5 Strong partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to provide promising student leaders with full-tuition scholarships and ongoing mentorship and support from matriculation to graduation. We start with detailed information sessions to figure out if 5 Strong is the right fit for you. For those who apply and are accepted, we build teams of 5 scholars and provide bimonthly College Ready Prep Sessions. We work with participating HBCUs to arrange scholarships and admission as a 5-scholar cohort.
To be eligible for the 5 Strong program, all applications must reside in the Houston metropolitan area, be a current-year graduating high school senior, demonstrate the potential to be a leader in the classroom and on campus, have earned a GPA of at least 3.0 (Some HBCU Partners GPA requirements are higher) and have a minimum ACT score of 19 or a combined SAT score of 990 for both Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math sections (Some HBCU Partners test score requirements are higher). Must commit to becoming a member of 5 Strong and to attending your selected HBCU. Must be available to attend all mandatory bimonthly College Ready Prep Sessions (in person in Houston when safe, remotely for now).