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 Foray Firm Houston, we base our practice on two principles:
We handle matters of family law with as much concern for the family as for the law.
We stand up for the rights of all types of families, including African American, Spanish-speaking, multinational, and LGBTQ families
To be considered for The Foray Firm Black Law Student Scholarship, students must submit a video of no more than 5 minutes discussing one of the prompts provided on the scholarship webpage. Applicants must also include their contact information, unofficial transcript, proof of eligibility, and a professional headshot.
The WRNS Studio Foundation Scholarship Program was established in 2021 and seeks to cultivate a thriving higher education program that will encourage Black students to pursue careers in architecture by providing multi-year educational financial support and access to professional relationships.
WRNS Studio Foundation recognizes the barriers to higher education and the study of architecture. The WRNS Studio Foundation Scholarship Program was established in 2021, and makes monetary awards to full-time students in California, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, and Washington. Students pursuing degrees in architecture or design at approved NAAB-accredited programs, including a five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree, or a four-year pre-professional bachelor’s degree followed by a Master of Architecture degree are eligible to apply. The monetary award includes funding for costs of tuition, fees, room and board, along with an allotment for qualified educational expenses. In addition, recipients receive a personalized, one-on-one commitment by WRNS Studio staff members who provide advisory support until graduation.
In offering the “Scholar Dollars” Essay Scholarship for Black Students, we want to help offset the cost of attending college for Black students. Open to high school students in the graduating class of 2024 and undergraduate and graduate students enrolled during the 2023-24 academic year, this scholarship aims to lighten your financial worry and allow you to take fewer loans. Remember, scholarships are essentially “free money” that need not be paid back. This scholarship, specifically, aims to help out a Black student who is passionate about their higher education journey and actively looking for ways to fund it. The “Scholar Dollars” Scholarship will be awarded to students based on both the quality of their essays and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. With that in mind, why not spend a little time applying for a $500 scholarship now for more financial freedom from loans later? We look forward to reading your application, and wish you much success on your academic journey!
The TMCF McDonald’s Black and Positively Golden Scholarship is an incredible opportunity for exceptional students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). With up to 63 (sixty-three) $15,000 scholarships available for the upcoming academic year, this scholarship can help cover verifiable costs associated with tuition and fees for motivated students. To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior at an HBCU. The application process includes submitting a two-minute video answering the question, “How will your continued education empower you to achieve Black Excellence?” Don’t miss out on this chance to take your education to the next level!
The Reginaldo M. Howard Memorial Scholarship is offered to Black and African-American students, and those of African descent, who excel academically and demonstrate a commitment to leadership and social justice. Reginaldo Howard Scholars are committed to serving their communities and becoming leaders at Duke, both inside the classroom and beyond. Established in 1979, this scholarship honors Reginaldo “Reggie” Howard, the first African American President of the Associated Students of Duke University and an A.B. Duke Scholar. He was tragically killed in an automobile accident during his sophomore year, but his ambition and commitment to helping others lives on.
The Development Fund for Black Students in Science and Technology (DFBSST) provides scholarships to African-American undergraduate students who enroll in scientific or technical fields of study at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund and varying partners unite to offer the COVID-19 Emergency Award to students attending one of TMCF’s publicly supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) or Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs).
The NLN Foundation for Nursing Education offers scholarships of up to $8,000 each year to support the NLN’s mission to build a strong and diverse nursing workforce of qualified nurse educators.
The African-American Journalism Scholarship will be awarded to a Black student at any education level who plans on (or already is) pursuing a career in journalism and shows both impact and drive.
The Black Design Leaders Grant will be awarded to a Black student or recent graduate who plans on (or already is) pursuing a career in design at a start-up and shows impact and drive.
