Scholarships for African American and Black Students
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Updated on December 5, 2024
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Learn more about the importance of scholarships for Black and African American students with this guide. Start your search with some of the best awards available.
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This guide lists notable college scholarships for African American and Black students.
Paying for higher education may be the most challenging and stressful part of pursuing a degree. Thankfully, financial aid programs and scholarships can help relieve the financial burden of an education and allow students to focus on their studies.
Financial aid opportunities can also help reduce racial inequalities and disparities in higher education. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Black students comprise less than 15% of the college student body. Scholarships that support Black students can increase the diversity of college campuses and the workforce.
The following page highlights some of the best scholarships for Black students and provides details on how learners can apply.
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Challenges for African American and Black Students
Black and African American learners typically face greater challenges when pursuing an education than their white peers. Here are just some of the most significant obstacles these students face.
Black students who complete bachelor’s degrees owe an average student loan debt of $58,400 — the highest among all racial groups, according to NCES.
On average, Black students who borrowed for college owe 105% of their original loan amount, which is, again, the highest among all racial groups. Borrowing heavily for college can create financial difficulties later when student loan repayments take a high percentage of income.
More than 54% of Black students are first-generation college students, according to NCES. Data from EAB, an educational service, indicates that 33% of first-generation students drop out, possibly due to financial difficulties, inadequate academic preparation, and/or social dissatisfaction.
The United Negro College Fund reports that 43% of Black students do not have access to all the science and math courses needed for college readiness. This lack of preparation may boost the high dropout rate among African American students.
In 2021, NCES found that race was the motivating factor behind 331 hate crimes on U.S. college campuses. In addition, NCES reports that black men make up just 3% of the faculty working in higher education, and Black women compose only 4%, leaving many African American students without significant faculty representation on many campuses.
The underrepresentation of Black students at universities and colleges can lead to more significant disparities in the workforce. Since better-educated workers tend to earn higher salaries, current disparities may ultimately create more financial challenges for future Black students.
The Importance of Grants and Scholarships
For many students, scholarships and grants provide the financial support necessary to attend college. According to Sallie Mae, 58% of families use this type of funding, making it one of the largest sources of tuition payments. Of the total amount paid in tuition by the average American family, 25% comes from scholarships and grants.
While all forms of financial aid play a role, many Americans struggle with accumulating student debt and high-interest payments on loans. Scholarships and grants can help lower debt more than most sources because the funds typically do not require repayment. These awards help reduce financial stress after graduation.
In addition to financial aid, scholarships and grants can also help students access employment opportunities. Merit-based awards may help recipients stand out from the competition. Some awards even offer winners access to internships or careers within an organization in their chosen industry.
Finding and Applying For Scholarships
Black and African American students can pursue many different scholarships. These awards may focus on academic achievements or financial need. Some recognize students from specific states, counties, cities, or school districts, while others support learners from specific colleges or majors.
Plenty of scholarships and grants are intended specifically for Black or African American students, along with more general scholarships for minority applicants. Some of these awards emphasize certain characteristics, such as first-generation college student status or community involvement. To maximize award potential, candidates should consider all categories, starting with the broad and working toward the very specific.
While most scholarships provide funding to help cover tuition costs, some awards enable recipients to use funds more broadly. For example, financial aid can help with housing, transportation, textbooks, and course materials, giving students more financial flexibility. Applying to as many scholarships as possible helps to keep learners’ options open.
Students applying to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) can use HBCU Connect’s and HBCU Lifestyle’s searchable databases. Most schools have internal scholarship databases, along with links to reputable external sites. State, city, and district government websites often provide scholarships for minority students as well.
How To Apply
Applications take time and effort. Thankfully, completing a FAFSA makes it easier to qualify for scholarships and grants. Many schools also automatically consider their students for financial awards. In general, applicants should begin their scholarship searches as early as possible, compiling a list of awards and paying close attention to their deadlines and required materials.
While requirements vary, candidates typically need school transcripts, resumes, community involvement examples, personal essays, and recommendation letters, making it important to assemble these materials ahead of time. Preparation can help streamline the general application process, allowing applicants to spend more time pursuing awards that have unique essay questions and requirements.
African American and Black Scholarships
The following list highlights some of the best scholarships available for Black and African American students. It offers a helpful starting point, but prospective enrollees should still perform their own research to confirm details and find awards that match their unique achievements and circumstances.
General Scholarships
Amount: $5,000
About: The ACS Scholars Program aims to improve diversity in the sciences by recognizing minority undergraduates pursuing chemistry-related degrees and careers. Each applicant must belong to a minority group, possess a minimum 3.0 GPA, and already major in or plan to major in chemistry or a related field.
About: Duke Energy established the African American Network of the Carolinas Scholarship Fund in 1996 to improve diversity in the North and South Carolina workforces. Each candidate must pursue a STEM or business-related field as a graduating senior with a minimum 3.0 GPA to qualify. Applicants must plan to attend North Carolina or South Carolina colleges or universities.
About: This scholarship aims to improve diversity in the travel, tourism, and transportation industries. Applicants must major in travel and tourism-related fields at the undergraduate or graduate levels and demonstrate diversity. Each candidate must also submit a 500-word essay.
About: The AMS Minority Scholarships promote diversity in the sciences and advance the American Meteorological Society’s core values. Each candidate must belong to a minority group as a first-year college student with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Winners may renew the award for a second year if they maintain high academic performance.
About: Created by the Helping Project Corp, the Black American Engineering Scholarship Award helps advance the field of engineering and dismantle systemic racism by offering scholarships to Black American students who qualify for Pell Grants, are academically qualified, and are pursuing an engineering major.
About: Striving to support and relieve financial stress for aspiring Black students, the BLM² Scholarship Foundation offers several awards for U.S. residents. Black or African American graduating high school seniors with minimum 3.0 GPAs may apply.
About: Brown and Caldwell’s scholarships recognize promising Black, minority, women, and Native American students to improve diversity in engineering. Award requirements vary, but each candidate typically needs to pursue an engineering degree and possess a minimum 3.0 GPA.
About: EMPOWER stands for Encourage Minority Participation in Occupations with Emphasis on Rehabilitation. These scholarships recognize promising students pursuing medical or rehabilitation education and careers. Each candidate must be ethnically diverse and academically proficient, demonstrating a passion for rehabilitation.
Amount: Full Undergraduate Tuition at Iowa State University
About: The George Washington Carver Scholarship recognizes high-achieving students entering their first year of college. For eligibility, each applicant must possess a minimum GPA of 3.7, have overcome barriers, and demonstrate a commitment to increasing opportunities for underserved people.
About: This scholar program, named after former Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown, awards financial support to high-achieving African American students. Winners also receive employment opportunities and leadership experiences. Each candidate must be Black or African American and hold a strong interest in community engagement, business entrepreneurship, public service, and global citizenship.
About: The Jackie Robinson Foundation offers several awards, mentoring opportunities, and support services to promising students who demonstrate financial need. The foundation provides a four-year grant to an eligible minority student pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Candidates must also demonstrate community involvement.
About: The Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship Program supports diverse students in pursuit of legal degrees and careers. Each candidate must attend a participating school, possess suitable academic achievements, and demonstrate community involvement. Winners need to make a three-year commitment and can renew the award annually.
About: Available to Colorado Christian University (CCU) students, the World Changers Scholarship recognizes high-achieving applicants who demonstrate financial need. For eligibility, each candidate must receive an invitation to participate, possess a minimum 3.5 GPA, and not have accepted any other CCU-based scholarships. Winners who attend the two-day event may, however, receive an additional scholarship afterward.
About: Supporting first-generation college and university students, the Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program rewards promising undergraduate students. Each candidate must pursue one of the listed four-year programs, including some from STEM fields and transportation management, and possess a minimum 3.5 GPA to qualify.
About: The Thurgood Marshall College Fund recognizes high-achieving, first-generation high school seniors entering their first year at participating HBCUs. Each applicant must possess a minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and submit an essay. They must also receive a recommendation that includes a character reference.
About: Named after the founder of the National Hook-Up of Black Women, this scholarship rewards African-American students who show academic promise. Each applicant must possess strong grades, demonstrate community involvement within the Black community, and exhibit a strong passion for education for consideration.
About: The Dr. Barbara Odom-Wesley Spirit of Achievement Scholarship recognizes promising African American female high school seniors in Tarrant County and Grand Prairie, Texas.
About: Named after the founder of the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, this scholarship recognizes high-achieving Black women. Each candidate must be graduating high school or pursuing a GED certificate and possess a minimum 2.5 GPA. They also need to reside in Winnebago County, Illinois.
About: Established to support minority women or gender-nonconforming students, the Illustrating Awesomeness Scholarship recognizes high-achieving undergraduate learners. Each candidate must submit a 500-word essay or a five-minute video that addresses how they plan to change the world.
About: The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs provides a variety of scholarships for promising African American women students. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors with minimum 3.0 GPAs. They also need to submit a 300-word essay on a specific topic.
About: This scholarship supports African American students from the Atlanta area who are graduating high school seniors or undergraduate students enrolled in accredited colleges and universities. Applicants over 30 may also apply for a $500 scholarship.
About: The American Meteorological Society established the AMS Minority Scholarships to improve education and career diversity in the sciences. Each applicant must maintain a 3.0 GPA, study a science program, and plan to pursue a career in hydrologic or oceanic sciences except for marine biology.
About: Aiming to support Black employees and encourage more Black students to pursue careers in technology, the Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship provides funding for promising students pursuing degrees in STEM or select business programs. Each applicant also needs a minimum 3.0 GPA and must demonstrate a passion for technology.
About: Established in 2007 to increase diversity in the software industry, the Entertainment Software Association supports women and minority students in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics fields. To qualify, each applicant must attend a full-time undergraduate program and major in a gaming or esports field.
About: The National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering introduced the Scholars Block Grant Program to support underrepresented minorities. Applicants must attend computer science or engineering programs at NACME partner schools or be graduating high school seniors. Each candidate also needs a minimum 2.8 GPA.
About: The National Society of Black Engineers offers scholarships for Black students pursuing education and careers in engineering. The requirements vary by award, but many of the scholarships require applicants to possess minimum GPAs between 2.0 and 3.5. Some awards accept both undergraduate and graduate candidates.
About: The Sachs Foundation offers scholarships for promising Black students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Each candidate must have maintained Colorado residency for at least three years. They should also be high school seniors with minimum GPAs of 3.0.
About: The National Society of High School Scholars introduced its scholarship program to support promising students pursuing degrees and careers in STEM. Each applicant must demonstrate academic proficiency with a minimum 3.5 GPA and submit a resume and a 500-word essay on why they chose the STEM field.
About: To promote diversity in education and careers in the atmospheric and related sciences, SOARS offers a bridge program for students from historically underrepresented communities moving into graduate programs. Applicants can come from many different educational disciplines. Winners gain access to research, networking, and employment opportunities.
Grants, which typically award candidates based on financial need, differ from scholarships, which often depend on merit-based requirements. Like scholarships, grants very rarely require repayment. Learners can find most grants in the same databases as scholarships. Students can also access some of the most significant and widely available grants directly through FAFSA.
Three of the largest grant categories include:
Federal Pell Grants: Federal Pell Grants provide funding for undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. Applicants must complete FAFSA forms for consideration, with awards based on financial need, enrollment status, and family contribution ability.
State Grants: State grants come from state government funding. These aid programs typically aim to entice promising students to remain in their home states. To qualify, applicants typically need to demonstrate financial need and state residency. They may also need to attend specific state schools.
Private Grants: Private grants can come from many different sources, including local organizations or industry associations. These grants typically reward students who demonstrate financial need and plan to pursue a specific discipline. Candidates may also need to commit to employment or internships with the organization.
Though students should complete their own research to find grants that meet their unique circumstances, the following list explores some of the most popular options for Black and African American students.
Grants
Amount: Varies
About: UNCF Grant Programs provide Black students with grants and scholarships. Requirements vary for each award, but candidates may come from all educational levels and disciplines. Most awards require applicants to demonstrate the need for financial aid.
About: Students attending HBCUs can find scholarships and grant opportunities through the United Negro College Fund’s website. Requirements vary considerably by award, but most require candidates to establish financial need. They may also need to demonstrate community involvement and a passion for a specific field.
About: Established by the State of Wisconsin’s Higher Educational Aids Board, the Minority Undergraduate Retention Grant supports minority students pursuing degrees at Wisconsin schools. Each candidate must remain enrolled in an undergraduate degree beyond their first year, reside in Wisconsin, and have a high school diploma or GED certificate.
In 2020, 36% of the Black population aged 18-24 was enrolled in college, according to data published by the Postsecondary National Policy Institute. When analyzed further, the data shows a 25% decrease in undergraduate students but a modest 6% increase in graduate students since fall 2010.
What are HBCUs?
Historically Black Colleges and Universities are accredited schools established prior to 1964 that focus on the education of Black students, as per the Higher Education Act of 1965.
What Percentage of Black College Students Attend HBCUs?
According to research from the United Negro College Fund, 10% of Black students attend HBCUs, and 80% of the HBCU student population is African American. However, HBCUs account for 17% of bachelor’s degrees and 24% of STEM degrees earned by African American students.
How Can Black Students Find Scholarships for College?
Black students can access major scholarship boards and resource pages online, search through state and school scholarship databases, and look for opportunities through local or industry-related organizations.
