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.
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 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).
