Complete Liberia Scholarship Guide 2026/2027; Liberian students have scholarship opportunities both inside Liberia and abroad, ranging from undergraduate scholarships to master’s degrees, PhDs, professional fellowships and leadership programmes.
Some of the strongest opportunities for the 2026/2027 cycle include Chevening, Erasmus Mundus, SHE-CAN, the Liberian Presidential Scholarship, Government of Liberia international scholarships, Mastercard Foundation programmes, McCall MacBain and the University of Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson Scholarship.
Important: Not every scholarship below is currently open. I have separated opportunities into open/upcoming, government programmes, and recurring programmes to monitor so you don’t confuse a 2026/27 opportunity with an already-closed application.
1. Quick list of the best scholarships for Liberians
| Scholarship | Destination | Level | Funding | 2026/27 status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevening | UK | Master’s | Fully funded | Open |
| Erasmus Mundus | Europe | Master’s | Often fully funded | Upcoming/varies by programme |
| SHE-CAN | USA | Bachelor’s | Full-ride pathway | Open |
| Presidential Scholarship | Liberia | Various | Up to 100% tuition | 2026 programme |
| Government of Liberia–China | China | Master’s/PhD etc. | Government-funded | 2026/27 cohort selected |
| Lester B. Pearson | Canada | Bachelor’s | Fully funded | Upcoming/current cycle |
| UBC International Scholars | Canada | Bachelor’s | Major financial support | Opens autumn 2026 |
| McCall MacBain | Canada | Master’s/professional | Fully funded | 2027 cohort |
| Commonwealth Master’s | UK | Master’s | Fully funded | Not eligible for Liberians |
| GREAT Scholarship | UK | Master’s | £10,000 tuition contribution | Not currently open to Liberians |
| DAAD EPOS | Germany | Master’s | Scholarship | Programme-specific |
| Mastercard Foundation | Africa/Europe/Canada etc. | Bachelor’s/Master’s | Often comprehensive | Programme-specific |
| University of Liberia scholarships | Liberia | Undergraduate | Tuition/fees and other support | Institutional |
2. Chevening Scholarship — UK
⭐ One of the best options for Liberian professionals
Chevening is the UK government’s flagship international scholarship programme.
Liberia is eligible. The official Liberia page currently states that applications for the 2027/28 Chevening Scholarship are open and close on 6 October 2026 at 11:00 UTC.
Level
- Master’s degree
- Normally one year
- Study at a UK university
What makes it attractive?
Complete Liberia Scholarship Guide 2026/2027; Chevening is designed for future leaders and provides the opportunity to study a master’s degree in the UK while becoming part of an international alumni network.
General requirements
Applicants need to satisfy Chevening’s eligibility requirements, including the required work experience. The application system calculates work experience and currently refers to a 2,800-hour requirement.
You should also demonstrate:
- Leadership potential
- Professional achievement
- Clear career objectives
- Strong networking/relationship-building ability
- A credible plan for using your education to create impact
2026/27 timeline
For the 2027/28 intake:
- Applications opened: 4 August 2026
- Deadline: 6 October 2026
- Shortlisting: February 2027
- Interviews: March–April 2027
- Results: From mid-June 2027
- UK university offer deadline: 8 July 2027
- Studies begin: September/October 2027
Important warning about Chevening applications
Chevening explicitly states that AI-generated application answers are prohibited. It also says applications are free and applicants should not pay third parties to submit applications.
Official application: Chevening Liberia
3. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
⭐ Excellent option for Liberian graduates
Erasmus+ Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters are international master’s programmes delivered by university consortia.
Students from all over the world can apply.
READ THIS ALSO: Open Call for International Scholarships Programme — Liberia 2026
A typical programme involves studying at multiple universities in different countries.
Level
- Master’s
- Usually 1–2 years
Funding
Scholarships can cover:
- Participation/tuition costs
- Travel
- Visa expenses
- Living allowance
Complete Liberia Scholarship Guide 2026/2027; The EU programme rules state that Erasmus Mundus scholarships cover travel, visa, installation and subsistence costs for scholarship holders.
When do applications open?
Most programmes normally accept applications between October and January for study beginning the following academic year.
This makes October 2026–January 2027 an important period for Liberian applicants targeting the 2027/28 academic year.
How to apply
Unlike Chevening, there isn’t one universal Erasmus application.
You:
- Search the Erasmus Mundus catalogue.
- Select a master’s programme.
- Visit that programme’s website.
- Check its eligibility requirements.
- Prepare your documents.
- Apply directly to the consortium.
The official Erasmus+ site confirms that students apply directly to the institution running the chosen programme.
Official information: Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
4. SHE-CAN Scholarship — United States
⭐ Particularly important for young Liberian women
SHE-CAN is specifically aimed at young women from Liberia, Cambodia and Guatemala.
The official programme says it seeks talented young women leaders who have limited opportunities but strong potential and a passion for creating change.
Basic eligibility
You should be:
- A woman
- 17–20 years old
- From Liberia, Cambodia or Guatemala
- Passionate about improving your country
- Able to access reliable internet and a computer
You generally need:
- Grade 10, 11 and 12 transcripts
- National examination/WAEC results
- Family income information
- SAT/ACT/IELTS/TOEFL results if available
There is no application fee.
What does SHE-CAN provide?
The programme helps successful candidates pursue full-ride scholarships at U.S. colleges, while providing:
- Mentorship
- Leadership development
- College preparation
- Academic preparation
- Support with applications
- Community-service experience
Deadline
The official SHE-CAN page gives the Liberia deadline as:
1 November 2026.
The programme’s timeline shows Liberia interviews around January 2027, followed by academic preparation and college applications.
Official application information: SHE-CAN Scholar Application
5. Liberia Presidential Scholarship Programme
This is one of the most important local scholarships for Liberian students.
In August 2026, President Joseph Boakai’s administration announced an expansion of the Presidential Scholarship Programme to cover:
- Public universities
- Community colleges
- Public high schools
- Public TVET institutions
- Institutions across Liberia’s 15 counties
The programme is merit-based.
Funding
The programme currently has different categories.
Academic Scholarship
Students with at least a:
3.00 GPA
may qualify for 100% tuition coverage.
Financial Aid
Students with:
2.5 GPA
and demonstrated financial need may qualify for 60% tuition coverage.
Scholarship recipients are also required to complete 10 hours of community service per semester.
Who should consider it?
It is particularly suitable for Liberians who:
- Want to study in Liberia
- Have strong academic results
- Need financial assistance
- Are interested in university, community-college or TVET education
The programme has been expanded to make access more nationwide.
6. Government of Liberia Local Scholarship
The Ministry of Education operates scholarship programmes for Liberian students.
The Ministry’s scholarship listings include a 2025–2026 Local Scholarship Announcement, and the 2026 programme was launched with orientation and contract signing in February 2026.
The government emphasizes:
- Merit
- Fairness
- Inclusion
- Representation from different counties
- Community service
- National development
Where should you monitor?
The most important place is the Liberia Ministry of Education scholarship portal/listings rather than random Facebook pages or WhatsApp advertisements.
Official source: Liberia Ministry of Education
7. Government of Liberia–China Bilateral Scholarship
Liberian students can also benefit from bilateral scholarship arrangements between Liberia and China.
For the 2026/2027 academic year, the Ministry of Education reported that 11 Liberian scholars had been selected for the Government of Liberia–China Bilateral Scholarship Programme.
The 2026/27 scholars are studying areas including:
- Finance
- Public Management
- Business Administration
- Public Administration
- Information and Communication Engineering
- Infectious Disease Prevention and Control
- Comparative Education
- Curriculum and Methodology
The cohort includes master’s and PhD-level study.
Important
Because bilateral scholarship calls are announced periodically, Liberians should monitor the Liberia Ministry of Education scholarship announcements for the next application round.
8. Erasmus Mundus MAPP — Public Policy
This is a particularly interesting option for Liberians interested in government, development and public administration.
The Liberia Ministry of Education previously partnered with the EU Liberia Office to promote the Erasmus Mundus Master of Arts in Public Policy (MAPP) scholarship.
Complete Liberia Scholarship Guide 2026/2027; The programme was described as fully funded and information sessions were held in November 2025.
It is particularly relevant for applicants interested in:
- Public policy
- Government
- International development
- Economics
- Governance
- Public administration
- International relations
For future intakes, check the Erasmus Mundus programme website and the Ministry of Education’s scholarship announcements.
9. University of Liberia scholarships
Liberians who prefer to study locally should investigate the scholarship and financial-aid opportunities at the University of Liberia.
The university lists several forms of assistance.
President Honor Society
Full-time students taking at least 15 credits and achieving a GPA of 3.750–4.00 can receive:
- 100% tuition and fees
- US$25 monthly stipend during the academic semester
Dean’s Honor Roll
Students achieving a GPA of 3.500–3.749 can have school fees covered, although no stipend is provided.
Student Leadership Award
Selected student leaders with a GPA of at least 2.750 may receive tuition support.
Other support
The University of Liberia also lists programmes involving:
- Trustees of Donation for Education in Liberia
- Rodney Armstrong Scholar Program
- Liberia-Ghana Mission Scholarship
- Chinese Ambassador Scholarship
- Chinese Enterprise Scholarship
- NOCAL
- J.J. Roberts Foundation
- Ministry of Education
- Ministry of Defense
- Ministry of Finance
- Ministry of Justice
- National Legislature
- Presidential Affairs
- University alumni organisations
The exact requirements differ between programmes.
Official information: University of Liberia admission and scholarship information
10. Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa Scholarship
Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa is another programme Liberian students should monitor.
Complete Liberia Scholarship Guide 2026/2027; The Liberia government’s Youth Employability Zone currently lists a 2026 GPFA scholarship application with a deadline of 30 November 2026.
The programme information indicates that scholarship selection considers factors including:
- Academic excellence
- Commitment to succeed
- Financial need
Applicants generally need to obtain admission to their selected institution before submitting the scholarship application.
Female applicants and persons with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.
11. McCall MacBain Scholarship — Canada
⭐ Excellent option for Liberian graduates
The McCall MacBain Scholarship at McGill University is a major Canadian graduate scholarship.
It is designed for master’s and professional studies at McGill.
Funding
The scholarship provides:
- Tuition and fees
- Living stipend
- Summer funding options
- Mentorship
- Leadership development
- Relocation support where applicable
McGill currently describes the 2027 scholarship as a full scholarship for master’s or professional studies.
Deadline for international applicants
For the 2027 cohort, applicants who are not graduates/students of Canadian or U.S. universities and are not Canadians abroad have an application deadline of:
19 August 2026.
Therefore, as of 7 September 2026, this particular deadline has already passed for most Liberian applicants.
It is still an excellent scholarship to put on your 2027/28 planning calendar.
12. Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship — University of Toronto
This is one of Canada’s most prestigious undergraduate scholarships.
University of Toronto offers the Lester B. Pearson International Scholarship to exceptional international students.
Who is eligible?
For the 2027 intake, applicants must:
- Be international students requiring a Canadian study permit
- Be in their final year of secondary school during 2026/27 or have graduated no earlier than June 2026
- Begin studies at U of T in September 2027
- Be entering their first undergraduate degree
Funding
The scholarship covers:
- Tuition
- Books
- Incidental fees
- Full residence support
for four years.
Approximately 37 students are selected each year.
2026 deadlines
- School nomination: 9 October 2026
- U of T admission application: 16 October 2026
- Pearson scholarship application: 6 November 2026
This is a very important opportunity for Liberian secondary-school students.
13. UBC International Scholars Program — Canada
University of British Columbia offers the International Scholars Program for exceptional international undergraduate applicants.
The programme looks for students with:
- Exceptional academic performance
- Leadership qualities
- Significant community contributions
- Significant financial need
Who qualifies?
You generally need to:
- Be an international student
- Be entering UBC directly from secondary school
- Be applying for your first undergraduate degree
- Demonstrate significant financial need
2027 intake
Applications for September 2027 are scheduled to open in early October 2026.
The international scholarship deadline is:
15 November 2026.
This should be high on the list for academically strong Liberian high-school students.
14. Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is one of the largest scholarship networks for talented young Africans.
However, there is an important point:
There is no single “Mastercard Foundation Liberia application.”
The Foundation works through partner universities and organisations.
Liberian students therefore need to identify specific partner institutions/programmes accepting applications.
Complete Liberia Scholarship Guide 2026/2027; The Liberia Ministry of Education itself has previously published announcements for Mastercard Foundation opportunities, including a 2026 programme at Sciences Po.
One example is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at McGill, whose 2026 selection timeline included pre-screening followed by university admission and scholarship selection.
Typical target applicants
Depending on the partner programme:
- Academically talented African students
- Students facing significant financial barriers
- Young leaders
- Students committed to social/economic development
Do not pay an agent for a “Mastercard Foundation application.” Always verify the specific partner university.
15. DAAD Scholarships — Germany
DAAD provides numerous scholarships for international students.
One particularly relevant programme is Development-Related Postgraduate Courses (EPOS).
EPOS supports graduates from developing countries who want to study development-related postgraduate programmes at selected German universities.
Potential fields
Depending on the available programme:
- Development studies
- Economics
- Public policy
- Engineering
- Environmental sciences
- Health
- Agriculture
- Related development fields
Important
DAAD programmes have different eligibility rules and deadlines. Not every DAAD scholarship is open to every nationality.
Therefore, a Liberian applicant should use the DAAD scholarship database and check the specific programme’s country requirements before applying.
Official source: DAAD Development-Related Postgraduate Courses
16. Commonwealth Scholarships — Important warning for Liberians
This is an important correction to a common scholarship-listing mistake.
You may see websites listing Commonwealth Scholarships for African students, but Liberia is not currently on the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission’s eligible-country list for the 2027/28 Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship.
The official eligible-country list includes countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, The Gambia and others, but not Liberia.
Therefore:
❌ Commonwealth Master’s Scholarship
Not currently available to Liberian citizens under the listed 2027/28 eligibility rules.
The same caution applies to other Commonwealth schemes: always check the official country list before preparing an application.
17. GREAT Scholarships — Important warning
The GREAT Scholarships programme is another UK scholarship that frequently appears on African scholarship websites.
For 2026/27, however, the official British Council list covers 18 countries, including:
- Ghana
- Nigeria
- Kenya
- Egypt
- South Africa
- India
- Bangladesh
- Pakistan
- China
- Vietnam
- Turkey
- Mexico
Liberia is not on the 2026/27 eligible-country list.
So Liberian students should not waste time applying for a GREAT Scholarship unless a future cycle specifically adds Liberia.
18. Government of Liberia international scholarships
The Liberian Ministry of Education is one of the most important places to monitor.
Its official scholarship listings have included opportunities connected with:
- China
- Germany
- Japan
- Turkey
- Egypt
- Indonesia
- Morocco
- Colombia
- Bangladesh
- European Union programmes
- Mastercard Foundation
- Local Liberian scholarships
Complete Liberia Scholarship Guide 2026/2027; This is important because some government-to-government scholarships may not be widely advertised internationally.
The Ministry can announce them specifically for Liberian applicants.
19. What documents should Liberian students prepare?
Whether you are applying locally or internationally, prepare a scholarship folder containing:
Academic documents
- WAEC/WASSCE results
- High-school transcript
- University transcript
- Degree certificate
- Graduation certificate
- Academic awards
Identification
- Passport
- National identification where required
- Birth certificate where required
Application documents
- Updated CV
- Personal statement
- Scholarship essay
- Study plan
- Career plan
- Leadership statement
- Research proposal, for some master’s/PhD programmes
- Recommendation letters
Financial documents
Some need-based scholarships may request:
- Family income information
- Financial statements
- Evidence of financial need
- Household information
Language documents
Depending on the university:
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- Other accepted English-language evidence
Do not assume you automatically need IELTS. Some universities waive or accept alternatives depending on your educational background.
20. How to write a strong scholarship application
A common mistake is writing:
“I need this scholarship because I cannot afford university.”
Financial need may be important, but competitive scholarships want to know what you will accomplish with the opportunity.
A stronger application connects:
Your background → your achievements → your problem → your proposed study → your leadership → Liberia’s development.
Example
Instead of simply saying:
“I want to study public health.”
Explain:
“My experience observing barriers to healthcare access motivated me to pursue advanced training in public health policy. I intend to develop expertise in health-system planning and use it to strengthen evidence-based healthcare programmes in Liberia.”
The second approach demonstrates purpose and impact.
21. Scholarship strategy for different age groups
If you are a secondary-school student
Prioritize:
- Lester B. Pearson
- UBC International Scholars
- SHE-CAN, if eligible
- University-specific international scholarships
- Government of Liberia opportunities
If you are a university student
Prioritize:
- Presidential Scholarship
- University of Liberia scholarships
- Mastercard Foundation programmes
- Erasmus Mundus planning
- Government bilateral scholarships
If you are a bachelor’s graduate
Prioritize:
- Chevening
- Erasmus Mundus
- DAAD
- Mastercard Foundation
- McCall MacBain
- University-specific master’s scholarships
If you are seeking a PhD
Prioritize:
- Government bilateral scholarships
- DAAD
- University-funded PhD positions
- Research scholarships
- Specific international fellowship programmes
22. 2026/2027 scholarship calendar for Liberians
Here is a useful planning calendar.
September 2026
Focus on:
- Chevening
- UBC preparation
- Pearson preparation
- Erasmus Mundus programme research
- DAAD programme research
October 2026
Major month.
Potential deadlines include:
- 6 October — Chevening
- 9 October — Pearson school nomination
- 16 October — University of Toronto admission
- 20 October — Commonwealth Master’s — but not eligible for Liberians
- Erasmus Mundus programmes begin opening
November 2026
Important:
- 1 November — SHE-CAN Liberia
- 6 November — Pearson scholarship
- 15 November — UBC International Scholars
- GPFA deadline listed as 30 November 2026
December 2026–January 2027
Focus heavily on:
- Erasmus Mundus
- DAAD
- University scholarships
- Government scholarship announcements
Early 2027
Monitor:
- New Government of Liberia scholarship calls
- China scholarships
- Mastercard Foundation partner programmes
- University-funded scholarships
- New Erasmus Mundus calls
23. Top 10 opportunities I would prioritize
For a Liberian student, I would organize the opportunities this way:
🥇 1. Chevening
Best for: professionals seeking a UK master’s.
🥈 2. Erasmus Mundus
Best for: graduates seeking fully funded European master’s programmes.
🥉 3. Lester B. Pearson
Best for: exceptional secondary-school students seeking a Canadian undergraduate degree.
4. UBC International Scholars
Best for: high-achieving international high-school students with significant financial need.
5. SHE-CAN
Best for: high-achieving Liberian women aged 17–20.
6. Presidential Scholarship
Best for: Liberians studying at eligible institutions inside Liberia.
7. Government of Liberia bilateral scholarships
Best for: students seeking government-supported overseas study.
8. Mastercard Foundation
Best for: talented African students facing financial barriers.
9. DAAD
Best for: graduates interested in development-related master’s and research programmes in Germany.
10. University of Liberia scholarships
Best for: students who want to study locally while reducing tuition costs.
24. How to avoid scholarship scams
This is extremely important.
Never pay someone to “guarantee” a scholarship.
Legitimate programmes normally provide their application instructions through official websites.
For example, Chevening explicitly says its application is free and warns against third parties charging applicants.
The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission also warns applicants about third-party websites requesting personal information or supporting documents.
Red flags include:
- “Guaranteed scholarship”
- “Pay $100 to secure your place”
- “Send your passport to our agent”
- “Scholarship interview fee”
- “WhatsApp-only application”
- “We can guarantee your visa”
- “Send money before receiving admission”
Always start from the official scholarship provider or university website.
25. The best application strategy
Don’t apply for only one scholarship.
A better approach is to create a scholarship portfolio.
For example, a Liberian graduate could apply for:
- Chevening
- 3–5 Erasmus Mundus programmes
- 3–5 DAAD programmes where eligible
- Mastercard Foundation opportunities
- University-funded scholarships
- Government of Liberia opportunities
A secondary-school student could apply for:
- Pearson
- UBC International Scholars
- SHE-CAN if eligible
- University-specific full scholarships
- Government/local scholarships
This dramatically increases the number of opportunities available to you.
Bottom line
For 2026/2027, Liberian students have a substantial range of scholarship options, but eligibility varies considerably.
The most immediately important deadlines are Chevening on 6 October 2026, Pearson-related deadlines in October/November 2026, UBC International Scholars on 15 November 2026, SHE-CAN Liberia on 1 November 2026, and GPFA’s currently listed 30 November 2026 deadline.
Complete Liberia Scholarship Guide 2026/2027; For UK master’s study, prioritize Chevening. For European master’s programmes, prioritize Erasmus Mundus. For Canadian undergraduate study, look closely at Pearson and UBC. For young Liberian women, SHE-CAN deserves special attention.
For study inside Liberia, investigate the Presidential Scholarship, Ministry of Education scholarships and University of Liberia financial aid.