Applications are now open for the Third Cohort of the FAWE Ghana/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Bursary Programme for the 2026/2027 academic year, offering 200 fully funded bursaries to academically promising but financially disadvantaged young people across Ghana.
The programme, implemented by the Forum for African Women Educationalists Ghana Chapter (FAWE Ghana) under the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II initiative, is designed to expand access to tertiary education for marginalized young women and men who face financial, social or other barriers to continuing their education.
For the 2026/2027 academic year, the bursary will support eligible students pursuing selected STEM-related programmes at FAWE Ghana partner technical universities and institutions across Ghana. The programme places a particularly strong emphasis on expanding opportunities for young women, persons with disabilities, refugees, internally displaced persons and other applicants experiencing significant financial or social disadvantages.
The application deadline is 21 August 2026.
About the FAWE Ghana/Mastercard Foundation Bursary Programme
The programme forms part of the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Second Chance Pathways for Increased Access to Tertiary Education for Marginalized Young Women and Men Programme.
Its central objective is to help talented young people who have the academic ability to pursue tertiary education but may otherwise be unable to do so because of financial hardship or other forms of marginalization.
Through the Third Cohort, FAWE Ghana intends to support young people who have already gained admission to eligible partner institutions but require financial assistance to continue their education.
The programme combines educational access with a broader commitment to inclusion and community development. Successful applicants are expected not only to pursue their studies seriously but also to demonstrate a willingness to contribute positively to their communities.
Number of Bursaries Available
A total of:
200 fully funded bursaries
are available under the Third Cohort for the 2026/2027 academic year.
The allocation is structured to promote gender equity and inclusion.
According to FAWE Ghana:
- 80% of the bursaries are reserved for female applicants.
- 20% are available for male applicants.
- Between 5% and 15% are allocated to persons with disabilities, refugees and internally displaced persons.
FAWE Ghana also strongly encourages applications from other marginalized young people who face substantial barriers to tertiary education.
What the Bursary Supports
The bursary supports eligible students enrolled in selected STEM-related programmes at FAWE Ghana partner institutions.
Supported study routes include:
- Three-year Higher National Diploma programmes
- Two-year Diploma programmes
The programmes must fall within eligible STEM-related fields offered by participating institutions.
Applicants should note that the bursary does not support:
- Continuing students
- Top-up programmes
- Degree programmes
- Students holding conditional admission
- Students on probationary admission
Applicants must therefore already have valid admission into an eligible programme at one of the programme’s partner institutions before applying for the bursary.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Age Requirement
Candidates must be:
15 to 25 years old at the time of application.
Applicants outside this age range are not eligible under the stated criteria.
Academic Qualification
Applicants must have completed either:
- WASSCE, or
- Certificate II
Candidates must also have obtained qualifications that allow them to enter tertiary education in Ghana.
Financial Need
The programme specifically targets brilliant but financially disadvantaged young people.
Applicants must therefore demonstrate financial need.
FAWE Ghana notes that information provided during the application process, including information about household circumstances and living conditions, may be verified.
Applicants should consequently provide accurate and truthful information regarding their financial and family circumstances.
Admission Requirement
Candidates must already have gained admission to one of FAWE Ghana’s eligible partner institutions before applying.
Students without confirmed admission are not eligible under the stated requirements.
Community Commitment
Applicants are expected to demonstrate a commitment to giving back to their communities through service, development activities or other forms of positive community engagement.
This reflects the programme’s broader emphasis on empowering young people who can contribute to social and economic development beyond their individual academic achievements.
FAWE Ghana Partner Institutions
Applicants must already be admitted to one of the programme’s 11 partner institutions.
The eligible institutions are:
- 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 admitted to institutions outside this list are not identified as eligible under the current call.
Geographic Coverage
The programme is open across:
All sixteen regions of Ghana.
Eligible applicants may therefore apply regardless of where they live in Ghana, provided they satisfy the other requirements and have admission to one of FAWE Ghana’s partner institutions.
This nationwide coverage is intended to ensure that marginalized young people from different parts of the country have an opportunity to access tertiary education support.
Priority Groups
While the programme is open to eligible young women and men, it gives particular attention to applicants who experience significant barriers to education.
FAWE Ghana strongly encourages applications from:
- Young women
- Persons with disabilities
- Refugees
- Internally displaced persons
- Orphans
- Young people from single-parent households
- Young people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS within their families
- Applicants facing severe or exceptional financial difficulties
The programme’s inclusion priorities reflect an effort to reach young people whose educational opportunities may be limited not only by income but also by disability, displacement, family circumstances or other structural disadvantages.
Strong Focus on Female Applicants
A defining feature of the bursary programme is its emphasis on supporting young women.
FAWE Ghana states that 80% of the 200 bursaries are reserved for female applicants.
This aligns with the organisation’s broader mission of promoting educational opportunities for girls and women while addressing gender inequalities in access to education.
The programme is particularly relevant to young women seeking to enter STEM and technical education fields, where women may continue to face participation barriers.
Male applicants remain eligible, with 20% of bursaries allocated to them.
Study Areas
The programme supports STEM-related study programmes offered by participating technical universities and TVET institutions.
While the announcement does not provide a complete subject-by-subject list, applicants should ensure that the programme into which they have been admitted falls within the eligible STEM-related areas recognised by FAWE Ghana.
Candidates uncertain about whether their programme qualifies should contact FAWE Ghana before submitting their application.
Application Process
Applications can be completed online or through designated physical support locations.
Option 1: Apply Online
Applicants can complete the online application form through the official Application Portal.
Applicants may also visit HERE to access information about the programme and the application process.
Option 2: Obtain a Free Hard Copy
Applicants who have difficulty completing the online application can visit their:
- Regional Girls’ Education Office, or
- District Girls’ Education Office
to obtain a free hard-copy application form.
Option 3: Visit the FAWE Ghana Office
Applicants may also receive assistance directly from the FAWE Ghana office at:
No. 1 Efua Sutherland Road
Dzorwulu, Accra
Ghana
Staff may provide guidance to candidates who require help understanding or completing the application process.
Application Forms Are Free
FAWE Ghana clearly states that:
Application forms are completely free of charge.
Applicants should not pay any person or intermediary to obtain or submit a form.
Anyone requesting payment in exchange for access to the official application form should be treated with caution.
Applicants should use only the official FAWE Ghana channels listed in the announcement.
Important Eligibility Restrictions
Applicants should carefully review the exclusions before applying.
The bursary programme does not support:
- Students who have already started and are continuing their programmes
- Top-up programmes
- Degree programmes
- Students with conditional admission
- Students under probationary admission
The programme is therefore intended primarily for newly admitted students entering eligible HND or Diploma programmes.
Verification of Applicant Information
FAWE Ghana states that information provided in the application may be subject to verification.
This includes information concerning:
- Household conditions
- Living circumstances
- Financial need
- Admission status
- Personal background
Applicants should ensure that every part of their application is complete, accurate and supported by appropriate documentation where required.
Providing false or misleading information could affect eligibility.
Why the Programme Matters
For many academically capable young people, gaining admission to tertiary education is only the first step.
Tuition, living expenses and other educational costs can make it difficult or impossible for students from low-income households to continue their studies.
The FAWE Ghana/Mastercard Foundation bursary programme seeks to reduce these barriers by providing fully funded support to young people who have demonstrated academic potential but lack sufficient financial resources.
Its focus on young women, persons with disabilities, refugees, internally displaced persons and other marginalized groups also reflects a broader commitment to making tertiary and technical education more inclusive.
By supporting students in STEM-related and technical fields, the programme may also contribute to the development of skills relevant to Ghana’s economic, technological and industrial development.
Commitment to Community Service
An important component of the selection criteria is the applicant’s willingness to give back to their community.
Candidates should be prepared to explain how their education could enable them to contribute to their communities in the future.
Community involvement could potentially include activities such as:
- Mentoring younger students
- Supporting local development initiatives
- Promoting STEM education
- Participating in volunteer activities
- Supporting educational access for disadvantaged groups
- Using technical skills to address community challenges
Applicants should provide genuine examples of their interests and commitments rather than relying on generic statements.
Application Deadline
All applications must be submitted by:
21 August 2026
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible rather than waiting until the final day.
Submitting early can provide additional time to correct missing information or resolve technical problems with the application platform.
Contact Information
Applicants seeking clarification or assistance can contact FAWE Ghana through the following telephone numbers:
+233-591821362
+233-591821372
Email: fawe@fawegh.org
Applicants can also visit the official FAWE Ghana website: www.fawegh.org
Tips for Preparing a Strong Application
Applicants should carefully demonstrate both their academic potential and the circumstances that make financial support necessary.
Before submitting an application:
- Confirm that you satisfy the age requirement.
- Ensure that you have completed WASSCE or Certificate II.
- Verify that your admission is unconditional and is from one of the 11 partner institutions.
- Confirm that your programme is an eligible HND or two-year Diploma programme.
- Prepare accurate information about your financial and household circumstances.
- Explain clearly why the bursary is necessary for you to continue your education.
- Describe your commitment to supporting your community.
- Review every section of your application before submitting it.
- Keep copies of important documents and application records.
- Submit before the 21 August 2026 deadline.
Applicants belonging to priority groups should clearly provide relevant information where requested so that their circumstances can be considered appropriately during the selection process.
Conclusion
The FAWE Ghana/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Bursary Programme 2026/2027 provides an important opportunity for financially disadvantaged young Ghanaians seeking access to technical and STEM-related tertiary education.
Through its Third Cohort, the programme is offering 200 fully funded bursaries for eligible students pursuing three-year HND or two-year Diploma programmes at 11 partner institutions across Ghana.
The programme strongly prioritizes female applicants, who will receive 80% of available bursaries, while also encouraging applications from persons with disabilities, refugees, internally displaced persons, orphans, young people from single-parent households, those affected by HIV/AIDS and applicants experiencing serious financial hardship.
Candidates must be between 15 and 25 years old, have completed WASSCE or Certificate II, demonstrate financial need, already hold admission to an eligible partner institution and show a commitment to contributing to their communities.
Applications are free of charge and must be submitted by 21 August 2026.
For young people whose educational ambitions have been constrained by financial barriers, this programme could provide a meaningful pathway into tertiary education and toward a future career in STEM and technical fields.
To discover more scholarship opportunities, please VISIT HERE.
