulu, Accra for assistance with the application process.
Applicants should provide accurate information and complete all required sections of the application form.
Application Forms Are Free
FAWE Ghana has clearly stated that application forms are FREE OF CHARGE.
Applicants should be cautious of anyone attempting to sell the application form or demanding money in exchange for access to the programme.
Application Deadline
The deadline for applications for the FAWE Ghana/Mastercard Foundation Second Chance Pathways third cohort is:
21 August 2026
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical or administrative difficulties.
For more information about this bursary, visit FAWE MasterCard website HERE
More global bursary opportunities are HERE at the OFY website
How to Prepare a Strong Application
Provide Accurate Information
Applicants should ensure that all information provided in the application is accurate.
FAWE Ghana states that information relating to household and living conditions may be subject to verification.
Clearly Demonstrate Financial Need
Since financial need is an important eligibility criterion, applicants should provide an honest and clear picture of their circumstances.
Highlight Relevant Circumstances
Applicants who fall within the groups specifically encouraged to apply should accurately indicate their circumstances, where applicable.
These may include:
- Disability.
- Refugee status.
- Internal displacement.
- Orphanhood.
- Single-parent household.
- Family circumstances involving HIV/AIDS.
- Severe financial difficulties.
Confirm Your Admission Status
Before applying, ensure that you have already gained admission into one of the listed partner institutions.
Remember that the programme does not support:
- Conditional admission.
- Probationary admission.
- Continuing students.
- Top-up programmes.
- Degree programmes.
Demonstrate Your Commitment to Community Service
Applicants should also be prepared to explain their interest in community service and development.
Consider how your education, skills, and future career can contribute to solving problems within your community.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Access to tertiary education can significantly influence a young person’s future career opportunities and economic prospects.
However, financial difficulties can prevent academically qualified students from continuing their education.
The FAWE Ghana/Mastercard Foundation Second Chance Pathways programme seeks to address this challenge by providing fully funded bursaries to marginalized young people.
The emphasis on women is particularly significant, with 80% of the available bursaries reserved for female applicants.
At the same time, the programme provides opportunities for male applicants and deliberately includes Persons with Disabilities, refugees, internally displaced persons, and other young people facing difficult circumstances.
The programme’s nationwide scope also means eligible applicants can come from any of Ghana’s 16 regions.
Key Details at a Glance
Opportunity: FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Second Chance Pathways Bursary Programme
Cohort: Third Cohort
Academic Year: 2026/2027
Number of Bursaries: 200
Funding: Fully funded bursaries
Target Group: Marginalized young women and men in Ghana
Age: 15–25 years at the time of application
Academic Requirement: WASSCE or Certificate II and qualification for tertiary education
Financial Requirement: Demonstrated financial need
Programme Area: STEM-related programmes
Study Level: 3-year HND or 2-year Diploma
Geographical Eligibility: All 16 regions of Ghana
Female Allocation: 80%
Male Allocation: 20%
PWD/Refugee/IDP Allocation: 5–15%
Admission Requirement: Applicants must already have admission into one of FAWE Ghana’s 11 partner institutions
Application Fee: Free
Application Deadline: 21 August 2026
Application Method: Online or through designated physical application channels
Who Qualifies for This Opportunity?
Category of people: Marginalized young women and men in Ghana seeking access to tertiary education.
Age: Applicants must be 15–25 years old at the time of application.
Education: Applicants must have completed WASSCE or Certificate II, qualify for tertiary education, and demonstrate financial need.
Admission: Applicants must already have admission into one of FAWE Ghana’s 11 partner institutions.
Location: Applicants can come from any of Ghana’s 16 regions.
Priority/encouraged groups: Persons with disabilities, refugees, internally displaced persons, orphans, young people from single-parent households, young people living with or affected by family HIV/AIDS circumstances, and those experiencing extenuating financial difficulties.
Programme restriction: The bursary supports eligible STEM-related Diploma and HND programmes but does not support continuing students, top-up programmes, degree programmes, or conditional/probationary admissions.
Opportunity Category
Category: Bursary / Fully Funded Tertiary Education Opportunity
Conclusion
The FAWE Ghana/Mastercard Foundation Second Chance Pathways for Increased Access to Tertiary Education Programme offers an important opportunity for marginalized young people in Ghana who have the academic qualifications and ambition to pursue tertiary education but face financial or social barriers.
With 200 fully funded bursaries available for the 2026/2027 academic year, the programme provides support for eligible students pursuing STEM-related Diploma and Higher National Diploma programmes at selected technical universities and TVET institutions across Ghana.
The programme places a strong emphasis on young women, while also providing opportunities for young men and encouraging applications from Persons with Disabilities, refugees, internally displaced persons, orphans, young people from single-parent families, and others facing significant financial or social challenges.
Eligible applicants should ensure that they already have admission into one of the 11 participating institutions, carefully review the programme restrictions, provide truthful information about their circumstances, and submit their applications before the 21 August 2026 deadline.
Remember: The application is FREE OF CHARGE.
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