Scholarships for Black and African American Students
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- Research shows that Black students carry greater student debt than white students.
- Scholarships and grants can offset the cost of college and reduce student loan debt.
- Many scholarships are awarded exclusively to Black and African American students.
- Grants are also available from schools, organizations, and the federal government.
Affordability is a concern for most prospective college students. Unfortunately, there is a pronounced racial gap in financial support and assistance for Black and African American students. Notably, more Black students take out federal loans to attend four-year colleges than white students. Black students also amass more debt than their white peers. These statistics underline the importance of Black student scholarships. Financial awards for Black learners can help offset the cost of a college education, and leave students less dependent on loans.
Fortunately, a number of scholarships and financial aid opportunities are earmarked specifically to support degree attainment and graduation for Black and African American students. Several organizations offer even more specific scholarships for Black women and students in STEM.
General Scholarships for Black and African American Students
The Gates Scholarship
Application Deadline: September 2022
Scholarship Amount: The full cost of attendance
Who Is Eligible: This highly selective scholarship is awarded to minority students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and leadership abilities. High school seniors must be eligible for the Pell Grant Program and possess a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3.
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
Application Deadline: January 2023
Scholarship Amount: Up to $30,000 over four years
Who Is Eligible: This scholarship is awarded to minority high school seniors who demonstrate leadership potential and academic excellence. Applicants must plan on attending an approved four-year college. Recipients also receive career guidance and internship placement.
ETS Presidential Scholarship for HBCU Students
Application Deadline: Varies
Scholarship Amount: Full cost of tuition
Who Is Eligible: This scholarship is awarded by ETS and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Juniors or seniors enrolled in a historically Black college or university (HBCU) may apply. Students must demonstrate financial need and possess a minimum GPA of 3.5.
The Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship Program
Application Deadline: January 2023
Scholarship Amount: $10,000
Who Is Eligible: This scholarship is awarded to one female and one male senior attending a HBCU. Applicants must possess a minimum GPA of 3.5 and demonstrate financial need, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to community service.
Ron Brown Scholar Program
Application Deadline: January 2023
Scholarship Amount: $40,000 over four years
Who Is Eligible: Applicants for this scholarship must be low-income Black or African American high school seniors. This selective program looks for students who demonstrate an interest in public service, entrepreneurship, and community involvement.
American Bus Association Diversity Scholarship
Application Deadline: Varies
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Who Is Eligible: This scholarship focuses on underrepresented groups pursuing careers in the transportation, travel, and tourism industries at the management or operational level. Undergraduate or graduate students may apply.
AMS Minority Scholarships
Application Deadline: February 2022
Scholarship Amount: $6,000 over two years
Who Is Eligible: The American Meteorological Society awards this scholarship to minority students. Applicants must be starting their first year of college and intend to pursue a career in atmospheric or related oceanic and hydrologic sciences.
BLM² Foundation Scholarship
Application Deadline: Varies
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Who Is Eligible: Minority high school seniors who live in Illinois and hold a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher may apply for this scholarship. A copy of a college or university acceptance letter is required.
Resilience Through Diversity Scholarship
Application Deadline: To be announced
Scholarship Amount: $5,000 scholarship and $5,000 internship
Who Is Eligible: Witt O'Brien's offers this award to Black third-year students at HBCUs. Students must demonstrate an interest in careers that build resilience, including urban planning, sustainable development, emergency management, and many others.
American Association of Blacks in Energy Scholarship
Application Deadline: February 2022
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Who Is Eligible: AABE awards 13 annual scholarships to underrepresented minority high school seniors, including African Americans. Students must pursue a major in business, technology, engineering, mathematics, or one of the physical sciences.
Congressional Black Caucus Spouses Education Scholarship
Application Deadline: April 2022
Scholarship Amount: $2,500-$20,000
Who Is Eligible: Eligible applicants include Black and African American students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees. High school seniors may also apply. Applicants must live or go to school in a CBC Members district.
National Black Nurses Association Scholarship Program
Application Deadline: April 2022
Scholarship Amount: $1,000-$15,000
Who Is Eligible: The NBNA offers numerous scholarships for Black and African American students pursuing a career in nursing. Students must be NBNA members currently enrolled in a nursing program.
Scholarships for Black and African American Women
Dr. Julianne Malveaux Scholarship
Application Deadline: April 2022
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Who Is Eligible: Sophomore or junior African American women enrolled at an accredited university may apply. Applicants must major in journalism, economics, or a related field and possess a GPA of at least 3.0.
The Phyllis G. Meekins Scholarship
Application Deadline: January 2023
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Who Is Eligible: Administered by the Ladies Professional Golf Association, this scholarship is available to female high school seniors who plan on playing collegiate golf while pursuing a degree. Two of these need-based scholarships are awarded to minority students each year.
Dr. Barbara Odom-Wesley Spirit of Achievement Scholarship
Application Deadline: February 2023
Scholarship Amount: $3,000
Who Is Eligible: Applicants must be African American female seniors attending high school in Tarrant County or Grand Prairie, Texas. Students may use this scholarship at any two- or four-year college or university.
The Wynetta Frazier "Sister-to-Sister" Scholarship
Application Deadline: February 2022
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Who Is Eligible: This scholarship is sponsored by the National Hook-Up of Black Women. African American women whose education was disrupted due to family or other obligations may apply. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and entering or returning to college.
STEM Scholarships for Black and African American Students
ACS Scholars Program
Application Deadline: March 2022
Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000 per academic year
Who Is Eligible: The American Chemical Society awards this renewable scholarship to underrepresented students majoring in chemistry-related disciplines. Applicants must possess a GPA of 3.0 or higher and intend to pursue a career in chemistry-related science.
Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship
Application Deadline: March 2022
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Who Is Eligible: This scholarship is for Black and African American high school seniors who demonstrate a passion for technology and intend to pursue a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or specific business programs.
KnowBe4 Scholarship for Black Americans in Cybersecurity
Application Deadline: April 2022
Scholarship Amount: $10,000 that can be applied to college expenses and up to $3,000 for on-campus housing
Who Is Eligible: Administered by the Center for Cyber Safety and Education, the KnowBe4 scholarship is open to Black and African American students. Applicants must be pursuing a degree focused on cybersecurity or information assurance. Undergraduates or graduate students with a minimum GPA of 3.2 may apply.
Brown and Caldwell Minority Scholarship
Application Deadline: Varies
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Who Is Eligible: Black, African American, and other minority students may apply. Students must be undergraduates in their junior or senior year or enrolled in a graduate program in engineering or environmental science.
Development Fund for Black Students in Science and Technology
Application Deadline: June 2022
Scholarship Amount: $3,000 per year for up to four years
Who Is Eligible: African American undergraduate students majoring in scientific or technical fields and enrolled at HBCUs may apply. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic achievements, a personal essay, letters of recommendation, and financial need.
Scholarships for First-Generation Black and African American Students
Enterprise Holdings ROAD Forward Scholarship
Application Deadline: December 2022
Scholarship Amount: Up to $12,222
Who Is Eligible: First-year African American college students attending a United Negro College Fund-member institution may apply for this scholarship. Applicants must also be first-generation college students who can demonstrate financial need.
Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program
Application Deadline: March 2023
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Who Is Eligible: Underrepresented first-generation high school seniors accepted into a four-year university may apply. Students must major in one of several subjects, including transportation management, math, science, engineering, architecture, and psychology.
Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships
Application Deadline: Varies
Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000
Who Is Eligible: Fund for Education Abroad offers multiple scholarships designed for minority and first-generation college students who would like to study abroad.
Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Coca-Cola Foundation First-Generation Scholarship
Application Deadline: Varies
Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000
Who Is Eligible: First-generation college students enrolled as first-years at TMCF-member schools may apply for this scholarship. Participating universities include Alabama State University, Albany State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University, Prairie View A&M University, Savannah State University, and Tuskegee University.
Stantec Equity and Diversity Scholarship
Application Deadline: November 2022
Scholarship Amount: $1,500-$10,000
Who Is Eligible: Stantec awards $200,000 to historically underrepresented students annually through this scholarship program. Applicants must major in the science, technology, mathematics, engineering, or arts fields.
Scholarships for Black and African American Graduate Students
Albert W. Dent Graduate Student Scholarship
Application Deadline: March 2023
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Who Is Eligible: The Foundation of the American College of Healthcare Executives awards this scholarship to racially and ethnically diverse students enrolled in their last year of a healthcare management master's degree program, such as healthcare administration.
Spectrum Scholarship Program
Application Deadline: March 2022
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Who Is Eligible: The American Library Association Spectrum Scholarship offers awards to racially and ethnically diverse populations, including Black and African American students. Applicants must attend an ALA-accredited graduate program in library and information science or an AASL-recognized school library media program. Recipients also receive mentoring opportunities.
National Black MBA Association Scholarship
Application Deadline: May 2023
Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000
Who Is Eligible: Financially active members of the NBMBAA who demonstrate involvement in their communities may apply for this scholarship. Applicants must also be enrolled in an accredited graduate business degree program when they receive the award.
Black Winemakers Scholarship
Application Deadline: March 2022
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Who Is Eligible: This United Negro College Fund scholarship is for African American undergraduate and graduate students. Graduate students pursuing an advanced degree in several different fields may apply. A few of these include viticulture, chemical engineering, ecology, microbiology, plant pathology, and food science.
George A. Strait Minority Scholarship and Fellowship
Application Deadline: April 2023
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Who Is Eligible: This scholarship honors distinguished law librarians and accepts minority applicants intending to pursue a career in law librarianship. Students must be enrolled in law school or an ALA-accredited library graduate program.
Grants for Black and African American Students
Minority Undergraduate Retention Grant
Who Is Eligible?: The State of Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board awards this scholarship to qualifying minority applicants who reside in Wisconsin. Students must be enrolled in a degree or certificate program at an independent college or university, technical college, or tribal college in Wisconsin.
Application Deadline: January 2022
Grant Amount: $250-$2,500 per year for up to eight semesters or 12 quarters
View GrantAmerican Institute of Certified Public Accountants Fellowship for Minority Doctoral Students
Who Is Eligible?: Minority students applying to or enrolled in an accredited doctoral program in accounting may apply. Students must attend on-campus, full-time programs, and plan on pursuing CPA licensure.
Application Deadline: May 2022
Grant Amount: $12,000
Iowa Minority Academic Grant for Economic Success
Who Is Eligible?: This need-based grant is offered to minority Iowa residents pursuing an undergraduate degree. Students must take at least six credits per semester and may receive the grant for up to eight semesters. Applicants must file their FAFSA by the priority deadline.
Application Deadline: December 2022
Grant Amount: Varies
Lettie Pate Grant
Who Is Eligible?: Students attending Spelman, an HBCU for women, may qualify for funds by submitting their FAFSA. Students must be residents of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, or Virginia.
Application Deadline: FAFSA Deadline
Grant Amount: Generally less than $2,000
View GrantHoward University Need Based Grant
Who Is Eligible?: Howard University, an HBCU, may award this need-based grant to students who do not receive any family financial support for college. Students must attend full time and maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Application Deadline: FAFSA Deadline
Grant Amount: Based on the awarded amount of the Federal Pell Grant Program
View GrantAdditional Resources
United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
The country's largest minority education organization awards scholarships and internships for low-income and moderate-income students at more than 1,100 colleges throughout the U.S.
HBCU Network
HBCU Network provides resources for students at HBCUs, including a comprehensive listing of HBCUs in the United States, events, and career information for graduates or internship seekers.
Black Career Network
The Black Career Network is a job board for African American graduates or those seeking internship opportunities while in school.
First In the Family
This comprehensive site features planning checklists, links, videos, and books for first-generation college students seeking advice.
ImFirst.org
Students can join this online community to get support and find resources to plan their college careers as first-generation attendees.
FirstGEN Fellows
This organization provides information about community, nonprofit, and other programs across the country that support low-income and first-generation students.
