College is expensive, and so many students turn to scholarships to fill their gaps in financing. Some scholarships are quite large and available to all students, while others are far more niche, targeted specifically at students of specific backgrounds and with specific interests. Ethnic markers are a common one for this, with a great many scholarships earmarked for students from ethnic backgrounds commonly underrepresented in higher education. In this article then, we’re going to be looking specifically at college scholarships for Black students, offered by a number of third party organizations. We won’t be able to cover all such scholarships of course, but we do want to give a list of what options are available, so you have an idea of where and how to begin looking.Ìý
A Note on Discrimination Lawsuits
Traditionally, a number of colleges have offered scholarships, generally endowed scholarships, which include race or ethnicity as a factor in who is awarded these scholarships. Over the past few years, there have been over these scholarships, most launched after the Supreme Court decided that affirmative action in admissions was unconstitutional.
While these are still ongoing, a number of colleges have . While they may win in court, the price of fighting it was not seen as worth it overall. These scholarships have generally been reconstituted to instead be for students from poor socio-economic backgrounds generally, rather than those of a specific race.
These lawsuits have generally targeted colleges and institutions of higher education. There are still many third party scholarships which are designed specifically for black students, but many of the ones previously offered by colleges are no longer available in the same form.
A List of Scholarships for Black Students
These are not presented in any particular order, and many have additional requirements beyond race. We will explain who each scholarship is for, and how you can apply to them.
This is a $1,000 scholarship which is open to African American students who live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, or Camden County New Jersey. There are two scholarships awarded each year. You must have a GPA of 3.0 and be a high school senior planning on enrolling in a two or four year college to be eligible to apply. The scholarship favors students who have been impacted by gun violence, but this isn’t a requirement to apply for it.
Applications open on September 1, and are due by April 10; you must apply online. The application requires demographic information, a list of your activities and honors, test scores, a note on your financial circumstances, and a one-page essay on why you want the scholarship, and how it would benefit you.
This is a last dollar scholarship, founded and funded by the Gates Foundation, which provides funding to high school seniors from low-income households. As a last dollar scholarship, it exists to fill any costs not covered by other scholarship sources. Note that this aid is applied to full cost of attendance; not just tuition, but fees, housing, books, food, and in some cases personal costs.
Note that this scholarship is not specifically for black students, but we thought it worth mentioning here, as many of the students who are awarded this scholarship are from minority communities. The be eligible to apply for the Gates Scholarship you must:
- Be a current high school senior
- Be eligible for a Pell grant
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident
- Be in good academic standing at your high school, with a minimum GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0 (unweighted)
- Plan to enroll full time at a non-for-profit college or university in the US
You may apply for the scholarship online. They are looking for students with an excellent academic track record, demonstrated leadership, and skills which lead to personal success. While race is not technically considered, minority students are heavily encouraged to apply for this scholarship.Ìý
This scholarship is for African-American students who are pursuing the fields of computer science, aviation, nursing, or music. The scholarship provides awards of between $1,500-$4,000; these are for one year, but the scholarship is open to both high school seniors and current college students. The scholarship prioritizes students at Oakwood University, and also gives preference to students attending other HBCUs.
Applications for this scholarship are open from May to June. The application must be submitted online; it requires demographic information, two letters of recommendation (which must be submitted on official letterhead), and an essay. They note that you are not allowed to use AI at all in completing your application.
This scholarship is specifically for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who are studying scientific or technical fields. This scholarship provides funding of up to $3,000 a year for up to four years of undergraduate study. To be eligible for this, you must first be identified and nominated by the faculty in a science or technology department at an HBCU you are attending.
Applicants are evaluated based on their academic potential and achievement, a personal essay, two letters of recommendation, and financial need. Financial need is used as a tiebreaker between otherwise equally qualified candidates. These awards are renewed annually so long as you maintain a 3.0 GPA and maintain your major in the technical field.
This program is specifically for students who attend public high schools in Columbus; one to two awards are given out annually, these are for up to $7,000 in total, though are disbursed in portions on an annual basis to help with tuition costs. You must have a minimum GPA of 2.75, have a demonstrated history of community involvement, intend to major in the sciences or social sciences, and provide proof you have been accepted to an accredited college or university in the US.
This scholarship is open to all students, though minority students are encouraged to apply. The application is open from February 1 to May 31 each year. You must submit your application online.
Disbursed by the Texas Baptists’ Association, this scholarship is specifically aimed at minority students interested in attending universities with a faith-centric purview, and who are part of the Baptist faith. The scholarship specifically requires students to attend a college in Texas which is part of the Baptist ministry; there are a number of universities in Texas which meet this requirement.
These scholarships are for a maximum of two semesters, and award $1,000 per semester. Note that you may apply for a renewal of this scholarship, for a maximum of four years of undergraduate study. Applications must be submitted online, and require a letter of recommendation from both a teacher and your pastor, along with an academic transcript.
This scholarship is run via the Council for Great City Schools (CGCS), a professional group for education leaders in major American cities. Funded via philanthropy, this scholarship is for four students each year, two black and two hispanic, who attend school in any CGCS member district, and who are planning to attend college to study in a STEM field.
All applications must be submitted online in April. The minimum requirements for applicants (beyond residential) are to have a 3.0 GPA and to be enrolled in a STEM field in a four-year accredited institution. The scholarship looks for students who have demonstrated academic excellence, and who have shown leadership skills and dedication to their community. The award is for up to $5,000.
This scholarship is specifically for LGBTQ students of color who are interested in pursuing a career in journalism, and who are attending undergrad in furtherance of that goal. The scholarship is open to students who are already enrolled or who are incoming. The application opens in April, and is due in May each year. There are scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students; the scholarship for undergrads is for up to $3,000.
You must apply to the scholarship online. You do not need to be a journalism major (though it is desirable), but must show a devotion to journalism through your work. Your application requires a resume, a transcript, and five samples of your journalistic work; these samples are what determines who receives the award.
These are a range of scholarships offered by Kappa Alpha Psi, an academic honors fraternity aimed at African American men, and which offers many different scholarships for African American men. These scholarships have a range of awards amounts, and many are targeted at scholars in different academic fields. They all share a single application, which is done through the organization’s website.
Most of these scholarships are one year and non-renewable, but some disburse over the course of your undergraduate career. The application requires the FAFSA confirmation page, three letters of recommendation, a transcript, and an essay. Note that certain scholarships have additional requirements, but by applying, you will be entered into consideration for all scholarships you are eligible for based on your field of study.
This is a very large collection of scholarships, primarily for students who are attending HBCUs. While these are not specifically for black students, because of the requirement to be attending an HBCU, there is some self-selection in who applies for them. These are a variety of scholarships for students of varying backgrounds, all under the same umbrella.
To apply for these scholarships, you must first create an account on the site; this requires demographic information, and where and what you are studying. Once this is entered, you are able to apply for scholarships for which you match the profile of what they are looking for from applicants. The amount of money per scholarship, and what it can be used for, varies. You are encouraged to apply to all scholarships you are eligible for.
Offered by the Gaines-Jones foundation, these are scholarships for African American students from a number of counties in Georgia and the San Francisco Bay area. These scholarships are for one year and do not automatically renew, but you can keep reapplying to them. Note that you can reapply for these scholarships even if you take time off or away before finishing your degree.
These scholarships require an online application, the most important component of which is the essay response. The scholarship looks for students with clear financial need, strong academic potential, and a history of community service and leadership. Applications open in February, and are due in March. The number and amount of awards varies year to year, but is generally a few thousand dollars.
This scholarship is offered by the Chapel Hill Carrboro Public School Foundation, and is open to students who attend a public school in that town. It is open to graduating seniors planning on enrolling in a two-year, four-year, or vocational college. In order to be eligible, you must be a minority student, have demonstrated financial need, have an overall GPA of at least 2.5, and have a registered IEP with the school.
This application must be submitted online, and requires an essay, your FAFSA form, and an academic transcript. If you are interested and attend a school in the district in question, talk with your counselor about applying for the scholarship. They do note that essays which use AI will not be accepted.
The Southern Scholars Initiative exists to improve educational outcomes for students in the rural South, particularly those from minority backgrounds. As part of this, they offer a pair of scholarships, one for $18,000, one for $12,000, both disbursed over four years. There is a single online application which you may use to apply to both of these scholarships.
These scholarships are specifically for students graduating from specific high schools in North Carolina, and are for minority students specifically. You must be Pell Grant eligible, and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. You must be accepted into and planning to enroll in a two-year or four-year college, and have a history of leadership and community service. Applications are due in April each year.
Final Thoughts
Niche scholarships are a classic thing, especially third party scholarships. Those who create them often do so with a certain goal in mind, one which can be incredibly niche, usually giving back to a group they are part of. Ethnic groups aren’t the only choice for this, but they certainly are a common one. While we haven’t been able to list every single scholarship for black students, we hope this article gave you a sense of some of what’s out there, and what they want from students.
If you are looking for advice on finding the best scholarships to match your unique circumstances, or finding a college that’s the right fit for you (academically and financially), then ³Ô¹Ï¹ÙÍø can help. Our mentors are skilled at helping students navigate the admissions process, from finding the perfect college, to figuring out what scholarships will help you pay for it. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about how we can help you.
