10 Free Undergraduate Scholarships for Disabled Students in Africa 2025
Everyone should have an education. You are entitled to learn and grow whether you walk, see or hear or not. However in most parts of Africa, students with disabilities face many challenges as far as access to quality education is concerned. School fees, learning materials, assistive devices, transport among others and daily care can be very tough on the disabled students and their families. There are many students who have to stay at home not because they are dumb but rather because they may not have money to go to school. This is not right and this should change.
This article is for students with disabilities or friends of disabled persons. We will be discussing 10 Free Undergraduate Scholarships to Disabled Students in Africa 2025. The scholarships are for students with physical, hearing, visual, learning disabilities to enter a university without paying school fees. Personal care support, mobility devices and special learning tools, these are also extras that you need and these programs will provide assistance in.
Securing a scholarship is a big thing. It can enable you to have a chance to learn, have a career and transform your life. It also can relieve your family of financial burden. These scholarships don’t just mean your fees will be paid, rather it’s a chance given to you to pursue your dreams just like other students.
In this post you will study 10 scholarships that are free and available to disabled students all over Africa in 2025. We will also take you through the application process, documents required and how you can increase your chances of being selected.
10 Free Undergraduate Scholarships for Disabled Students in Africa 2025
Let’s see those Free Undergraduate Scholarships for Disabled Students in Africa this year below.
1. Disability Bursary NSFAS South Africa
One of the best scholarship for disabled students in South Africa is the NSFAS Disability Bursary Scheme. It will cover your university fees, accommodation, food, study materials and assistive technologies. If you need a wheelchair, hearing aid or other equipment to facilitate your learning, NSFAS will help.
You must be a South African citizen, you must come from a low income family and you must provide evidence of your disability. Through this scholarship, disabled students can attend universities or TVET colleges without worrying about financial issues.
2. SAMRC Disability Scholarships S. Africa
The South African Medical Research council (SAMRC) awards scholarships to students with disabilities who want to pursue a health science degree. This includes such courses as nursing, medicine and public health among others.
This is a fully paid 4-year scholarship plus the scholarship provides a stipend to help with living costs. You must be a certificate holder involved in a disability and also be enrolled into a South African university. If you want to be a doctor or a nurse, this scholarship is one of your options.
3. ETDP SETA Bursary to Disabilities -South Africa
Education, Training and Development Practices (ETDP) SETA bursary is awarded to disabled undergraduate students who want to become educationists or those who want to work in the education sector as employees. This scholarship will cover tuition fee, course learning material and a modest living allowance.
It accepts students with various disabilities with no discrimination to the South African students who have physical, hearing, visual or learning disabilities. You must provide evidence of disability and must also get accepted into an education related program in a state school.
4. SAAD Scholarship to Deaf students- South Africa
The South African Association of the Deaf (SAAD) provides incentives in the form of scholarships to deaf or hard of hearing students. This initiative helps the deaf students to pay their tuition fees and in addition to this, the program also finances the sign language interpreters and unique learning materials.
As a deaf person who wants to attend either a university or college in South Africa, this scholarship will give you any kind of support to enable you to complete your studies without feeling financial burden.
5. Disability Bursaries University South Africa
There are disability student bursaries at many universities in south Africa. Some of these universities are:
- Disability Unit Bursaries University of Pretoria
- Disability Support Programme (University of Cape Town)
- Wits University (Disability Rights Unit Bursaries)
These bursaries may cover tuition fees, books, assistive equipment, accommodation and more. You must show you are disabled and get accepted to one of these universities. The amount of support you will get will be university specific but all work on enabling a disabled student to study and not worry about lack of money.
6. NCPWD Scholarship Scheme – Nigeria
In Nigeria, the governing body, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) offers undergraduate students with bodily handicaps scholarships. The aim of this programme is to ensure that students with disabilities in Nigeria have the opportunity to attend a university without paying tuition fee.
To be considered, you must provide your disability certificate and evidence of admission into a Nigerian university. NCPWD scholarship does not affect family income and attracts disabled students to higher education.
7. MTN Foundation Scholarship for Disabled Students – Nigeria
The MTN Foundation Scholarship Scheme is another popular scheme in Nigeria which accommodates students with any kind of disability. Although it is primarily for science-based, technologic, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses, disabled students in all areas are welcome to apply.
This scholarship includes tuition and an extra amount for books and sometimes living expenses. To be eligible you must show you are disabled and a student in a Nigerian public university or polytechnic.
8. Shell Nigeria University Scholarship -Nigeria
Shell Nigeria provides funds to disabled students studying in the fields of engineering or environmental sciences or related fields. This scholarship is one of the initiatives of Shell to invest in education and equal opportunities.
It covers fee payment and sometimes other allowances academic materials. Students must show they are disabled and also have good grades.
9. Federal and State Government Scholarships for Disabled Students – Nigeria
In Nigeria, the Federal Scholarships Board and different state governments have scholarship schemes for disabled students. The scholarships are to reduce the expenses of students with disabilities in getting education.
Although they can be changeable according to the state, the benefits most often include tuition waivers and can even offer small living allowances. The applicants must be admitted in a recognized university or college and they must have their disability certificates.
10. Global Heumann Fellowship – Worldwide (Africa Eligible)
The World Institute on Disability (WID) offers this Global Heumann Fellowship to empower disabled students and young leaders across the globe including those in Africa. Through this program, students will receive seed funding up to 30 000 dollars to initiate change in their communities.
Although this is not a tuition scholarship, Africans with disabilities who are interested in leadership, advocacy and education can apply through the same. University projects, research and study materials are some of the programs that this fellowship will fund.
Why These 10 Free Undergraduate Scholarships for Disabled Students in Africa 2025 Are Important
Disabled students face more challenges in school. They may need special learning facilities, transportation, personal care or assistance appliances. Such things are expensive and not all families can afford them. Many talented and brilliant students have to drop out of school without support.
The 10 Free Undergraduate Scholarships for Disabled Students in Africa 2025 are important as it breaks such barriers. They give access to free education to disabled learners. They also promote African universities inclusivity and diversity.
These scholarships are not just monetary. They are about giving students with disabilities the opportunity to study, grow and live their dreams. They are about creating an equal society where everyone has equal opportunity.
How to Apply
It’s hard to apply for scholarships but this has been made easier by following these steps:
Step 1: Sample Test to See if You Qualify
- You must be disabled (get medical certificate).
- Be a citizen of the country awarding the scholarship.
- Be admitted or applying to undergraduate program.
- Some scholarships require good grades in school or low income of the family.
Step 2: Get Your Documents Ready
- Higher education, admission letter.
- Medical report that proves you are disabled.
- Transcripts and school result sheets.
- National ID card/passport.
- Family income documents (when required).
Step 3: Write Simple Motivation Letter
State your reasons why you want to get the scholarship. You can talk about your dreams, your problems and how you will use your education to benefit yourself and others. Don’t use big words. Just be honest and straight forward.
Step 4: Apply
Online application forms are available in most of the scholarships. Fill them up and scan your documents. Some programs will ask you to post hard copy to them.
Step 5: Follow up and Be Patient
If you are successful, always check your email or phone. If they may request additional documents, send them immediately. Scholarship selection is a process and don’t give up when you are not informed in the first place.
Tips to Make the List
- Apply early. Don’t wait till the deadline.
- Clearly and thoroughly completed documents.
- Use a teacher or an adult to help you with your motivation letter.
- Express your passion to show and explain how this scholarship will transform your life.
- Observe all the rules and regulations of each of the scholarship programs or any scholarship at all.
Table to Summarize 10 Free Undergraduate Scholarships for Disabled Students in Africa 2025
| No. | Scholarship Name | Country | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NSFAS Disability Bursary | South Africa | Tuition, accommodation, meals, devices |
| 2 | SAMRC Disability Scholarships | South Africa | Tuition + living stipend |
| 3 | ETDP SETA Bursary | South Africa | Tuition, materials, living costs |
| 4 | SAAD Deaf Student Support | South Africa | Tuition, interpreters, materials |
| 5 | University Disability Bursaries | South Africa | Tuition, devices, accommodation |
| 6 | NCPWD Scholarship | Nigeria | Tuition, support devices |
| 7 | MTN Foundation Scholarship | Nigeria | Tuition, books, living costs |
| 8 | Shell Nigeria University Scholarship | Nigeria | Tuition + study materials |
| 9 | Federal & State Scholarships | Nigeria | Tuition, stipends (varies by state) |
| 10 | Global Heumann Fellowship | Africa (Global) | Project funding up to $30,000 |
Conclusion
The 10 Free Undergraduate scholarships to disabled students in Africa 2025 is an opportunity that can change your life. These scholarships are for those who are disabled and want to learn at the university level whether you or someone you know.
Money and physical difficulty should not be the reason to stop your big dreams. These are programs for students like you who are willing to work hard and build a better future. Just work hard, wait and keep moving. Learning is your right and your potential is the key to these scholarships.
Remember you are not your disability. Your dreams, strength and determination does.
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