Wells Mountain Initiative (WMI) is a US charity that gives undergraduate scholarships to students in developing countries who give time to their communities. The scholarship is partial and small by South African university standards, so it suits students who already have some funding and need help to close a gap.
Do South African students qualify for WMI?
Yes, if you study in South Africa. WMI does not publish a formal list of eligible countries. Instead it looks for students from the developing world who will study in their home country (or their home region when no local programme exists) and who plan to live and work there after graduating. South Africa appears on WMI’s 2026 country list for its scholars’ conference travel, which shows WMI already funds South African scholars.
WMI does not fund study in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom or Western Europe, even if you promise to come home afterwards.
WMI’s ideal scholar, point by point
- Aged 35 or younger on 1 August 2027 (for the 2027 round).
- Finished matric or in Grade 12 now, with above-average or excellent marks.
- Applying to university, or already enrolled in a first undergraduate degree or diploma. All fields of study qualify.
- Has a record of volunteer work and will do at least 100 hours of community service every year of study.
- Has some money for study but cannot afford university without more support.
- Preferably the first in the family to go to university, although WMI does not require it.
Family members of WMI staff and of current WMI scholars cannot apply. You do not need a university acceptance letter to apply, but WMI pays nothing until an accredited programme accepts you.
US$300 to US$3,000 a year: check your budget first
WMI’s FAQ says its awards range from US$300 to US$3,000 a year, and only a few scholars get the maximum. WMI warns that if your yearly costs are above US$3,000 and you cannot cover the difference, the scholarship will not be enough and your application may not be competitive. Don’t inflate your expenses. For many South African students the WMI award works best alongside NSFAS or a larger bursary such as the SARB external bursary for first-years.
Funding usually continues for the whole qualification as long as you keep above-average marks, complete your service hours and send WMI an academic report, an expense tracker with receipts and a community service report with photos.
2027 round: 1 December 2026 to 1 March 2027
WMI publishes the 2027 application on its website on 1 December 2026 and accepts completed applications from that day. The deadline is 1 March 2027. In the last cycle WMI’s cut-off was 11:59pm US Eastern time, which is early on 2 March in South Africa, but submit well before then. WMI emails selected scholars on 1 August and posts their names on its website and Facebook page; it also emails applicants who were not selected.
The form will appear on WMI’s prospective scholars page. WMI takes applications only through its online portal, not by email, and disqualifies duplicate applications. There is no fee.
What to prepare before December
- Your official school transcript and any university transcripts, each with a grading key that explains the marks. WMI disqualifies transcripts without a key. Leave out primary school results.
- Two recommendation letters from people who know you well but are not family or close friends, such as a teacher, religious leader, volunteer supervisor or employer. The letters must be signed, dated, less than a year old and on letterhead where possible. Your recommenders upload them through WMI’s portal by the same deadline.
- A record of your service work: dates, activities, hours and photos.
- Your own essays in English. WMI treats uncredited AI-generated text as plagiarism and rejects those applications.
Competition is stiff: in one recent year WMI chose 104 scholars from more than 1,600 complete applications. Apply for local funding at the same time; the general bursaries list covers awards open to any field.