Scholarships for Black Students
Key takeaways:
- Scholarships vary in amounts, ranging from a few hundred dollars to substantial sums. For example, the Gucci Changemakers Scholarship offers up to $20,000
- Scholarship opportunities are available through private foundations, corporations, non-profits, and colleges/universities, specifically designed to support Black students.
- Scholarships for Black students may be merit-based, need-based, or a combination of both, often recognizing academic excellence, leadership, community service, and financial need.
When it comes to attending college, all is not fair. According to research from the Pew Charitable Trusts, Black students owe about $25,000 more in student loans than white students. Also, Black students are more likely to take out private student loans than white students. These loans usually have higher interest rates, fewer repayment options and almost no forgiveness programs.
Continue reading the article below the scholarship list.
25 Scholarships for Black Students with Approaching Deadlines
One way to combat a high student loan balance is to find more college scholarships. And even though affirmative action has been dismantled, there are still special scholarships available for Black students. Keep reading to learn all about scholarships for Black students.
What are Scholarships for Black Students?
Scholarships for Black students are given to a Black student who is attending college, either a two-year or four-year institution. These awards may be need-based scholarships, merit-based scholarships, or a combination of both.
Need-based awards are only given to students who have demonstrated financial need. Merit awards don’t necessarily refer only to academic merit; merit can also include athletic or artistic talents as well.
How to Qualify for Scholarships for Black Students
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all formula for qualifying for a scholarship as a Black student. Each scholarship program can create its own rules, which may be as broad or as specific as they want.
Some scholarship providers require that students be interested in a particular career or industry, like the Nightwing Underrepresented Minorities in Cybersecurity Scholarship. Two winners will be chosen every year, with each individual receiving $10,000. The scholarship is available to Black students as well as other minority groups.
Below are the criteria to qualify to apply for the scholarship:
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Belong to a historically underrepresented minority in STEM (e.g., women, Black, Native American, AAPI, Hispanic, LGBTQ+, or persons with disabilities)
- May be male, female, or nonbinary
- Be a high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student (PhD candidates not eligible)
- Pursuing a degree in cybersecurity, information security, or a similar field
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher
- May attend on campus or online, full-time or part-time
Some scholarships ask that students have a track record of community service or a long list of extracurriculars. Make sure to understand what each scholarship wants before applying.
Where to Find Scholarships for Black Students
If you create an account at Scholarships.com and add your demographic information, you’ll receive a list of scholarship opportunities, including ones for Black students.
Your school may also have a list of scholarships. Sometimes you may be eligible for them just with your general admission application, but other scholarships will require a separate application.
If you’re already enrolled in college, you may still be eligible for internal scholarships. However, you’ll have to be more proactive.
Reach out to the financial aid office or the department that supports minority students. They may have a list of scholarships and grants you can apply for. Talk to your department chair; they may know about scholarships for minority students in your field.
The United Negro College Fund is another good source, providing several different scholarship programs for eligible students.
How to Apply for Scholarships for Black Students
Almost all scholarships require that students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the official government form that grants you access to federal student loans, grants and even scholarships. You should fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible, even if you haven’t applied for college yet.
If you’re a Black student, make sure to widen your scholarship search to include all types of diversity and minority scholarships. For example, the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship is open to minority students in general, not just Black students.
Here’s how to qualify:
- Applicants must be minority high school seniors and U.S. citizens.
- Must demonstrate financial need, academic excellence, leadership potential, and dedication to community service.
- Plan to attend an accredited 4-year college or university in the U.S. or affiliated with a U.S.-based college or university.
- Should not have accrued more than 25% of credits needed for college graduation.
If you’re a female Black student, you can also search for scholarships just for Black women or women of color. Look for professional organizations that are targeted toward Black people. For example, the National Association of Black Journalists offers scholarships for students who want to pursue a media career.
There are also some Black scholarships for students in particular fields, like the Blacks at Microsoft scholarship. Five winners will receive $5,000 each, while 50 winners will receive $2,500 each.
Here’s how to qualify:
- Must be a high school senior
- Must be of African descent
- Must have a 3.0 GPA
- Must plan to attend a four-year school
- Must study one of the following:
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Computer Information Systems
- Business Administration
- Finance
- Marketing
Frequently asked questions about Scholarships for Black Students
There are several prominent scholarships for black students that offer either a full ride or a generous award.
For example, the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is a full tuition scholarship that also covers room and board, textbooks and fees.
Here’s how to qualify:
- Must have a 3.0 GPA
- Must have a minimum 21 ACT or 1080 SAT score
- Open to high school seniors and current undergraduate college students
- Must study one of the following:
- Agriculture
- Agricultural Business/Management
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Engineering/Mechanics
- Agricultural Production and Technology
- Agronomy or Crop Science
- Animal Sciences
- Botany
- Food Sciences/Technology
- Forestry and Related Sciences
- Home Economics/Nutrition
- Horticulture
- Natural Resources Management
- Soil Conservation/Soil Science
- Farm and Range Management
- Other related disciplines (e.g. non-medical biological sciences, pre-veterinary medicine, computer science)
- Must attend one of the following 19 HBCUs:
- Alabama A&M University
- Alcorn State University, Mississippi
- Central State University, Ohio
- Delaware State University
- Florida A&M University
- Fort Valley State University, Georgia
- Kentucky State University
- Langston University, Oklahoma
- Lincoln University, Missouri
- North Carolina A&T State University
- Prairie View A&M University, Texas
- South Carolina State University
- Southern University, Louisiana
- Tennessee State University
- Tuskegee University, Alabama
- University of Arkansas Pine Bluff
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- Virginia State University
- West Virginia State University
If you’re from Africa, make sure you meet any citizenship requirements. Most scholarships in our database are only available for U.S. citizens or permanent residents. If you’re here on a student visa, you may have trouble qualifying for a scholarship.
However, you may be eligible for an out-of-state tuition waiver, which will grant you an in-state tuition rate at a public school. This can be worth tens of thousands of dollars per year, so it’s potentially a huge benefit.
If you’re a Black student attending an HBCU, then you may find special scholarships, like the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship Program. This scholarship is worth $10,000, and only two awards are given every year.
Here's how to qualify:
- Must be enrolled full-time as a rising senior at a four-year HBCU
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Must demonstrate leadership and commitment to community service
- Must have an unmet financial need, verified by their college or university
- Must complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form
Contact your school’s financial aid office and ask them how to maximize your scholarship opportunities.