Financial aid for current students

African Graduate Support Fund

The African Graduate Support Fund provides awards of up to £2000 to African graduate students currently studying at the University of Oxford.

Applications should include a clear statement of the circumstances that necessitate the need for funding, the amount required, as well as how the fund will be used. Applicants may, if they wish, include a statement from a mentor, tutor or supervisor in support of their application. Information provided in the application will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

While the circumstances leading to an application will vary where applicable it would be useful for applicants to explain the need for support, their current circumstances and any steps taken or funding sought to address these circumstances.

Cuppy Africa Oxford Scholars Fund

Cuppy Africa Oxford Scholars Fund provides awards of up to £2000 to African graduate students currently studying at the University of Oxford. Cuppy studied at Oxford between 2021 and 2022, successfully undertaking an MSc in African Studies.

Florence Otedola, widely known as Cuppy, is a philanthropist, advocate, and changemaker dedicated to creating meaningful impact. As the founder of The Cuppy Foundation, she has raised over $17 million for Save the Children, directly supporting displaced children in Nigeria.

A passionate proponent of education, Cuppy has established hardship funds at her alma maters, including Oxford University, providing crucial support to African students facing financial barriers. In 2023, she was appointed the first international ambassador for King Charles III's The King's Trust, championing youth empowerment on a global stage.

In 2024, as the United Nations' official DJ, Cuppy moderated the opening session of the UN General Assembly, using her platform to inspire action on pressing global challenges. Her work embodies a steadfast commitment to equity, empowerment, and sustainable change.

The Cuppy Africa Oxford Scholars Fund aims to support future leaders from the continent by enabling them to access the necessary skills, resources and networks to maximise their impact across Africa and beyond. It will support African graduate students at the University to meet unexpected and urgent financial needs

Thrive Fund

• African graduate students at the University of Oxford who are ordinarily resident and have spent a significant part of their life in any African country before their admission to the University.
• The Fund will support students during their course of study. Students who have not yet started their studies or who have already completed their studies are not eligible.
• Students must be able to demonstrate in their statement of support that they are in need of financial assistance.

The committee is unable to support applications that fall outside the remit of the fund, particularly where more appropriate sources of support exist within the University.

As such, we do not provide funding for:

• Academic or other support courses
• Attendance at academic conferences
• Fieldwork or other research costs
• Purchase of devices such as laptops, phones, or other electronic equipment

We encourage students to explore funding opportunities available through their departments and colleges for these expenses.

You will be notified about the outcome of your application via email.

Kindly take note that in the event of being granted an award, it is important to be aware that the payment process may take some time to complete. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.