Scholarships to Apply For Today

It’s Thursday, April 30, 2026. It is the “Zero Hour” for some major global awards. If you are ready to apply, look for opportunities that are closing tonight or over the coming weeks.

⚠️ Deadline Tonight (April 30, 2026)

You have your documents ready. Your portals close in just a few hours.

• GREAT Scholarships 2026 (UK – Nigeria Cycle)
  • • Tuition discount of £10,000–£12,000.
  • Deadline: Midnight tonight (UK time)
  • Aim: To target Nigerian passport holders applying for one-year Master’s programmes at participating universities, including Southampton, Brunel and Warwick. You need to have an offer from the university to submit the final scholarship form.
• • Africa Australia Awards Scholarships
  • • Value: Fully funded (Tuition, Airfare, Stipend)
  • Deadline: 2:00 PM AEST (This has probably passed for most of Africa, but check the portal for any grace periods for time zones).
  • Target: Mid-career professionals with a minimum of 5 years of work experience who wish to study in Australia in 2027.
• Monthly No-Essay Boost
  • The Sallie Mae $2,000 and Niche $25,000 sweepstakes end at midnight. These are “Mechanical Necessities” – if you haven’t entered, do it now to stay in the loop for the next cycle.

🕒 Closing Soon (May 2026)

You have a few weeks to get these applications right.

• Michael Olusoji Foundation Scholarship 2026 2026
  • Value: ₦40,000 – ₦50,000 + Mentoring.
  • • Due Date: 30 May 2026.
  • Brilliant Nigerian Aspirants (entering Federal Universities) and Undergraduates (CGPA 3.5+). It’s an “Underdog” award for people who have financial constraints.
• • Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme (Window 2)
  • • The deadline is May 29, 2026.
  • Target: Development professionals from developing countries with at least three years of development experience. It pays for a master’s at top universities worldwide.
• Lily Pabilona Rising Entrepreneur Scholarship
  • Worth: $5,000.
  • Due date: May 31, 2026.
  • Who is this award for? Students who have successfully started their own “Side Hustle” or small business.

📅 June “Big Ticket” deadline

Here’s a look at the top full-ride scholarships for the 2026/2027 academic year.

• The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme at Makerere University
  • • Value: Full Ride (100%) (Laptop, Stipend, Housing, Health Insurance)
  • Deadline: 5 June 2026 (11:59 PM EAT)
  • Target: High-potential African students, refugees and individuals with disabilities. You will also have to apply for private sponsorship at Makerere University.
• • Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (Cycle 02)
  • Application deadline: 3 June 2026.
  • Target audience: Students who are interested in a 2-year Master’s in a low- to middle-income Commonwealth country (not their own).
• • PTDF Scholarship in Nigeria 2018/2019
  • Deadline: June 5, 2026
  • 2nd-year Undergraduates and Postgraduates in oil- and gas-related disciplines in the Nigerian public universities.

Today’s Summary Checklist

1. GREAT UK Portals: Submit your GREAT scholarship essay by midnight if you have a UK offer.
2. Check NIN/JAMB Scores: If applying for Michael Olusoji or PTDF awards, keep your O’Level and JAMB data ready (250+ for Olusoji).
3. Refugee/Disability Status: If you fall under these categories, prioritise the Mastercard Foundation at Makerere – 10% of their slots are reserved for you.

Note: The Lagos State Scholarship Board cycle for 2025/2026 closed in March; if you missed it, the next registration window is expected to open in late 2026.