Wells Mountain Initiative Scholarship South Africa 2025

The Wells Mountain Initiative (WMI) is a reputable American charitable organization dedicated to fostering social change through education and community development.

WMI focuses on empowering young individuals from developing countries, including South Africa, to achieve their academic aspirations.

They do this by providing scholarships, valuable skills training, and facilitating the creation of a network of future leaders who will drive positive transformations within their communities.

WMI actively supports undergraduate studies across 47 developing countries, emphasizing high-need sectors.

Their commitment extends beyond financial aid; they actively support scholars by encouraging social service projects and offering assistance throughout their academic journeys.

About Wells Mountain Initiative Scholarship

The WMI scholarship program offers financial support to undergraduate students enrolled in their first Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree program at a developing world university.

The scholarship is open to students from all fields of study, with a focus on empowering individuals who demonstrate a strong desire to contribute to their communities and home countries.

The award covers tuition and fees, books and study materials, and other related expenses.

WMI awards scholarships to an average of 60-80 students annually, with awards ranging from $1500 USD to a maximum of $3000 USD.

The scholarship is designed to provide ongoing support throughout the entire undergraduate program.

Wells Mountain Initiative Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

Before starting with your application, ensure you meet the following minimum requirements:

  1. You must be a citizen of a developing country, including South Africa (you can find a comprehensive list of developing countries on the WMI website).
  2. You must have successfully completed your secondary education with excellent grades, or be on track to complete it by August 1, 2024.
  3. You must be entering your first undergraduate program (Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree) in 2025.
  4. You must be planning to study in your home country or another developing nation.
  5. Your chosen program of study should demonstrably benefit your community or your home country.
  6. You must be 35 years old or younger as of August 1, 2024.
  7. You must intend to live and work in your home country after graduation.
  8. You must have a demonstrable history of volunteering and community engagement.
  9. You must be passionate about giving back to your community.
  10. You must demonstrate financial need.
  11. You cannot plan to study in the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK, or Western Europe.
  12. You cannot be a family member of WMI staff or existing WMI Scholars.

Wells Mountain Initiative Scholarship Application Requirements

The application process is entirely online. Ensure you have the following documents readily available to submit with your completed application form:

  1. National ID or alternative identification document (a clear copy)
  2. Official transcripts from your secondary school
  3. National exam results (if applicable)
  4. Headshot photograph (clear picture)
  5. University tuition fee structure (obtained from the university website if you haven’t received an acceptance letter yet)
  6. Two letters of recommendation (following WMI’s recommendation letter guidelines, accessible on their website)
  7. Personal statement (500-1000 words)
  8. Essay (500-1000 words) on the provided topic: “If you were awarded $1500 to support a service project to help your community, what issue would you address? Why is this a current or continuing issue within your community? Why is this issue important to you? Who would benefit and what would be the impact? How would you measure the success of the activity? Please provide a detailed budget in USD for all expenses.” (Important Note: This is a hypothetical scenario, not a request for actual funding.)

How to Apply

Visit the Wells Mountain Initiative website to access the online application portal.

Ensure you meet all deadlines and submit a complete application package to be considered.

How to Contact

For any inquiries related to the WMI Scholarship program, feel free to contact the Wells Mountain Initiative directly via email: info@wellsmountaininitiative.org.

Wells Mountain Initiative Scholarship Closing Date

The deadline to submit your application for the 2025 academic year WMI Scholarship is March 2nd, 2024, at 11:59 PM EST.

Remember, late applications will not be considered.