What African American Scholarships Can Students Apply For?
There are many African American scholarships to apply for. Some notable organizations that offer black scholarships are Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Jackie Robinson Foundation, NAACP, and UNCF.
In the past decade, the number of African American students has gone up by 14%. Studies by the NCES also show that out of 16.3 million undergrads, about 2.2 million are Black who are pursuing higher education.
Still, Black students are less likely to graduate ‘on time’. About 4 out of 10 African American students who seek a bachelor’s degree do so in 6 years.
One of the popular sources is the United Negro College Fund. Each year, UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarship dollars every year.
The Congressional Black Caucus Fund is another organization that offers African American scholarships. CBCF awards more than 300 scholarship each year. These awards tend to go to eligible students with academic achievement and community involvement.
To apply, most scholarships for African American students will ask you to fill out a form. In addition, they will ask about your academic achievements, transcripts, letters of reference and an essay.
The Ron Brown Scholar Program advances higher education for community minded and intellectually gifted African Americans. Eligible students receive awards four year $40,000 scholarships or $10,000 each year.
To be eligible, you must be a high school senior and United States citizen. Eligible applicants must show academic excellence, community service activities, and financial need. All applications will be reviewed and semifinalists will be invited to a weekend event in Washington D.C where finalists will be chosen based on interviews, event participation and application.
African American scholarships are a key source of financial aid. For many African American students, a scholarship fills the financial gap to graduate with a college degree.
10 Scholarships for African Americans in 2024
Here are 10 awards for African Americans you should apply for now.
UNCF STEM Scholarship
Ron Brown Scholar Program
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
NACME Collegiate Scholarship
ABA Diversity Scholarship
NACME Collegiate Scholarship
AABE William Grant Pinkard Scholarship
Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Buckfire & Buckfire Medical School Diversity Scholarship
HBCU Connect Minority Student Scholarship
What HBCU Colleges Offer Scholarships to African American Students?
There are about 101 HBCUs located in 19 states, and many offer HBCU scholarships. HBCU is short for historically black colleges and universities. Some HBCU scholarships for incoming college freshmen are from Howard University and Spelman College.
Howard University is a private HBCU located in Washington, DC. It serves 6,166 undergrads and costs $39,792 (net) per year.
First year students may be eligible for five merit awards. To qualify, you must meet standards for GPA, SAT / ACT scores and submit a FAFSA. When you’re admitted into the university, the school will notify you if you qualify for their merit scholarships.
Spelman College is a private, women only HBCU. Located in Atlanta, GA it serves 2,166 undergrads and costs $40,840 (net) per year. Scholarships at Spelman are competitive and limited to first year students. To qualify, you must have a GPA of at least 3.8 (weighted).
Eligible applicants also need scores of 1330 SAT or 31 ACT. A record of leadership and community service will help you qualify for one of their scholarships.
Eligible Spelman students may win the Dean’s Scholarship. It covers tuition only for up to four years. Also, the Flanigan Scholarship is awarded based on need.
These schools provide a supportive community and provide the same quality level of education for Black students. Many historically black colleges and universities offer rigorous degree programs in STEM and business. They are also given public funding or endowments for resources to support and prepare Black students for success.
Are There STEM Scholarships for Black Students?
If you are a college student majoring in STEM, there are African American scholarship funds to help you pay for a STEM degree.
STEM stands for four different types of fields such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Careers in STEM include medicine, nursing, computer science, engineers, and IT. African Americans are also still underrepresented in the STEM workforce.
One of the providers of STEM scholarships for minority students is the NACME. NACME is the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering.
Each year, they partner with colleges to offer NACME Collegiate Scholarships. These awards range from $1,000 to $4,000. The funds are for high school students applying to an Engineering or Comp. Science program or current college students.
If you’re enrolled in, or plan to attend one of these partner schools, you may qualify. Eligible students must be a US citizen or permanent resident with at least a 3.0 GPA.
The United Negro College Fund in collaboration with Intel will award a $5,000 STEM scholarship. Eligible African American applicants must be a college junior, senior or grad student.
Eligible students must be majoring in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering with a 3.20 GPA or higher. To apply, you must submit a letter of recommendation, transcripts, resume, and an essay.
Can African American Women Students Win a Scholarship?
There are many scholarships for African American women. These awards promote more equality and encourage women to attend college. African American women have a strong presence in colleges and HBCUs. In fact, from 1976 to 2018, the number of female students at HBCUs went up to 62%.
African American women may apply for the Davis Scholarship for Women in STEM. Willma H Davis partners with UNCF and awards two eligible students up to $5,000 each.
To qualify, you must be an eligible female full time at an UNCF partner school. You must also major in STEM, have a 3.0 GPA and meet citizenship rules. When you apply, you must send transcripts, references, an essay and have unmet financial need.
Many scholarships for Black women typically encourage females to enter professions in which Black women have been historically underrepresented. Black scholarships specifically for women may help provide financial assistance to those who need it the most.
Why You Should Apply for an African American Scholarship?
College scholarships for Black students can make your college education more affordable. You may use the funds to pay for tuition, fees, books and other expenses.
In comparison, if you take out student loans, they will accrue interest. You will need to pay back the loans after you graduate. That’s why scholarship funds provide financial support to those who need financial assistance for their college education.
If you are a first generation or continuing generation student, a scholarship may be useful. A study by the US Department of Education found that 14% of all first generation students are African American. African Americans also make up 11% of continuing generation students.
What are Some Tips on Winning Black Scholarships?
As you search for scholarship opportunities, you may find some that match your goals and personal experiences. Keep an ongoing list and while you do, these tips may boost your odds at winning black scholarships.
Check if you are eligible. When you look for awards, make sure you meet the criteria first. You can focus on the ones you qualify for by their due dates.
Create a list. Keep track of all the awards you are eligible for in a document or calendar. Make sure to add due dates so you can submit your application on time.
Outline to do items. Along with the name of the scholarship, list out what it asks for. Common items are an essay, letters of recommendation, transcripts and test scores.
Follow application and essay instructions. Judges may discard applications that ignore instructions. That goes for the essay too, so make sure you understand the question and stick to the word count.
Save a copy of your submission. Many awards use online forms. But it is a good practice to make a copy of your submissions in the event it gets lost. You’ll have a record and material you may be able to repurpose for another award program.
Be on time. Don’t wait until the last minute! Give yourself enough time to complete your application and essay before the deadline. When you submit scholarships early, you will free up your time to apply for more scholarships!
List of 2024 African American Scholarships
We have awards worth . Check out our list of African American scholarships below.
The Western History Association offers a graduate student award of $500 for an MA or PhD minority student who is doing research on the North American West.
Incoming and current HBCU students are encouraged to apply for the Black & Positively Golden Scholarship now through May 10 at 11:59 PM EST at www.tmcf.org. Thirty-four scholarships, up to $15,000 each will be awarded to students for the 2021-2022 academic year, and winners will be announced this summer.
All Applicants Must:
Provide the transcript (official or unofficial) for your most recently completed academic term-this should include your end of Fall 2020 grades and cumulative GPA.
Please upload a professional image in your school logo/and colors.
Answer the following video interview questions (1-2 mins for each question):
Do you consider yourself a changemaker? An individual that helps institute positive growth for your school? For your community? If so, how & why?
How do you demonstrate Black & Positively Golden at your HBCU or community?
U.S. minority students who are enrolled or plan to enroll in a doctoral accounting program are eligible for this award. Students must enroll full time and be or plan to become a CPA.
Deivery Harris was a lifelong educator and a champion for educational justice who believed in empowering, as well as inspiring and supporting African American students. Scholarships in the amount of 1000 dollars are available to empower any and all African-American students who presently reside in any of the following counties: Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach.
he Marki Lemons Ryhal Education Advancement Scholarship will support candidates that are seeking to obtain their real estate license OR attend a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). This fund is applicable only to African American women whose primary residence is in underserved communities within the Chicagoland area.
This scholarship is in special honor of Marki’s late mother, Hazel S. Lemons.
Ulta Beauty and Her Campus are teaming up to empower Black Beauty enthusiasts across college campuses. Together we are helping 5 beauty-loving, college undergraduate students shine by awarding each individual $5,000 to be used toward their education.
General rules:
a. Selection of candidates will be decided by the Scientific Advisory Board of Dimensions Sciences, following an independent Ad-Hoc expert peer-review evaluation;
b. Benefits to awardees will consist of two one-time prize of US$1,500 and up to 3 honorable mentions of US $500;
c. This is a one-time prize given to an individual awardee. Organizations are not eligible.
Prize:
a. The funds will be disbursed using the individual’s bank account in the sole name of the individual awardee. Awardee must hold a valid bank account in the US.
Roles and responsibilities:
a. Dimensions Sciences:
i. will make final decision on candidate selection and approval of awardee and honorable mentions;
ii. will be responsible for providing the funds for selected awardees;
iii. will survey the awardees to quantify impact of award for a period of up to 5 years after the award.
The Family Matters’ Scholarship is funded by the Fall 2019 initiates of the Nu Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The scholarship was established on the merit of providing additional resources to Black women who illustrate core values of Scholarship and Service, alike our beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated’s mission.
Delta Eta Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity is now accepting scholarship applications from black males in Denver Metro Area pursuing undergraduate degrees. Successful undergraduate applicants will receive an annual award of $2,500 renewable for up to four years as long as they satisfy criteria for renewal. They will also have access to Delta Eta Boulé Foundation’s professional development resources — mentorship, the Institute for Professional Development, and Delta Eta Boulé’s vast professional network.
Mamie Earl Sells was committed to young people, promoting programs that encouraged them to expand and improve their personal lives and career opportunities. This scholarship is dedicated to her memory, honoring her loyalty and service to the community through her volunteer work in the arts, education, racial justice programs and social services. Personally dedicated to the YWCA during the last decade of her life, Mamie played a leadership role in developing the Career Women of Achievement event and served as board member, vice president of membership and overall friend to the YWCA.
This scholarship award honors Mamie’s philosophy that we must “lift as we climb,” meaning that we must act as role models and mentors to the young women of today and tomorrow.
