Scholarships for Black women help aspiring students pay for college. Black women may be eligible for awards related to STEM, nursing, business, and more. Many scholarship funds exist to help Black female college students achieve their dreams of pursuing a college degree. These awards may come from four year colleges and HBCUs. Companies, and nonprofits also offer them. There are a range of national black organizations that offer financial assistance too. Many providers also have awards based on financial need, community service and a good GPA.
Need based awards go to middle and low income students. In comparison, merit scholarships are for students who show academic excellence. You typically need a great grade point average and strong SAT/ACT test scores. Many providers also value academic achievement. They may also look at your school awards, courses, and leadership skills. These show dedication and may catch the eye of the scholarship committee.
Eligibility may also depend on other factors:
Being a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
Full time enrollment with a postsecondary program
Degree level like bachelor’s degree or graduate students pursuing a master’s or PhD
Must be majoring in specific studies or related fields
10 Scholarships for Black Women You Should Apply for in 2024
We’ve curated a list of 10 scholarship awards for Black female students. Make sure to apply before the deadline.
NAACP’s Agnes Jones Scholarship
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
Blacks for Microsoft Scholarship
The ESPN Scholarship
NDAF / Dr. Bessie Delaney Scholarship
Women Techmakers Scholars Program
James W. Stoudt Memorial Law School Scholarship
NACME Collegiate Scholarship
Honeywell International Scholarship for Undergraduate Students
NABA National Scholarship Program
Why Are College Scholarships for Black Women Important?
Scholarships for black women could help make college more affordable. The cost of tuition is on the rise. Since it’s not a student loan, you typically do not have to repay a scholarship. Black female students may use the money to help pay for tuition, fees, housing and other costs. Besides making college more affordable, eligible students may have other perks. Networking events could also grow a professional identity and leadership skills.
There is also the chance to learn from mentors and unite to achieve mutual goals. One example is the Ron Brown Scholars program. It offers mentoring and peer role models. It also aims to guide gifted black students through the college journey.
Are More Black Females Earning a College Degree?
The number of female Black students attending college is on the rise, according to the NCES. They also say college enrollment for Black women was 8% higher than black men. The benefits of earning a college degree may help with job prospects and earnings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 169 occupations require a bachelor’s degree for various occupations. Median weekly earnings are also higher at $1,248 for college students with a bachelor’s. Compared to students with a high school diploma at $746.
Black Women Organizations That Offer Scholarships
Many national organizations in the United States offer scholarships to students of color. NANBPWC, Inc is a Washington D.C. based nonprofit that offers a few annual scholarships. For instance, a recent award is the Dr. Blanca Moore Velez Woman of Substance Scholarship. It is for females, age 35 or older. You must be an undergraduate student. You must also have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
NCBW is a nonprofit women’s organization that supports the black community. Also, they promote gender equity across health and education. The QCMC scholarship is a merit and need based award. There are two recipients who receive $1,000 each.
Here are a few organizations that support the higher education needs of Black female students.
United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW)
Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)
National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc (NANBPWC)
National Council of Negro Women Inc (NCNW)
5 Tips to Help You Win a Scholarship
Eligible students may need to make their application and essays stand out. Use these 5 tips to set yourself up for success in order to win a scholarship for black women.
1. Consider Historically Black Colleges and Universities
HBCUs were set up to help Black college students earn a college education. These schools tend to offer awards to high school students. If you are an admitted college freshman, schools may also consider you for merit scholarships. HBCUs like Spelman College offer merit scholarships to Black women.
2. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The FAFSA is on the Department of Education website. Accredited colleges, state and federal governments use this information to award financial aid. Afterwards, your college may offer a financial aid package. You may receive work study, the Pell Grant as well as federal student loans.
3. Apply for minority scholarship awards
These awards are for minority students who identify as Hispanic, Asian, Black, and others. If you have to write why you deserve the award, be clear, follow the word count and stay on topic.
4. Find specific scholarships related to your goals, major and interests
Are you a female engineer student? Are you a computer science major or member of a Church or community group? Many professional organizations and nonprofits offer financial support. There are scholarships for black women in STEM. For example, Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships is for eligible Black high school seniors. It awards three $5,000 scholarships. You must also plan to pursue careers in technology.
5. Stay Organized and Submit by Deadline
Your scholarship search may expand as you find various possibilities. Keep track of the organization, name of scholarship as well as amount, due date and required materials. Maintain a calendar with application deadlines. Create a spreadsheet with all of the scholarships you plan to or have applied to.
The HBCU Council of Shiloh Baptist Church offers the Carolyn M. Harris HBCU Scholarship Award of $1,000 to an incoming freshman at an HBCU with a minimum GPA of 2.5 who is a member of a musical group or (music) education major.
Established in 2003, the HBCU Council of Shiloh Baptist Church offers the Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith HBCU Scholarship Award of $2,000 to an incoming freshman at an HBCU with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
This scholarship is open to U.S. students who are enrolled at an HBCU (Historically Black College/University) pursuing an undergraduate degree in the sciences with the intention of pursuing that discipline as a career. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
This scholarship is part of the Mechanism Ventures Impact Grants Series. It provides a $1,000 grant to a female Black entrepreneur at any education level who is or wants to launch a new business.
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students residing in Kent County, Michigan. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 and demonstrate unmet financial need. Preference will be given to women of color.
The Bruce S. Bennett Fund for Community Journalism is available for graduating high school seniors in Worcester, MA who are planning to major in and pursue a career in journalism.
The Black Medical Students Scholarship will be awarded to a current or future Black medical student across any medical specialty based on the strength of a 500-1000 word essay.
This scholarship is open to African-American high school seniors who reside in New Castle County, Delaware, and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Students must plan to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU); community and church service will be considered in selection.
