African Leadership Academy (ALA) Scholarships

African Leadership Academy (ALA) offers need-based scholarships to admitted students for its two-year diploma program, making the rigorous residential education accessible regardless of financial background.

What it offers

• Significant financial assistance to admitted students, with 97% of ALA students receiving aid.
• All-inclusive fees covering tuition, accommodation, meals, and uniforms, currently set at $30,900 per year.
• Financial awards are determined after admission and scaled to a family’s financial means, with more support for disadvantaged backgrounds.

Who can apply

• Applicants must have been born on or after September 1, 2006.
• Admission is based on leadership potential and alignment with ALA’s holistic criteria: intellectual readiness, courage, perseverance, ownership, and interdependence.
• No single factor (except age) excludes candidates; diversity of background and perspective is valued.

How to apply

• Submit an admission application via the ALA website.
• Applications for the Class of 2027 open on July 1, 2026.
• Early Decision deadline: October 15, 2025.
• Regular Decision deadline: January 15, 2026.
• Early Decision applicants receive results by January 2026; Regular Decision results are released in April 2026.

Good to know

• ALA seeks students who are intellectually curious, resilient, self-driven, and committed to positive change in Africa.
• Financial aid is available to admitted students regardless of nationality.
• You can nominate a young leader for the program using the nomination form on the ALA website.