BACKGROUND

What is the Study Access Alliance?

The Study Access Alliance is a scholarship provider for disadvantaged students in African countries who are financially unable to fund their university education.

The Study Access Alliance was initiated in 2022 by the IU Group as a non-profit organization (limited liability company (LLC), “gemeinnützige GmbH” in German).

What is the aim of the Study Access Alliance?

The Study Access Alliance aims to make university education accessible for everyone with a scholarship program for high-quality online degrees at internationally accredited universities. The goal is to provide 100,000 scholarships to study and create links to the job market.

Which communities does the Study Access Alliance aim to serve?

The Study Access Alliance aims to serve disadvantaged students who are financially unable to fund their education in African countries. To do so, the Study Access Alliance collaborates with local organizations, NGOs, businesses, universities, education groups and local governments in the respective countries which are already working in providing education opportunities to students in need. By collaborating with groups on a local level, students with a financial disadvantage are better supported directly and onsite.

When will the Study Access Alliance be made available?

The Study Access Alliance pilots will start in June 2022. Students can only apply directly via partners in respective countries. Links to all opportunities to apply will be available on the Study Access Alliance website. More information can be found here: STUDY ACCESS ALLIANCE – EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH FUTURE SKILLS (study-access-alliance.org).

THE OFFER

What does the Study Access Alliance offer?

The Study Access Alliance collaborates with local groups in the respective countries to offer scholarships for studying at accredited universities. In doing so, the Study Access Alliance provides via its local partners access to education and links to the job market for students in need.

Who is eligible to receive a scholarship via the Study Access Alliance?

The Study Access Alliance provides full scholarships for online university degrees to people who would otherwise not be financially able to study. Applications will be accepted through our partner organizations only. We are publishing all open application opportunities on this website.

There are some minimum eligibility criteria for getting a scholarship. These will be applied by all partners of the Study Access Alliance when selecting students for scholarships:

• Applicants must meet the general admission requirements for the selected bachelor’s or master’s degree at the partner universities offering their programs within the Study Access Alliance
• Applicants must have the citizenship of an African country
• Applicants must live in an African country at the time of application
• Applicants must sign a self-declaration stating their financial need for a scholarship

The full criteria for a scholarship will be published on the Study Access Alliance website as applications open, however, they will be managed by the local partners in the respective countries. For more information on applying for a scholarship and the requirements, visit: For Students – STUDY ACCESS ALLIANCE (study-access-alliance.org).

FOR PARTNERS

Who is the Study Access Alliance partnering with?

The Study Access Alliance partners with NGOs, businesses, universities, education organizations and local governments in the respective African countries.

With its partners, the Study Access Alliance provides scholarships for online university degrees for people in Africa who would otherwise not be able to study. For more information on our partners, or how to become a partner, visit For Partners – STUDY ACCESS ALLIANCE (study-access-alliance.org).

In which countries is the Study Access Alliance active?

The Study Access Alliance is looking for partners in all African countries to offer scholarships to people who need this support in order to study at a university. Currently, our partnerships provide scholarships in Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda. Anyone interested in partnering with the Study Access Alliance in any other African countries, or even those already mentioned, please visit For Partners – STUDY ACCESS ALLIANCE (study-access-alliance.org).  

How are the scholarships funded? Are there any costs for the students?

Our academic partners offer scholarships within the Study Access Alliance for less than 10% of the regular tuition fees. The remaining amount for each scholarship is covered by partners of the Study Access Alliance. With a scholarship, the university studies for the chosen program in the standard period of study are at no cost for the students and there are no other fees related to the application for a scholarship, the enrollment at the university or the studies themselves.

If you want to make a donation or become a funding partner, we’d be happy to hear from you!

Which universities are offering the education?

The Study Access Alliance partners with higher education institutions to provide internationally recognized, top-quality education to its scholarship recipients. Currently, scholarship recipients can study at IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU), Germany’s largest private university which offers around 40 online bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English.

Other universities and colleges interested in partnering with the Study Access Alliance should visit: For Partners – STUDY ACCESS ALLIANCE (study-access-alliance.org).

APPLICATION

What documents does Study Access Alliance need from me?

We will need a copy of your ID or passport, a proof of residence and a signed self-declaration for financial need. You will hand in those documents via the organization that you are applying through. Please don’t send them directly to Study Access Alliance.

What admission criteria do your partner universities have?

You can find all admission criteria on the websites of our academic partners. For IU International University of Applied Sciences please check IU’s website.

How do I enrol at IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) with my scholarship?

The organization that you applied through for your scholarship, will send your application to IU. IU then checks your documents. IU will enrol you if you meet all necessary admission criteria. This decision sits with IU alone. IU will reach out to you once you have been enroled or if there are documents missing.

SCHOLARSHIPS & CONTRACTS

Will I have to pay tuition fees to IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) and/or Study Access Alliance (Study Access Alliance)?

No, if you have been selected for a scholarship by the organization that you are applying through and by Study Access Alliance and have signed the scholarship contract you will not be charged any tuition fees.

I have received an invoice with tuition fees. What should I do?

If you are being charged with tuition fees by any party please reach out to info@study-access-alliance.org

I received a study contract from IU with tuition fees. Is this correct?

IU will send you a study contract which indicates tuition fees on the first page. With the contract you will also received a supplementary agreement. In §2 of the supplementary agreement it is stated that the tuition fees that the student has to pay to IU will be reduced to 0,00€. Thus, IU will not charge you. Please note that the organization that you applied through should also not charge you for the scholarship.

What contracts will I have to sign as a Study Access Alliance student?

You will have to sign a scholarship contract with Study Access Alliance as well as a study contract with IU.

Does the scholarship cover costs for translation of documents, laptop, internet access, etc.?

No, the Study Access Alliance scholarship covers only the tuition fees to your studies.

Will I be charged with any additional costs?

The candidate (you) must not be charged any application- or study-related costs by the Study Access Alliance nor any other organization or individual, i.e., no tuition fee, enrollment fee, application fee and examination fee. This does not include costs which the candidate (you) incurs in order to meet the admission requirements, like for example translation of documents, English skills certification, internet access, laptop, etc. The Candidate is obliged to notify the Study Access Alliance if any payments were made before, during or after the application and/or studies at the Partner University.

STUDIES

How much time do I have to finish my degree?

Study Access Alliance will cover your tuition cost for the duration of the standard period of study. The standard period of study depends on your selected degree program. The standard period of study starts with the starting date of your studies.

What happens if I don’t finish my degree within the standard period of study?

It might be possible for you to prolong your studies at our academic partner. However, Study Access Alliance won’t be able to cover the costs. This means you will have to pay the tuition fees for the remaining time. Please check with the university where you study at for more details.

I have technical problems with the IU learning platform myCampus. What should I do?

Please contact the IU IT help desk: techsupport@iu.org

I have questions regarding the IU learning platform my Campus.

You can find an explanatory video here.