Applications Open for the Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) Program 2025

Applications Open for the Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) Program 2025. The Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) Program 2025 is now accepting applications. This program is designed for African secondary school students who are interested in pursuing higher education and developing leadership skills to make a positive impact in their communities.

Program Dates

YYAS 2025 will offer two different sessions:

• Online College Prep Workshop: July 17 – 22, 2025 (6 days).
• Residential Leadership Summit in Kenya: August 9 – 17, 2025 (9 days).

Participants can choose one of the sessions and indicate their preference during the application process.

Summer 2025 Offerings

1. YYAS Online College Prep Workshop (Virtual): A six-day workshop focusing on college preparation, available to students across Africa.
2. YYAS Residential Leadership Summit (Kenya): A nine-day program focused on leadership and innovation, held in Kenya.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the YYAS 2025 Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Age: Be between 14-18 years old as of July 17, 2025.
• English Proficiency: Must be proficient in English for academic participation.
• Citizenship: Be a citizen or permanent resident of an African country (Refugees living in Africa may also apply).
• Current Student: Must be attending school in an African country.
• Grade Level: Be in 10th or 11th grade or the equivalent in their country.
• Graduation Date: Northern Hemisphere students must graduate between May/June 2026 and May/June 2027; Southern Hemisphere students between November/December 2025 and November/December 2026.

Program Details

1. YYAS College Prep Workshop (Online)

• Duration: 6 days.
• Participants: Around 200 students.
• Focus: College preparation and academic skills.
• Requirements: Students must have reliable access to Zoom via mobile, tablet, or computer.
• Completion: Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion after successfully completing the workshop.
• Cost: Free of charge.

2. YYAS Residential Leadership Summit (Kenya)

• Duration: 9 days.
• Participants: Around 100 students.
• Focus: Leadership, college preparation, and 21st-century skills.
• Completion: Students will receive a Certificate of Completion upon finishing the program.
• Cost: Free tuition, with housing, meals, and educational materials provided.

Travel Grant:

• For participants attending the Residential Leadership Summit in Kenya, need-based travel grants are available for those living outside Kenya. All applicants are automatically considered for the grant.

Application Timeline

Early Action Deadline:

• Application Deadline: October 24, 2024, 11:59 PM ET.
• Decisions Released: December 20, 2024.

Regular Decision Deadline:

• Application Deadline: January 20, 2025, 11:59 PM ET.
• Decisions Released: March 20, 2025.

How to Apply

1. Review the YYAS eligibility criteria.
2. Familiarize yourself with the application requirements.
3. Download a sample blank application to prepare your answers.
4. Gather the contact information for a parent/guardian, teacher, or school official.
5. Visit the  YYAS application page to start your application.
6. Submit your application and check your email for a confirmation receipt.

For more information, visit the Official Webpage of the Yale Young African Scholars Program.