At the honorary degree ceremony, Amherst College President Anthony W. Marx announced that Amherst would become the first college in the United States to receive Nelson Mandela scholars, which are selected by the admission office. The students, who will receive need-based scholarships, will be citizens of either South Africa or Mozambique.
Amherst hopes to enroll two Mandela Scholarships each year.
The first Mandela Scholar enrolled at Amherst in September 2006.
All students from South Africa or Mozambique who apply to Amherst and apply for need-based financial aid are automatically considered for Mandela Scholarships. There is no separate application process. Students who are accepted to Amherst and who enroll as Mandela Scholars will receive need-based aid to attend Amherst.
“Nelson Mandela is an inspiration to our students, alumni, and the world,” said Amherst College President Anthony W. Marx. “In his lifetime, he has changed the world. He made possible things that seemed impossible. Amherst College is honored to recognize him with these scholarships. We will use them to provide the finest education to talented young people, in hope that they too may one day have a transformative effect on their world.”
For more information about the Mandela Scholarship, please contact the admission office at admissions@amherst.edu.