Undergrads and graduate students who plan to enroll in a Historically Black College or University may receive HBCU scholarships. Students may receive a scholarship award to make their education affordable. Recipients may use the money to pay for an HBCU’s tuition, fees, housing, books and more. Some scholarship funds are also renewable if the recipient meets the terms.
Many HBCU scholarships are also for full time students who show financial need or merit or demonstrate other talents. Financial need scholarships are based on financial aid information from your FAFSA for that academic year. Merit scholarships are based decisions on academic achievement and community service. Academic excellence also tends to mean a minimum GPA (grade point average). Scholarships could also be a better alternative than borrowing student loans.
10 HBCU Scholarships You Should Apply for in 2021
Check out these HBCU scholarship opportunities. If you qualify, fill out a scholarship application. Make sure to read the directions and apply soon.
5 Strong Scholarship
Walt Disney Company UNCF Corporate Scholars Program
UNCF Stem Scholarship
Microsoft Scholarship Program
UNCF/Koch Undergraduate Scholars Program
Toyota/UNCF Scholarship
Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Scholarship
James M. & Erma T. Freemont Foundation Scholarship Program
George and Pearl Strickland Scholarship
HBCU Connect Minority Student Scholarship
Getting Considered for HBCU Scholarships
There are full ride HBCU scholarships. These awards pay tuition, fees, and an allowance. They tend to be merit based for high achievers with other qualities such as leadership. Other possible rules about eligibility are:
Specific scholarships (for certain majors only)
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (undergraduate students: ACT/SAT; graduate students: GRE/GMAT etc.)
500 to 1,000 word essay about goals
Being a U.S. citizen / legal permanent resident
Many HBCUs also automatically consider entering high school seniors for scholarships. For these HBCU scholarships, you might not need to fill out a separate form to apply.
One example are the Spelman merit scholarships. They award a few each year to new incoming first year students. Factors include grade point average, standardized test scores, community service and leadership. Therefore, they only consider admitted students with minimum 1330 SAT or 31 ACT and 3.8 GPA (weighted).
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) also offers HBCU college scholarships. Some are for use at their network of 37 HBCU partners. UNCF K-12 Education Fellowship is for Black students who are college juniors enrolled at an HBCU. Eligible applicants must have an interest in education reform and a 3.0 GPA.
Why Are HBCUs Important to the Black Community?
HBCUs were set up to serve the higher education needs of black students after the Civil Rights Act and still do. Prior to their existence, many colleges denied college admissions to Black Americans. Today, HBCUs enroll other students as well.
HBCU graduates include Martin Luther King Jr., Kamala Harris and others. Here is how Historically Black Colleges and Universities impact the black community.
1. Leading source of degrees for Black Americans. More than 80% of all black Americans who received degrees in medicine and dentistry earned their degree at an HBCU according to US Department of Education. They also report that 3/4ths of all black persons holding a doctorate degree graduated from an HBCU. HBCUs also award 40% of all bachelor’s degrees held by black college students.
2. Cultural and racial diversity. HBCUs are also more racially diverse about enrollment and staff than many public universities. Faculty may have more sensitivity to issues on race and economic disadvantage.
3. Remedial programs and retention. Many HBCUs offer a supportive setting through remedial programs. In general they also offer reading labs, expanded tutorial and counseling services. Plus, many have high rates of graduation says the US Department of Education
4. New high demand programs. US Department of Education says HBCUs award more bachelor’s degrees to black students in STEM or related fields. However, many of these fields do not have a strong presence of Blacks in the labor force, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
5. Networking and support. Joining the HBCU community may connect you with mentors, faculty and peers. Having this support may set you up for success. According to US Department of Education HBCUs rank high for the number of grads who pursue graduate or professional training. Faculty also stresses teaching and student service as much as research.
Facts About HBCU Attendance
Today, the U.S. Department of Education reports there are 107 Historically Black College or Universities in the United States. These schools enroll over 228,000 students. There are 87 four year colleges. There are also 20 two year institutions. Many of these schools cost less than colleges with a majority of white students. Many of these HBCU students were female (62% in 2018). In 2018, 88% of HBCU students attended four year schools and 12% attended two year schools. A larger share (76%) went to public vs. private colleges.
If you demonstrate interest in a career that builds resilience, such as emergency management, urban planning, crisis communications, engineering, environmental science, public administration, sustainable development, or related fields, this scholarship is for you!
HBCUConnect.com encourages minority students from all around the nation to pursue bachelors degrees at U.S. historically black colleges and universities. Applicants must be minority graduating high school seniors, transfer, or full time undergraduate students attending historically black college or university.
The National Black Nurses Association offers the Rita E. Miller Scholarship for an NBNA member BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) student who is attending a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Click to learn more and apply today!
The Ray Charles Foundation Scholars Fund in Neurosurgery provides a unique opportunity for one individual preferably from an HBCU to spend a full year at the world-class Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles to take part in research.
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?
In partnership with UNCF, Smartwool offers one $2,500 Go Far Feel Good Scholarship to college sophomores and juniors who attend a partner HBCU in either Tennessee or North Carolina.
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) offers $1,000 Emergency Retention Grants for HBCU students at member institutions and at risk of dropping out of college due to an emergency.
The Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) at Colorado State university offers a $10,000 scholarship for students attending historically black colleges and universities (HBCU’s) or Predominately Black Institutions to participate in spring or fall Semester at Sea voyages.
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund partners with Apple to provide eligible outstanding students who attend a Historically Black College or University with a $15K merit based scholarship and 12 week internship opportunity.
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.
