Wesleyan African Scholars Program

The Wesleyan African Scholars Program continues Wesleyan University’s longstanding tradition of celebrating global perspectives and enrolling diverse cohorts of scholars to live and learn together. The scholarship provides exceptionally promising African students with full scholarships for four years of study toward a bachelor’s degree. Citizens and permanent residents of Africa’s 54 countries who are applying to Wesleyan as financial aid seeking candidates will be considered for the scholarship. Around 10 incoming students are awarded the scholarship each year.

Every Wesleyan African Scholar will find support that ensures they will have an enriching experience within the classroom walls and beyond, including through dedicated mentorship, cohort-building activities, faculty advisors, summer internship grants, and African alumni networking opportunities focused on internships and post-graduation employment.

Wesleyan + Africa

Individuals in Community

Your Wesleyan experience begins at the dynamic intersection of your goals, dreams, and pursuits—all the things that make YOU who you are, and who you want to become. You’ll discover unexpected connections, combinations, and collaborations at Wesleyan you won’t find anywhere else. You’ll be part of a vibrant and exciting community. 

We actively welcome international students and faculty to join us in Middletown, and we embrace the diverse cultures, traditions, and perspectives they bring to our campus. Alongside our distinguished scholar-teachers, you will develop the knowledge, intellectual agility, and confidence to prepare you for a rapidly changing world. 

Our Students bring the world to our campus

10%

international students (from 64 countries)

33%

are domestic students of color

13%

represent the first generation in their family to attend college

Our faculty at a glance

450+

scholar-teachers and expert researchers

30%

are domestic faculty of color

5%

international faculty members

Faculty: Iddi Saaka, assistant professor of dance

Ghana

"I believe in the power of dance to galvanize individuals and communities to tackle ills in society, empower the marginalized, and question authority. It is ever so important for us to continue to dialogue in myriad ways about the many problems that rear their ugly heads in our communities and institutions of power, and I believe dance remains a powerful force in doing so…I seek to use dance to interrogate issues of race and racism that cut across all facets of American society."

Alumnus: Kennedy Odede ’12

Kenya

"Never before in my life had I felt valued. I always felt that growing up poor was something to be ashamed of, and at first, I was scared to talk about my past. But then the class of 2012 showed me this kindness on many occasions. I had arrived at an incredible place. I said yes, and my life changed. I believe we will only live in a better world if we are willing to take risks to make it a reality, only if we are willing to say 'yes.' Wesleyan took our hopes—both for ourselves and for the world—seriously. Wesleyan told us that these hopes matter, that they mean something. Our teachers have given us the knowledge to ensure that we keep these hopes alive, even when the world responds with cynicism and challenges."

Alumnus: Ferdinand Quayson ’20

Ghana

"When I first came to Wesleyan, I had wanted to be a pre-med student, so I started learning about the sciences. But, through my exposure to different departments, through taking difference classes—I was taking dance, government, social entrepreneurship classes—the more interested in became in politics, economics, and governance. And that is what really pushed me into the field of government. Everything in this field is so interconnected, and learning that fact helps you to shape your understanding of the global system as a whole."

Student: Diana Naiyanoi Kimojino ’25

Kenya

Diana Naiyanoi Kimojino '25, faced with the reality that less than five percent of Kenyan women attend college, was determined to continue her education, even if it meant going against her family's wishes and her cultural norms. "Growing up, my education is always a point of contention with my family and the community. My mother's emphasis was to train me in the traditional ways of being a good housewife and less on pursuing my dreams as an academic or perhaps an economist." Now an economics major at Wesleyan, she feels "an immense call of duty" to bring awareness to her Kenyan community about the benefits of college access for women.

Supporting Your Journey

The Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) provides support and guidance on every aspect of international student life at Wesleyan, including navigating cultural, academic, personal, and financial complexities of life in the U.S. This also includes advising students on federal immigration regulations to ensure you have a great experience at Wesleyan. 

The Fries Center for Global Studies helps our community engage in local and global multicultural environments. Fostering collaboration among students, faculty, and staff, the Fries Center supports the knowledge, language and intercultural skills, self-awareness, and empathy needed for responsible participation in an increasingly interdependent world. 

The African Students' Association (ASA) seeks to encourage the unification of African students and students of African descent in the diaspora. Together, the association shares the cultures and traditions of the African nations and experiences from different walks. It organizes and engages in activities and events that promote and celebrate African culture. ASA also seeks to create awareness of diverse issues affecting the African continent and empower each other to contribute meaningfully to the developments of African nations. 

Wesleyan Africans Thriving Together (WATT) is a peer mentorship program that matches Wesleyan African Scholars in one-to-one pairings with returning students from Africa. 

Ubuntu House is one of Wesleyan's program houses that gives students the opportunity to live collectively in a space based on shared cultural interests and identities. Ubuntu is not only a home for those who seek inclusivity and engagement with people and issues from the African continent, but also a symbol that Africa has visible representation within the diverse community of Wesleyan. 

The Gordon Career Center will be there to help you translate your Wesleyan education into a lifetime of meaningful work. The Center provides you with the tools you need to map out your future, step by step. This includes internship support, mentoring programs that connect alumni and students, courses and programs to help students develop critical career skills, access to job listings across a wide range of industries, and long-term resources for alumni already well on their way.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is included in the Wesleyan African Scholars Program?

    Each Wesleyan African Scholar receives a scholarship to cover the full cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room and board, supplies, and travel to and from home country, totaling over $90,000 in funding. Scholars will find support throughout their journey on campus and beyond, including through: 

    • Pre-arrival webinars connecting the African Scholars as a cohort and familiarizing them with offices, resources, and affinity groups on campus to help prepare them for Wesleyan. 
    • A welcome dinner that includes members of the African Students’ Association, and faculty from the African Studies Minor. 
    • Peer mentorship through a matched upperclass student from Africa. 
    • Access to a cross-cultural speakers program giving African Scholars the opportunity to share aspects of their home region’s history, geography, cultures, and languages with Wesleyan and Middletown communities. 
    • Opportunities to connect with alumni from Africa for networking, mentorship, career planning, and professional development, including workshops, information sessions, and alumni panels. 
    • Opportunity to attend and participate in conferences such as the Yale African Innovation Symposium. 
    • Sourced opportunities in Africa to intern or work post-grad 
    • Guaranteed access to a need-based summer experience grant 
  • Am I eligible?
    Applicants to Wesleyan are eligible to be considered for the African Scholars Program if they meet the following criteria: 
    • Are citizens or permanent residents of one of Africa’s 54 countries, and are NOT dual U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents.  
    • Apply for need-based financial aid at the time of applying to Wesleyan, and have demonstrated financial need. 
    • Have not previously enrolled full-time in college or university. 

    Candidates who meet the above criteria will be automatically considered for the scholarship once they have applied for admission to Wesleyan. There is no separate application process. 

    *Please note: candidates who must fulfill a military service requirement after secondary school completion should apply in the year they would be able to enroll at Wesleyan. 

  • What are the selection criteria?
    The selection process for Wesleyan African Scholars Program is extremely competitive. Selection criteria for the scholarship include exemplary academic achievement; intellectual curiosity; a high level of discipline and commitment; personal qualities; community involvement; leadership potential; and English language ability.
  • Are interviews part of the selection process?

    Interviews are not a part of the Wesleyan African Scholars selection process. Wesleyan does not offer evaluative interviews to applicants. We will, however, accept InitialView interviews as an optional component of the application. 

  • What are Wesleyan's testing requirements?

    While Wesleyan has a test-optional policy for SAT and ACT, we encourage students from international curriculum schools that are not exam-based to consider submitting SAT or ACT results. In addition to serving as evidence of academic potential and achievement, these results can be used to demonstrate English proficiency. Please see our International Applicants page for more on our recommendations for English Proficiency testing. 

  • What application materials do I need for the Wesleyan African Scholars Program?

    The application materials required to be considered for the Wesleyan African Scholars Program are the same materials as for other international citizens seeking financial aid. See International Applicants and  Financial Aid for International Applicants for more information. 

    Awardees will be notified on the Regular Decision release date. Wesleyan will provide the necessary forms for obtaining an F-1 student visa to the United States. 

  • Early Decision
    International citizens applying for financial aid will not be considered for admission through Early Decision. Any international citizen seeking financial aid who is competitive for admission will be deferred to Regular Decision for consideration. This includes candidates for the Wesleyan African Scholars Program.

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS 

Please contact intladmission@wesleyan.edu with any questions. 

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