Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) is an intensive academic and enrichment program designed for African secondary school students who plan to pursue tertiary education and wish to make meaningful impact as young leaders on the continent. The Residential Leadership Summit in Rwanda focuses on college prep topics, leadership, innovation, design, and 21st-century skills. Participants enhance academic skills, receive university admission and financial aid application guidance, and join a network of young leaders from across Africa. The program is tuition-free and provides free housing, meals, and academic materials. A limited number of need-based Travel Grants are available.
Verified November 4, 2026 against Yale’s 2027 overview, application timeline, eligibility requirements, 2027 FAQ, and sample application. The Rwanda summit runs August 7–15, 2027. Early Action was October 20, 2026; Regular Decision is January 20, 2027, both at 11:59 p.m. US Eastern Time. Official travel-funding instructions differ: the overview promises automatic grant review, the FAQ describes a grant/aid request requirement, and the sample application says there is no financial aid. An admission offer states whether a Travel Grant is included. Families should not assume that travel is covered.