Championing HALI students from the African continent to university and beyond
About Us
The HALI Access Network is an association of non-profit organizations in Africa that work with high-achieving, low-income (HALI) students to access international higher education opportunities. We strive to level the playing field in international education to increase inclusion, access, and scholarship support for remarkable students who only lack finances to make their educational dreams come true.
Our Mission
We believe in the power of education to change communities and in the impact our students have on college and university campuses. By building a coalition of university access organizations from across the African continent, we help empower the next generation of community-builders through their higher education journeys.
HALI = High-Achieving, Low-Income
member organizations across sub-Saharan continent
countries where our member organizations operate
Friends of HALI who support our mission
Our organizations support over 2000 students annually
Students of our member organizations receive $150M in grants and scholarships annually
Our Objectives
Advocate
Through its advocacy work, the network seeks to support all HALI students by advocating for admissions, financial support, scholarships, and fairness in the application process.
Connect
We bring together professionals from around the world and both sides of the admissions desk to help African HALI students pursue their higher educational goals.
Support
Just as each of our Member Organizations supports its HALI students, the network supports its members through mentorship and professional development opportunities.
HALI Indaba
The HALI Indaba is an annual gathering of non-profit organizations and schools united in one mission: to support high-achieving, low-income students from across Africa in their search for a quality tertiary education. Since 2016, the Indabas have brought HALI organizations, admissions officers, and relevant stakeholders together to share our experiences, our strategies, and our stories. The Indabas provide a strategic opportunity for professional development, building connections, and a space for HALI members and friends to advocate for education access and inclusion.
HALI Access Network is a Master’s and PhD nominating agency for the Commonwealth Scholarship scheme. Applicants must be eligible for admission to a participating university/course AND have prior affiliation with one of the HALI Access Network’s member organizations. We cannot nominate applicants who are not already affiliated with one of our member organizations and we do not accept individuals as members or new affiliates. Prospective applicants should contact their HALI member organization for more information about the nomination process.
Rise
HALI Access Network is a proud partner of Rise, an initiative of Schmidt Futures and the Rhodes Trust, a program that finds promising young people and provides them with opportunities as they work to serve others. The program seeks young people ages 15 to 17 and encourages a lifetime of service and learning by providing support that may include need-based scholarships, mentorship, networking, access to career development opportunities, and the potential for additional funding as Rise Global Winners work to develop bold ideas for public benefit. If you are, or know, a young person who meets the program eligibility criteria, encourage them to participate in the Rise 100 days challenge.
100 Days Challenge
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Our latest news
The Contrasting Realities of ‘Jacaranda Season’ at Makomborero Zimbabwe
When the Jacaranda flowers are in full bloom, filling the air with a mild yet sweet scent, and they start to fall, creating a purple carpet on the Zimbabwe landscape, then teachers and students know it’s time for the O-level and A-level exams to begin. While most people are filled with the hope and sense of newness that this ‘Jacaranda season’ brings, many young people around the country approach their O-Level exams with little to no hope for their future.
Mastercard Foundation Friends of HALI: Collaboration
Recently, a group of Friends of HALI collaborated to engage with HALI (high-achieving, low-income) students and access organizations in Kenya. This initiative was part of a broader outreach program organized by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa, which hosted three partner universities: the University of Pretoria, the University of Rwanda, and Ashesi University.
SHOFCO Alumni Spotlight: Ellie
Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO) is a grassroots movement that catalyzes the large-scale transformation of urban slums by providing critical services for all, community advocacy platforms, and education & leadership development for women and girls.