Wells Mountain Initiative Scholarship 2027

Key facts

Status: Applications open Closes 1 March 2027
Provider: Wells Mountain Initiative
Study level: Undergraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

The 2027 scholarship application is expected to open on 1 December 2026 and closes on 1 March 2027.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Open · closes 1 March 2027 · 158 days left Latest update ↓

The Wells Mountain Initiative is a US non-profit that backs students in developing countries who want to improve their communities. Its partial scholarships reward volunteering as much as marks.

About the Wells Mountain Initiative Scholarship

A partial scholarship for a first undergraduate degree or diploma.
Study in your home country or region.
At least 100 hours of community service each year.

Eligibility requirements

Aged 35 or younger on 1 August 2027.
Finished, or in the final year of, secondary school with above-average grades.
Applying to or in your first undergraduate programme at home.
Volunteer experience and financial need.

How to apply

Open the scholar application on wellsmountaininitiative.org from 1 December 2026.
Prepare your results, recommendation letters and details of your community service.
Submit the full application before 1 March 2027.

Closing date

1 March 2027.

Contact details

Email: info@wellsmountaininitiative.org

FAQs

1. When does the Wells Mountain Initiative scholarship close for 2027? +

1 March 2027. WMI has one deadline each year, and the 2027 application is expected to open on 1 December 2026.

2. What is the Wells Mountain Initiative? +

A US non-profit that gives partial university scholarships to community-minded students in developing countries, including South Africa.

3. Who qualifies? +

Students aged 35 or younger on 1 August 2027 who have finished or are finishing secondary school with good grades, are applying to or in their first undergraduate programme in their home country, and plan to work at home after graduating.

4. What does it cover? +

Part of tuition and study costs. It does not cover everything, so you need other funding too.

5. What is expected of scholars? +

At least 100 hours of community service each year, plus previous volunteer experience.

6. Is there an application fee? +

No. WMI never charges a fee, and asks applicants to report anyone who asks for one.

Update note (checked September 2026): The 2027 WMI application opens on 1 December 2026 and closes on 1 March 2027. There is no application fee. Source: wellsmountaininitiative.org.

Checked the requirements and closing date? Apply directly with the provider.

Apply on the provider’s website

About Wells Mountain Initiative

US non-profit (scholarships for community leaders)

Wells Mountain Initiative (WMI) is a United States-based non-profit that fosters social change at the local level by building a global network of grassroots leaders across 55 developing countries. WMI provides university scholarships and lifelong support to students…

Read the full Wells Mountain Initiative profile →

Website: wellsmountaininitiative.org

Student funding in numbers

2025811 011students funded by NSFAS580 000 at universities, 231 000 at TVET colleges, on a budget of R48.7 billion.

20261 026 091students approved for NSFAS funding609 403 first-year applicants qualified and 416 688 continuing students met the progression criteria, out of 893 847 applications.

2027 projectedR53.4bnbudgeted for NSFASThe allocation rises from R48.7 billion in 2025 to R51 billion in 2026 and R53.4 billion in 2027. Student numbers for 2027 are not published yet.

Figures from the Minister of Higher Education’s Budget Vote of 3 July 2025 and the NSFAS statement of 2 January 2026. NSFAS is the largest funder, not the only one – we track the rest.