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Southern Africa
International Scholarships for Southern African Students
ASSIST connects exceptional students from Southern Africa with top private high schools in North America through competitive, international, one-year scholarships. Our South Africa-based Program Coordinator guides Southern African families through the application and interview process, and later serves as a valuable guide as they are expertly placed at a member school. ASSIST's global team also offers comprehensive cultural preparation and support throughout the student's exchange year.
ASSIST Scholars from Southern Africa turn their scholarship year into a launchpad for university success, career advancement, and lifelong global leadership.
Overview
ASSIST Southern Africa welcomes applications from current 9th or 10th graders who would like to spend one study abroad year in the United States as 10th or 11th graders on scholarship. Pupils from the sixteen countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) must spend at least their 12th grade year back in their home country.
There are also very limited places for particularly exceptional current 11th and 12 graders who wish to spend the year as 12th graders and post-graduates (Grade 13) but these rarely carry a scholarship. ASSIST then acts as a referral agency and enables direct placement as a tuition-paying candidate.
Candidates should note that due to the difference between the January-to-December school calendar in most Southern African schools, and the August-to-May school calendar in the United States, they will essentially need to spend 2 years in the same grade:
- January to July: First half of that grade in their home country
- September to May: Full year of that grade in their home country
- July to December: Second half of that grade in their home country
If a student attends a Cambridge school, they can only apply to ASSIST in their 9th grade year, so that if selected, they complete their 10th grade year in the United States, then return to their school for their AS and A-levels. Also note that there are no Cambridge curriculum and very few IB curriculum ASSIST member schools; applicants should assume that they will enroll in a traditional American-style curriculum.
Upcoming Events
Please join Southern Africa Program Coordinator Ms. Nomvuyo Lerato Mzamane for an information session where you can learn much more about our program and have your questions answered.
Virtual and In-Person Information Sessions
Please email nomvuyo@assistscholars.org for more information regarding upcoming information sessions. These are either virtual and a Zoom link to the meeting will be sent upon inquiry or they are in person at a private school in Pretoria East, Gauteng.
Schools, parent groups, and community organisations can also request an in-person or virtual information session where there is a critical mass of interested and eligible pupils. Days and times vary to include working hours, evenings, weekends, and public holidays.
Information sessions are conducted in English. Special virtual sessions with a Portuguese translator can be arranged.
ASSIST at Fairs
From time-to-time, ASSIST will be present at a fair. The dates, times and location will be posted here.
To invite ASSIST to a fair anywhere in a Southern African country, please email nomvuyo@assistscholars.org
Application Process for 2026/27 Scholarships
To apply to the ASSIST Scholar’s Program, you will need to log into ASSIST's application portal. The application for the 26-27 school year is now open and closes in mid-December. Before that, applicants should fill out the INQUIRE section and expect to receive a notification inviting them to complete their application in August: https://assistscholars.fsenrollment.com/portal/new_inquiry
Between August to December, candidates must complete the application.
Follow the steps below to apply:
- Complete the online application and submit a copy of your academic transcript via the ASSIST application portal by December 1. A $35 U.S. application fee (paid via debit or credit card using a link) is required to submit your application. If this cost exceeds an applicant’s financial means, please email nomvuyo@assistscholars.org and expect to submit additional family financials.
- Those invited to move forward in the competition must submit three teacher recommendations, informal photos, and a short statement from a parent or guardian in the same application portal as soon as possible, but no later than December 21
- Scholarship Finalists will be required, if they are not native English speakers, to take the Duolingo English Test. They will also be invited to interview.
Interviews and English Language Testing
A pre-interview may be requested. The applicant and their parents will all be on the Zoom session or the WhatsApp video call.
If the candidate is invited to a final interview, it will take place via Zoom in January. Interviews are for students only and will be in small groups. Interviews are NOT knowledge tests but opportunities for the ASSIST team in the United States and in Southern Africa to get to know applicants really well.
Whilst most applicants from southern Africa will not need to take an English test if they have attended an English-medium school for much of their schooling, various checks including a pre-interview may be requested.
If a student does not come from a school where the language of learning and teaching is English, as soon as ASSIST has received the complete documents, they will be checked and a decision will be made as to the invitation to the English test and interview. The English test is a Duolingo test, costs USD 70 and must be taken before the interview. If this cost exceeds an applicant’s financial means, please email nomvuyo@assistscholars.org and expect to submit additional family financials.
Decisions and Final Steps
Decisions about the scholarships will then be made by March at the latest. Applicants and their families will be informed via email.
If you are a 9th grader and do not get accepted, you are welcome to try again during your 10th grade year.
Should you become a winner of an ASSIST scholarship, after formally accepting the offer, communications will come from us from April for visa applications and other preparation for both the orientation and your school.
From May you will receive communications directly from your school. It is important to note that applicants cannot choose their own school. The specialised ASSIST team matches a school with a candidate. The list of our member schools may be found here: https://www.assistscholars.org/member-schools/
ASSIST Scholarships
Every ASSIST Scholar receives a scholarship for their year abroad. This scholarship grants each student access to a leading private American high school. In addition, students become lifelong members of ASSIST, forming worldwide connections and joining an extraordinary network of over 6,300 accomplished alumni.
Scholarships from Our Partners, Available Through ASSIST
Estimated Expenses for Southern African Students and Families
Expected Family Contribution for School Tuition:
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- Sanderson Scholarship: 0%
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- Lindfors Scholarship: 50% or less of full tuition
ASSIST Program Fee
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- Sanderson Scholarship: $15000 U.S.
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- Lindfors Scholarship: $37000 U.S. (includes school tuition)
Additional Expenses:
For both scholarships, families are responsible for:
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- Travel and insurance
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- Visa application
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- Member school fees
Empowering Southern African Students
Our work in Southern Africa began in 2023. To date, over 6,300 scholars from over 62 countries have completed this transformative exchange year in North America and joined our global alumni network.