It’s Thursday, April 30, 2026. A number of major scholarship cycles hit “Zero Hour” today. If you are prepared with your materials, you must act by midnight to secure your place for the next school year.
Below are the high-priority scholarships closing tonight, then those closing in the coming weeks.
GREAT Scholarships 2026 – Nigeria
Deadline:Midnight Today, April 30, 2026 (UK Time) It’s the last chance for holders of the Nigerian passport to obtain between £10,000 and £12,000 to help with their tuition fees for one year of postgraduate study in the UK. The institutions involved in the scheme, such as Brunel University London and the University of Southampton, will expect you to already have an offer of admission before you apply for your final scholarship application. Don’t wait one more hour if you have your offer.
Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme (Window 2)
Submission deadline: 29 May 2026 This is a life-changing “full ride” for mid-career professionals from developing countries. It provides full tuition, a monthly living stipend, roundtrip airfare and health insurance.
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- • Objective: Professionals with more than 3 years of experience in development work.
- Requirement: You need to hold an unconditional offer from a participating master’s programme outside of your home country.
2025/2026 PTDF In-Country Scholarship
Submission deadline: 29 May 2026 The Petroleum Technology Development Fund portal is now open for students of Nigerian federal and state universities.
- • Undergraduate: Open to 200 level (minimum 2.4/5.0 CGPA)
- Postgraduates: Suitable for MSc and PhD students in oil and gas related courses.
- • NB: You are required to verify your National Identity Number (NIN) on the portal before submission.
Makerere University Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme
Deadline: 5 June 2026 (11:59 PM EAT) This is an all-inclusive award covering tuition, laptop, housing, stipends and medical insurance.
- African youth with high potential but financial constraints.
- Priority Groups: 70% of awards to women, 25% to refugees/IDPs and 10% to persons with disabilities.
- Action: To be considered for admission to Makerere University under private sponsorship for the 2026/2027 session, you must apply.
Michael Olusoji Foundation Scholarship 2026 2026
Underdog: An award for high performing Nigerians in federal universities Deadline: May 30, 2026
- Aspirants: Must score 250 and above in JAMB.
- • Undergraduates: Minimum CGPA 3.5 required.
- Benefit: Up to ₦50,000 plus dedicated career mentorship.
Bold.org No Essay “Starter” Scholarships
Deadline: Tonight Midnight, April 30, 2026 These are “Mechanical Necessity” entries for any student who wants to build initial capital without writing a long essay.
- $25,000 “Be Bold” Scholarship: Provides the most comprehensive and “bold” student profile.
- $2,000 a month Drawing: Resets tonight, so if you jump in now you’ll be in the April pool.
Action list for tonight & tomorrow
- Deadline Midnight (Tonight): Submit your GREAT UK, Sallie Mae, and Bold.org applications today.
- “No Essay” Reset: If you missed tonight, the new May cycle for the Sallie Mae $2,000 and Niche $2,000 sweepstakes begins tomorrow, May 1st.
- Get your local government indigeneship letters and certified transcripts ready over the next weekend for the PTDF and Mastercard deadlines in June.
