Prodigy Finance has supported postgraduate students heading to some of the world’s leading universities for years.

Its scholarship programmes are focused around where funding and guidance can make the biggest difference, and that focus shifts year to year, from India and Latin America to Africa, as well as established global markets.

The first scholarship round for 2026 is now open to African students, where ambition and talent run deep and many prospective postgraduates still lack clear, structured routes into international education

Over time, the Prodigy team learned something simple from speaking with students: funding helps, and guidance changes outcomes.

For years, Prodigy Finance has invested thousands of dollars in scholarships, but students need plans, dependable information, and practical tools, alongside financial support. That insight is why NovaGrad exists: one place designed to help students organise their choices, move through applications, and stay on track from first shortlist to final enrolment. With this scholarship, Prodigy Finance says it is just getting started.

Globally, the demand for international degrees is on the rise, and the process is becoming more competitive and expensive. Students are often asked to move fast after receiving an offer, with visa requirements and funding deadlines running in parallel.

This scholarship offers support at that critical stage, helping African students make the jump from offer letter to international campus.

This scholarship includes two forms of support from applying to enrollment, both accessed through NovaGrad.

First, tuition and living expense support of up to USD 2,500 per student for 10 students, where financial support clearly bridges the gap between receiving an offer and being able to enrol.

Awards are limited, and competitive students who demonstrate strong merit and genuine financial need, have a realistic shortlist of universities, and can submit a complete application through NovaGrad within the stated deadlines will be given priority.

Shortlisted applicants may be asked to provide additional documentation to confirm eligibility and reimbursement details before support is issued.

Second, application fee support, providing application fee reimbursement up to USD 200 per student for students who submit their university applications through NovaGrad A total of 100 students will be selected for this opportunity.

This support is issued as a reimbursement once the application submission is verified and accepted via the platform.

Applications submitted outside NovaGrad do not qualify. Students register or log in on NovaGrad, enter a valid waiver code if applicable, submit their university application via NovaGrad, and once verified, the reimbursement is processed.

Sonal Kapoor, global chief business officer at Prodigy Finance, said,

“African students have consistently demonstrated exceptional ambition and academic strength. Over the years, we have seen students from across the continent succeed at some of the world’s top institutions. This scholarship gives them a focused opportunity, and NovaGrad helps bring clarity to every step around it.”

Mariana Alcocer, spokesperson for NovaGrad, added,

“African students are among the most talented we see, yet many still lack the exposure or networks that help others access global education. This programme is about recognising that talent and creating a pathway forward.”

Applicants can also upload a short video in Social media explaining why they deserve the scholarship, tagging NovaGrad.

Genuine, well-considered submissions receive additional points towards the application. Families, friends, and professional networks are encouraged to share the video to support the student and help their story travel further.

Applications are now open through NovaGrad, and Prodigy Finance’s message is clear: global education should be defined by merit and ambition, not geography or circumstance.

How to Apply

Visit here to apply.

Launched through NovaGrad, its education access platform, the scholarship is part of what the company calls its Next Chapter initiative, combining direct financial support with application guidance for students seeking postgraduate study abroad.

Prodigy Finance has funded postgraduate students at leading universities for years with its scholarship focus changing from one region to another.

In previous cycles, it targeted India and Latin America, alongside more established markets. This time, the attention is on Africa.

The company says it has learned from years of working with students. Funding is essential, but guidance also impacts outcomes. Many applicants find it difficult to organise their choices, meet deadlines and manage visa and funding requirements at the same time.

NovaGrad was set up to bring those steps into one place, from shortlist to enrolment.

Demand for international degrees is growing. At the same time, costs are increasing and timelines are tight. Students constantly need to secure funding quickly after receiving an offer. This scholarship is designed to support them at that stage.

There are two parts to the support package.

First, 10 students will receive up to $2,500 each to cover tuition and living costs. Priority will go to candidates who show strong academic merit, proof of financial need and a realistic shortlist of universities.

Applicants must complete their submissions through NovaGrad before the stated deadline. Shortlisted candidates may need to provide extra documents to confirm eligibility before funds are released.

Second, 100 students will qualify for application fee reimbursement of up to $200 each. This applies only to university applications submitted through NovaGrad. Once the platform verifies and accepts the submission, the reimbursement will be processed. Applications made outside NovaGrad will not qualify.

Students are required to register or log in on the platform, enter a valid waiver code where applicable, and submit their university applications through it.

Sonal Kapoor, global chief business officer at Prodigy Finance, said, “African students have consistently demonstrated exceptional ambition and academic strength. Over the years, we have seen students from across the continent succeed at some of the world’s top institutions. This scholarship gives them a focused opportunity, and NovaGrad helps bring clarity to every step around it.”

Mariana Alcocer, spokesperson for NovaGrad, added, “African students are among the most talented we see, yet many still lack the exposure or networks that help others access global education. This programme is about recognising that talent and creating a pathway forward.”

Applicants may also upload a short video on social media explaining why they deserve the scholarship and tag NovaGrad. Thoughtful submissions will earn additional points and families, friends and professional networks are encouraged to share the videos to broaden visibility.

Applications are now open through NovaGrad. Prodigy Finance says the goal is to ensure access to global education depends on merit and ambition, not geography.

The goal is to give every ambitious student the clarity, guidance, and confidence they need regardless of their background.

Prodigy Finance, a popular brand known for funding international students, has helped more than 45,000 masters students from 150 countries and has disbursed over USD 2.3 billion in funding.

Prodigy Finance launched its first standalone scholarship programmes in 2024, and the response far exceeded the team’s expectations.

Applications from across the world came in quickly with even better numbers than expected.

The surge made one thing clear: students everywhere are looking for scholarships, guidance, clarity and practical tools that can help them turn their ambition into action.

This insight helped shape the platform. Many students still face steep tuition fees, shifting visa rules, complex admissions processes and limited access to reliable information. The initiative has been created to make those first steps clearer and easier to manage.

As interest grows across LATAM and Africa, universities have also stepped into the mission, recognising that students who arrive prepared are far more likely to succeed.

The platform is an AI-enabled planning tool that supports students throughout their study-abroad journey.

It helps them explore courses, compare universities, understand their financial options and prepare strong, clear applications.

Students can research programmes across the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and many other countries, understand what each university expects and organise their plans in one place.

With visa policies evolving globally, students can also turn to the platform to make sense of timelines, documentation and opportunities in newer destinations.

The tool supports students as they prepare to apply for university and their student visa. The platform helps them understand each step of the process and gives them the confidence to submit a strong, well-planned application.

At a time when many young people feel uncertain about AI, NovaGrad offers a different narrative. While much of today’s technology is built to impress, NovaGrad’s tools are built to empower.

The platform helps students identify relevant universities and opportunities, understand their next steps and navigate a global admissions landscape that can feel overwhelming without support. Rather than replacing human potential, the technology amplifies it, giving learners clarity as they make important decisions about their future.

The platform uses AI to guide students through each step and pairs this with personalised support from experienced counsellors who help them plan their next move with confidence.

Sonal Kapoor, global chief business officer at Prodigy Finance, said

“2025 has been one of our strongest years yet. We launched several scholarship programmes globally, and the interest from students across Africa and LATAM was remarkable.

Even though each cycle can only support a small number of winners, our recent Prodigy Finance Awards granted close to USD 40,000 to eight international students, including learners from Africa and Mexico.

It became clear that we needed a broader solution for this region.

She further added that after nearly a year of work, we have launched a platform where students can explore multiple scholarship options, receive guidance on choosing universities and prepare their statements of purpose with confidence. That is why we built this service.

It gives learners clarity about their choices and helps them plan their journey with purpose. This isn’t the kind of AI that replaces talent, it’s the kind that helps students unlock it.”

Mariana Alcocer, head of Acquisition Strategy at Prodigy Finance and Spokesperson for NovaGrad, added

“I grew up in Colombia, and I know what it feels like to want something bigger than the place you grew up in. Many students across LATAM and Africa carry that same determination. They are ambitious and ready to work hard, yet the path in front of them isn’t always clear. The platform gives students the kind of guidance I wish I had in the past, a place where your options make sense and you don’t feel lost or alone.”

She further added:

“Students aren’t looking for shortcuts. They want clarity. They want to know which universities align with their goals and how to present a strong application. The service brings all of that into one space. When students have the right tools, they move from doubt to confidence. That shift is exactly what the platform is built for.”

With NovaGrad, Prodigy Finance expands its mission beyond lending. After supporting students from more than 150 countries with over USD 2.3 billion in funding, the company is now investing earlier in the journey to ensure students feel prepared long before they apply.