Yes, there are available scholarships specifically for African American students. The majority of prospective college students are concerned about affordability.
Sadly, there is a significant racial difference in the financial aid and support provided to Black and African American students.
Notably, Black students borrow more federal loans than White students. Additionally, black students rack up more debt than their white counterparts.
These figures highlight the significance of scholarships for Black students. Financial rewards for Black learners can help to cover the expenses of college and make students less dependent on loans.
A number of scholarships and financial assistance programs are designed to encourage Black and African American students to continue their education.
Many organizations provide even more specialized scholarships for Black women and STEM students. Here are 10 Scholarships for African American Students
Available Scholarships Specifically for African American Students
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ETS Presidential Scholarship for HBCU Students
ETS is a group of professionals in the field of education and research who think that education can help individuals better their lives and contribute significantly to society.
ETS provides students enrolled in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with financial aid through a partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) (HBCU).
For the coming academic year, eight scholars (four from a private and four from a public HBCU) will each be awarded a full tuition-only need/merit scholarship.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be a junior or senior enrolled full-time in a public or private HBCU during the 2021–2022 academic year.
- Grade point average of 3.5 or better
- Capable of displaying leadership qualities
- Able to prove a need for money
- Possess a valid permanent residence card or passport with an I-551 stamp, or be a citizen of the United States.
How To Apply
In order to apply, you must:
- Provide a copy of the FAFSA Student Aid Report for 2021–2022.
- Your most current academic transcript, whether official or unofficial, should be submitted. This should include your end-of-Fall 2020 grades and cumulative GPA.
- Submit one recommendation letter on the institution’s letterhead from the president of your present university or college.
- You should provide a letter of recommendation from your second recommender, a professor, or an advisor.
- Answer the required essay questions (Maximum of 500 words per question).
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The Gates Scholarship (TGS)
Outstanding black minority high school graduates from low-income families are eligible for The Gates Scholarship (TGS), a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship. Each year, the scholarship is given to outstanding student leaders with the goal of enabling them to reach their full potential.
The scholarship will cover tuition fees, accommodation & board, books, transportation, and sometimes additional personal expenses.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply, students must be:
- A senior in high school
- At least from one of the following racial or ethnic groups: African-American, Asian & Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native, and/or Hispanic Americans
- Pell-eligible
- A national or permanent resident of the US
- Be in good academic standing with a cumulative weighted GPA of at least 3.3 on a scale of 4.0 (or equivalent)
- Must enroll full-time in a four-year degree program at a private, public, or not-for-profit college or university in the US that has received US accreditation.
- A stellar high school scholastic record (top 10% of their graduating class);
- Showed leadership potential (e.g., as shown through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities)
- Exceptional abilities for personal achievement (e.g., emotional maturity, motivation, perseverance, etc.)
How to Apply
You can apply by filling up the application form on their website once the scholarship is open to the public.
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The Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship Program
Tony Signore, who was introduced to Frederick Douglass in 1982 by the Jesuits at Fordham University, founded the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship Program. Tony Signore had grown to know, respect, and deeply admire Douglass.
The Signore Family developed and financed the initiative to recognize this historic leader, providing financial support to deserving young men and women enrolled in HBCUs, in order to remember one of the most significant African Americans in our nation’s history.
Two outstanding HBCU seniors (one male and one female) who have excelled academically, exhibited strong leadership qualities, have a dedication to community service, and have unmet financial needs are given two (2) $10,000 scholarships each year by the program.
Eligibility Requirements
The following requirements must be met by applicants for the program:
- Be a senior full-time student at any accredited four-year historically black college or university, public or private (HBCU).
- Possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, which can be proven by submitting a copy of recent transcripts.
- Show your dedication to doing community service.
- Own a proven, unmet financial need that their college or university has attested to.
- Fill out the “FAFSA” form, which stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
- You must submit your current transcript.
How to Apply,
Applications must be submitted online and include all the following:
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from academics outlining how the applicant exemplifies Frederick Douglass’s principles.
- Essays in response to two (2) questions: Please describe your main areas of interest, your professional goals, your driving forces, and your intended social impact in no more than 500 words. Talk about your most memorable leadership experiences, community involvement, and current accomplishments.
- A 500–700-word essay in which you describe how Frederick Douglass affected society and how his example still motivates you today.
- The applicant must evaluate their level of self-awareness, leadership, and community involvement in the first essay; in the second, they must discuss the influence Frederick Douglass had on society in the 19th century and how that influence still applies to our country’s ongoing fight for equality.
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The Ron Brown Scholarship
By supporting higher education for socially conscious and intellectually brilliant African Americans, the Ron Brown Scholarship pays tribute to the legacy of Ronald H. Brown.
The renewable scholarship can be used by winners to enroll in any qualified four-year college or university in the United States.
Ron Brown scholarships can be utilized to pursue any academic field and are not restricted to any particular field or career goal. More than 450 students have been selected as Ron Brown Scholars since the Program’s launch in 1996.
Eligibility Requirements
The Ron Brown Scholarship requires applicants to be Black or African American, US citizens or permanent residents, and high school seniors at the time of their application.
How to Apply
You can apply by filling out the application form on their website once the scholarship is open to the public.
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Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship is yet another scholarship that an African American can apply for. JRF Scholars earn college scholarships of up to $35,000 over four years and are financially sponsored to attend JRF’s annual, four-day “Mentoring and Leadership Conference” in New York City and other events throughout the year.
In addition to receiving considerable financial aid, Scholars take advantage of a full four-year curriculum that offers career counseling, internship and permanent job placement, international travel, leadership development, and training in real-world skills.
Eligibility Requirements
An applicant must meet the following requirements in order to be considered for a Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship:
- Be a graduating, minority high school senior – Be a citizen of the United States – Show proof of financial need
- Show leadership potential and a commitment to community involvement. Show a track record of academic accomplishment.
- Submit a copy of your official SAT or ACT exam results from your junior or senior year.
- Have not accumulated more than 25% of the required credits for college graduation; – Plan to enroll in a recognized and approved 4-year institution within the United States or are affiliated with a U.S.-based college or university.
How to Apply
You can apply for this scholarship online when the portal is open. The application includes:
- One recommendation
- Demographics
- High school information including an unofficial high school transcript
- College plans
- Test scores (AP, IB, PSAT, ACT, or SAT)
- Activities and distinctions
- Household information
- Four essays.
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The AMS Scholarship
Students that have been historically underrepresented in the sciences, particularly those who are Hispanic, Native American, and Black/African American, will receive support through the AMS Scholarship for Underserved Communities. Donations to the AMS Annual Giving Program are used to pay for the scholarships.
The $6,000 two-year scholarship amounts to $3000 each year for the first- and second-year students (second-year funding depends on the successful completion of the first academic year).
Eligibility Requirements
- Candidates must be U.S. citizens or have legal status as permanent residents.
- Applications are accepted from students who will be beginning their first year of college in the autumn of 2023.
- Students must have career goals in the marine and hydrologic sciences or allied atmospheric fields.
- Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Students who qualify for the AMS Scholarship for Underserved Communities may also apply for the AMS Freshman Scholarship Program; however, if chosen for both scholarships, they may take just one.
How to Apply
A completed application includes:
- Filled-out application
- A certified high school transcript for the most recent three years
- One letter of recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor from your high school
- In order to submit their application for consideration by the deadline date, applicants are responsible for managing their time to make sure all application tasks are finished. If any of the phases are missing, applications will not submit.
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Congressional Black Caucus Spouses Education Scholarship
For the entire academic year, the entire reward is paid out once, straight to the attending academic institution. The fall and spring semesters will each get an equal amount of the reward. The incentives given to the chosen candidates will range from $2,500 to $20,000.
The CBC Member’s district office scholarship committee chooses the recipients of the CBC Spouses Education Scholarship.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include Black and African American students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees. Seniors in high school may also apply. Candidates must be CBC Members and either reside in or attend school there.
How to Apply
You can apply by filling up the application form on their website once the scholarship is open to the general public.
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The National Black Nurses Association, Inc.
Under the direction of Dr. Lauranne Sams, former dean, and professor of nursing at the School of Nursing at Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama, the National Black Nurses Association, Inc. was established in 1971. NBNA is a nonprofit corporation that was established in the state of Ohio on September 2, 1972.
For nurses and other allied health workers, NBNA offers continuing education seminars all year long as part of its commitment to educational quality. The organization offers annual bursaries to students.
Eligibility Requirements
A student must be an active NBNA member and enrolled in a nursing program.
How to Apply
You can apply by filling up the application form on their website once the scholarship is open to the public.
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Dr. Barbara Odom-Wesley Spirit of Achievement Scholarship
Another scholarship that is open to African Americans is the Dr. Barbara Odom-Wesley Spirit of Achievement Scholarship. Any four-year or two-year college or university may accept the scholarship.
Cosmetology, trade, and similar schools are not permitted. Once your college or university has received verification of enrolment, the scholarship money will be sent straight to them.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Senior high school student of African descent in Grand Prairie or Tarrant County, Texas:
- Minimum 2.5 overall GPA on a scale of 4.0
- Participation in after-school activities
- Public Service
- Demonstrated Leadership
- Application and supplemental files uploaded
- An official high school transcript from your high school counselor, with a non-weighted grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
How to Apply
Get ready to submit the following files before you start the application:
- Academic profile that has been completed and signed by your school counselor.
- Two letters of recommendation from anyone who can attest to your leadership qualities in a club, organization, UIL group, or community service project and who is not connected to your project
- ACT or SAT score verification – The websites for the ACT and SAT tests allow students to order their results. Consult your counselor because your official transcript may already contain the results.
- Maximum 1000 words, one inch of margin, double spacing, and Times Roman 12-point font; subject: How do you develop leadership excellence?
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Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) Scholarships
To encourage Black and African American students to attend college and pursue careers in technology, the BAM Scholarship was established. The objective is to inspire the next generation to do greater things.
BAM will provide 45 scholarships worth a combined $182,500 (USD) this year, including four (4) $20,000 awards given over four years ($5,000 per year, renewable).
Eligibility Requirements
If you want to be considered for a BAM Scholarship,
- You must be an African-American high school senior living in the US (for example, African American, African, Ethiopian, etc.).
- Plan to enroll in a four-year college or university in the US in the fall after graduating from high school.
- Plan to major in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or a choice of business degrees to earn a bachelor’s degree (such as finance, business administration, or marketing).
- Show your enthusiasm for technology.
- Show leadership at school or in the neighborhood.
- Make a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3.
- Need financial support to go to college.
How to Apply
In order to be considered for a BAM Scholarship, you must submit the following materials: Two letters of recommendation. A teaching or staff member from your institution must write at least one of the letters. Recommendation letters should be unique and not copies of letters of recommendation from colleges.
(Letters should be printed on letterhead.) Please make sure your recommender has uploaded a letter by the deadline if you want them to do so. The deadline must be met with regard to all submissions.
Résumé. You should list the following details on your resume:
- Activities outside of the classroom (school and community related)
- Awards and honors you have received (if possible, include awards that are technology related)
- Work experience
- A photo of yourself Images must be colored.
- Transcript. Submit a copy of your most recent academic transcript as well. (Copies that are either official or unofficial will be accepted.)
Essays two.
Describe how you intend to work in the technology sector in your future profession in no more than 500 words. (If you used technology in high school to produce excellent work, please discuss that as well.)
Please explain your financial need for this scholarship in no more than 250 words.