A path of ambition
USEF Scholarships are for students who want to transform their community.
you are the future.
Fellowships and scholarships at USEF are not starting points. They come after consistent work.
If you stay involved, take responsibility, and follow through — we help you move forward.
There are three stages of growth
Show passion as a Volunteer
Take on structured responsibility as a Fellow
Design and execute projects as a Scholar
apply and serve.
Applications are reviewed by a transparent and rigorous process. Fellowships are limited to active USEF student volunteers. Nana Asmau Scholarship is open to all students. See details below before applying.
Earn your education.
All fellowships/scholarships are service-based, meaning they are awarded after completion of minimum service hours within the term of the fellowship/scholarship. Applicants must be actively enrolled in some kind of education or committed to some educational pathway.
understand the pathway
join the team as a student
Join a team by signing up as a volunteer, and show reliability by completing 50 hours of service.
apply for fellowship
Apply through the rolling application, complete your interview, and move into a regular role (~10 hrs/week)
Build experience
After completing your first fellowship (6 months), you may become a senor fellow with double the award.
take on leadership
Once a year apply to become a Nana Asmau Scholar. Propose a project, execute it, and publish a report.
The nana asmau scholarship
Why Nana Asmau?
We chose Nana Asma’u because she represents exactly what this program is meant to produce.
Born in 1793 in what is now Nigeria, she was a scholar, educator, and community leader who dedicated her life to teaching and uplifting women, a vulnerable population at the time, through knowledge, writing, and organized outreach. She was named after Asma bint Abu Bakr, reflecting a legacy of strength, service, and integrity.
Her work was not symbolic, she transformed her community. That is the standard for every Nana Asmau Scholar.
Benefits of becoming a nana asmau scholar
Receive $5,000 after completing the one-year scholarship to help cover costs of education
Join the Executive Team of USEF, where you will lead a project of your choice, and gain that one-of-a-kind experience
Share your work by submitting a report to a reputable publication, sharing your plan, impact, and lessons.
After completing scholarship, opportunity to receive renewal and become a Senior Scholar, with $10,000 award
How can i become a nana asmau scholar?
Apply for Nana Asmau Scholarship (in the summer), prepare the following:
Resume/CV (updated LinkedIn preferred)
3 letters of recommendation (one each from USEF Team member, local community member, and leader of one of the community organizations)
3-Page Personal statement (life story, past service, project proposal, and connection to Nana Asmau)
Be selected through committee review
Applications reviewed by admissions committee, including 5 confidential leaders of the community
Top candidates invited for interview based on publicly shared criteria
Attend award ceremony, and complete commitment
What is expected of a nana asmau scholar?
Once you have come a Nana Asmau Scholar you are now a representative of USEF, your character, passion, and professionalism must be at the highest level as you lead a project to make measurable change in your community.
Complete service commitment of 500 hours over 52 weeks
Complete scholarly project, including:
Preparation of project proposal in first week
Revise project until approved by USEF Board
Submit monthly updates on projects (shared online)
Finalize report with advisor, before publication
Fellowship programs
What is a fellowship?
A USEF Fellowship a structured opportunity to take on a 6-month internship role in one of our programs. Fellows are expected to complete 250 hours of service over a 6 month period, and will be awarded $1,000 at the completion of the term. Different fellowship programs have different primary responsibilities but all will include general operational and team-support roles.
Benefits of becoming a fellow
Receive $1,000 after completing the six-month scholarship to help cover costs of education
Join the Core Team of USEF, where you will directly serve the community, and gain that one-of-a-kind experience
After completing fellowship, opportunity to receive renewal and become a Senior Fellow, with $2,000 award
Receive automatic annual invitation to apply to Nana Asmau Scholarship. Your Fellowship advisor will write your USEF letter of recommendation, and help you craft your application.
How can i become a Fellow?
Apply for Fellowship. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year, and interviews offered once a certain threshold is reached. Prepare the following:
Complete 50 hours of volunteering for USEF
Resume/CV (updated LinkedIn preferred)
Letter of recommendation from your USEF Advisor (written once 50 hours are done)
2 Essays, prompts shown in application
Be selected through committee review
Applications reviewed by admissions committee, including 5 confidential leaders of the community
Top candidates invited for interview based on publicly shared criteria
Complete one week orientation, ended by award ceremony.
What is expected of a fellow?
All Fellows are expected to complete their orientation, 250 hours of service over 26 weeks, and specific-program related duties.
Currently, USEF only offers a Wasila Fellowship. In a Wasila Fellowship you are focused on improving community welfare and are expected to do the following:
Complete family counseling training courses (included in week-long orientation, all certification costs covered)
Assist assigned families with wrap-around family counseling, examples include:
Application to state/government welfare programs
Education for themselves and their children
Finding them a job and becoming financially secure
Basic needs support, including housing, food, etc.