UndergraduateFully Funded

Davis-United World College Scholars Program

Last verified 15 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The Davis-United World College Scholars Program at Colby College offers scholarships to students from United World Colleges (UWC) who matriculate at Colby. This program is part of an initiative to support international students dedicated to making a positive social impact.

Provider: Colby College
Host country: United States
Region: Americas

Visit official site

Topics

Fully funded scholarships

Eligibility & requirements at a glance

Davis-United World College Scholars Program is open to African students applying to study in United States at the Undergraduate level, with fully funded funding. Below is a quick summary of who can apply, what's covered, and the key dates — full details are further down the page.

Who can apply: Undergraduate · applicants for United States
Funding: Fully Funded
Study level: Undergraduate
Deadline

Key eligibility criteria

Applicants must be graduates of one of the 18 United World Colleges and be admitted to Colby College.

What the fully funded award covers

Accommodation

About the Davis-United World College Scholars Program (2026)

## Overview The Davis-United World College (UWC) Scholars Program at Colby College is a prestigious scholarship initiative designed to support graduates from the global network of United World Colleges. This program reflects Colby College's commitment to diversity, international understanding, and attracting students who have demonstrated a dedication to positive social change. As part of a larger philanthropic effort by Shelby Davis, the program aims to foster a cohort of globally-minded leaders within the Colby community. Students who are admitted to Colby College and have graduated from one of the UWC schools are automatically considered for this scholarship, which is designed to provide comprehensive financial support throughout their undergraduate studies. ## Benefits Recipients of the Davis-United World College Scholars Program at Colby College receive a fully-funded scholarship. This comprehensive award covers the full cost of tuition, housing, meals, and other associated fees, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder a scholar's ability to pursue their education at Colby. The scholarship aims to eliminate the financial burden for UWC graduates, allowing them to focus entirely on their academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, and community engagement. Beyond financial support, scholars become part of a vibrant international community at Colby, benefiting from a rich academic environment and opportunities for leadership and global engagement. ## Eligibility To be eligible for the Davis-United World College Scholars Program, applicants must fulfill the following criteria: * Be a graduate of one of the 18 United World Colleges located around the globe. * Be admitted to Colby College as an undergraduate student. There is no separate application process for the Davis UWC Scholarship; eligibility is determined automatically based on the applicant's UWC background and admission to Colby College. Colby College is committed to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial need for all admitted students, including international students, through its comprehensive financial aid program. ## Required Documents While there is no specific scholarship application, prospective Davis UWC Scholars must complete the full application process for admission to Colby College, which typically includes: * Official UWC transcripts and academic records. * Standardized test scores (if required or submitted). * Essays and personal statements. * Letters of recommendation. * Financial aid application forms (such as the CSS Profile and tax documents) to demonstrate financial need, as Colby College is committed to meeting the full demonstrated need of all admitted students. Applicants should ensure all required admission and financial aid documents are submitted by Colby College’s deadlines for first-year or transfer applicants. ## How to Apply There is no separate application for the Davis-United World College Scholars Program. Graduates of United World Colleges who wish to be considered for this scholarship must apply for admission to Colby College through the regular application process. It is crucial to indicate your UWC affiliation clearly in your college application. Upon admission, eligible UWC graduates will be automatically considered for the Davis UWC scholarship as part of Colby College's broader commitment to meeting demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. For detailed instructions on applying to Colby College, please visit the official Colby Admissions website. ## Key Dates The Davis-United World College Scholars Program does not have a specific scholarship application deadline. Rather, prospective scholars must adhere to Colby College's admission application deadlines. These dates vary depending on whether you apply Early Decision I, Early Decision II, or Regular Decision. Please refer to the Colby College Admissions website for the most current application deadlines for incoming first-year students. ## Selection Criteria Selection for the Davis-United World College Scholars Program is primarily based on two factors: * **Admission to Colby College:** Applicants must successfully gain admission to Colby College, demonstrating academic excellence, strong leadership potential, and alignment with Colby's values. * **Graduation from a United World College:** Verification of graduation from one of the 18 United World Colleges is essential. Colby College’s admission process is highly selective, focusing on students who will contribute positively to the campus community and excel academically. The scholarship then ensures that financial need does not prevent admitted UWC graduates from attending. ## Tips * **Highlight your UWC experience:** In your Colby College application, emphasize your experiences and learning from your time at a United World College. Showcase how your UWC education has shaped your global perspective, leadership skills, and commitment to service. * **Demonstrate Financial Need:** Ensure you complete all required financial aid forms accurately and comprehensively to demonstrate your financial need, as Colby College aims to meet 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students. * **Academic Excellence:** Maintain strong academic performance at your UWC to enhance your competitive edge for admission to Colby College. * **Extracurricular Engagement:** Participate in extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership roles that align with the UWC mission and demonstrate your potential to contribute to Colby's vibrant community. * **Early Application:** If Colby College is your top choice, consider applying through an Early Decision plan to potentially increase your chances of admission. ## Official Source For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the Davis-United World College Scholars Program and admissions to Colby College, please refer to the official Colby College website and specifically the Student Financial Services section: [https://www.colby.edu/sfs/types-of-aid/scholarships/davis-uwc-scholars-program/](https://www.colby.edu/sfs/types-of-aid/scholarships/davis-uwc-scholars-program/) Prospective students are encouraged to contact the Colby College Admissions Office or Student Financial Services directly for any specific questions about the application or scholarship process.

What the Fully Funded Davis-United World College Scholars Program covers

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

Accommodation

Davis-United World College Scholars Program eligibility for United States applicants

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

Applicants must be graduates of one of the 18 United World Colleges and be admitted to Colby College.

Documents required for the Davis-United World College Scholars Program application

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

Valid international passport (bio page scan)
Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
Standardised test scores where required (SAT or ACT for many U.S. universities)
Secondary-school leaving certificate (WAEC, KCSE, NSC, EGSECE or equivalent)
Financial-need declaration or family-income statement (sponsor-specific template)
Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply for the Davis-United World College Scholars Program 2026

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

1
Confirm eligibility on the official site
Open https://www.colby.edu/sfs/types-of-aid/scholarships/davis-uwc-scholars-program/ and verify your country, level of study and English-language status against the current call. Sponsor rules change between intakes — never rely on third-party summaries alone.
2
Secure a study place or admission offer
Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.
3
Sit required tests and gather documents
Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.
4
Draft your essays and statements
Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.
5
Complete the online application
Create an account on https://www.colby.edu/sfs/types-of-aid/scholarships/davis-uwc-scholars-program/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.
6
Submit at least one week before the deadline
Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
7
Prepare for shortlist interviews
If shortlisted, Colby College will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

Davis-United World College Scholars Program deadline & application timeline

The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.

12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the Davis-United World College Scholars Program?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Undergraduate level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Colby College, and be able to relocate to United States for the duration of the programme.

Is the Davis-United World College Scholars Program fully funded?+

Funding model: Fully Funded. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is . Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

Guides for this scholarship

Explore related programmes

Long-form sponsor guides, country pages and category pages connected to this scholarship.

Browse by category & country

Related hubs

Open the broader hub pages for every country, destination and field this scholarship touches.

By destination

Study in USA