The Ultimate Guide To Scholarships For African Americans
If you’re looking for scholarships for African Americans, you’ve come to the right place. College can be expensive, which is why scholarships for African Americans can help lower the cost of college and graduate school. If you’re an African American student, our resources and this scholarship guide for African Americans can help you pay for college and graduate school.
Scholarships for underrepresented minorities help to increase diversity at colleges and universities, and they also provide a path to expanded educational and professional opportunities.
In this guide, we will discuss:
African American Scholarships
Scholarships for African American students are available from colleges, universities, non-profit organizations and foundations. The following are some examples of leading African American scholarships:
- United Negro College Fund
- Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
- Tom Joyner Foundation
- Gates Millennium Scholarship Program
- Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
- Ron Brown Scholars Program
How To Pay For College
There are many ways to pay for college. Paying full tuition, fees and room and board is not the only choice. Here are the main ways for how to pay for college:
Scholarships. Scholarships are available from non-profit organizations, companies and civic organizations who want to make a difference in the lives of young women. There are hundreds of scholarships available, each has its own separate application process.
Grants. Grants are based on your financial need and are available from your school, federal government or state government. Unlike a student loan, grants do not need to be repaid.
Student Loans. Student loans are the most popular way that students pay for college or graduate school. After you have received scholarships and grants, you likely will borrow student loans. You can borrow student loans from the federal government and from a private lender. If you borrow from the federal government, you receive the same interest rate as all other borrowers. If you borrow from a private lender, you may receive a lower interest rate if you have a credit history or apply with a co-signer.
Federal Work Study. Federal work study is available for undergraduate and graduate students. The program is based on need and provides students with a job to earn money and pay for college or graduate school.
The Scholarship Application Process
Each scholarship has different requirements so make sure to check for qualifications. There also may be eligibility requirements that you need to satisfy in addition to applying for a particular scholarship. Here are some common components of the scholarship application process:
Grades. Many scholarships may have a minimum grade point average. Even if the scholarship is need-based, scholarship organizations may require a minimum level of academic achievement.
Essay. You may need to answer one or more essay questions. Scholarship organizations may want to evaluate your writing ability and the reasons you believe you are best qualified to receive a scholarship.
Recommendations. You may be asked to provide one or more written recommendations. These recommendations can be from teachers or employers who know you well and can highlight your strengths and aptitude.
Interviews. Some scholarships may require an interview. These interviews may be on the telephone or in person. In either case, it’s helpful to prepare for your interviews.
Scholarships For African Americans
These scholarships for African Americans collectively offer hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to young African Americans based on merit and financial need.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: December 13, 2022
This scholarship is for women who are enrolled or plan to enroll in an engineering program. The scholarship is renewable for four additional years.
View ScholarshipAmerican Sociological Association Minority Fellowship Program
Amount: $18,000
Deadline: January 31, 2022
This scholarship seeks to attract talented doctoral students to ensure a diverse and highly trained workforce is available to assume leadership roles in sociological research. The Minority Fellowship program also helps prepare fellows for a research career, including papers, workshops and conferences.
View ScholarshipBoule Foundation Scholarship
Amount: $4,000
Deadline: March 31, 2022
This scholarship is for students of African American descent attending four-year, accredited, non-profit degree granting colleges and universities of their choice.
View ScholarshipCalifornia Medical Scholarships
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: November 15, 2022
This scholarship is for underrepresented students pursuing medical professions in the state of California. Applicants must believe in bettering the quality of human life, especially in the areas of mental health, rehabilitative and geriatric medicine, and individuals with disabilities.
View ScholarshipCoca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
Amount: $20,000
Deadline: October 31, 2022
This scholarship is for graduating high school seniors who are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.
View ScholarshipDenny's Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $2,500 – $5,000
Deadline: August 18, 2022
This scholarship is for Los Angeles residents who embody the spirit of Shami Sall, a loved and admired senior director of operations at Denny’s. Applicants must submit an essay and their junior year of high school GPA.
View ScholarshipEdward G. Irvin Foundation Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: January 1, 2022
This scholarship is for male African-American students with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA who are enrolling in a 4-year college or university. Applicants must activelt participate in extra-curricular and/or community service activities.
View ScholarshipEMPOWER Scholarships
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: April 15, 2022
This scholarship encourages and supports minority students who are pursuing a career in a medical or rehabilitation field. Applicants must identify how they will use their education and training and demonstrate their interest in rehabilitation. Selection is based on the applicant’s stated intentions, past achievements, need, and graduation ranking.
View ScholarshipGoldman Sachs MBA Fellowship
Amount: $25,000
Deadline: March 29, 2022
This scholarship is for first year MBA students who are pursuing a summer internship at Goldman Sachs.
View ScholarshipGreat Minds in Stem Scholarship Program
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: April 1, 2022
This scholarship is for a graduating high school senior, undergraduate or graduate student from a traditionally underserved or underrepresented group in science, technology, engineering, math or health.
View ScholarshipHBCU Tour Meal Scholarship
Amount: $500
Deadline: December 13, 2022
This scholarship is for students who attend historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) and must be used toward a meal plan. Applicants must attend one of the following HBCU’s: Claflin, Clark Atlanta, Florida A&M, Howard, South Carolina State, Texas Southern or Wilberforce University.
View ScholarshipHungry For Education Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: December 13, 2022
This scholarship is for a graduating high school senior, undergraduate or graduate student from a traditionally underserved or underrepresented group in science, technology, engineering, math or health.
View ScholarshipJackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
Amount: $30,000
Deadline: February 1, 2022
This scholarship is for outstanding high school students who are attending a four-year college or university and want to navigate their college environments, explore career options, develop leadership skills, and embrace a commitment to service.
View ScholarshipJoshua David Gardner Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: April 30, 2022
This scholarship is for U.S. citizens age 17-25 who attend historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) and have a 2.8 minimum GPA. Applicants must submit a transcript, recommendations and an essay.
View ScholarshipMae & Mary Scholarship Fund
Amount: Varies
Deadline: April 30, 2022
This scholarship is for African-American graduating seniors who plan to pursue a career in health care.
View ScholarshipNational Medical Fellowships
Amount: Varies
Deadline: January 1, 2022
This scholarship is for underrepresented minority students who are enrolled in a graduate U.S. healthcare program. Must demonstrate a commitment to serve medically underserved communities.
View ScholarshipRon Brown Scholars Program
Amount: $40,000
Deadline: January 9, 2022
This scholarship is for the most talented and economically-challenged high school seniors who demonstrate a keen interest in public service, community engagement, business entrepreneurship and global citizenship.
View ScholarshipScience Systems and Applications Underrepresented Student Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: March 15, 2022
This scholarship is awarded on the basis of scholarship and participation in the SPS national organization to undergraduate students in their sophomore or junior year of study who are from a group that is underrepresented in science and engineering.
View ScholarshipSeeds of Fortune Scholarship
Amount: $500
Deadline: January 1, 2022
This scholarship is a program that is creating the next generation of financially empowered young women of color by helping them apply for college scholarships, as well as teaching career and financial management skills.
View ScholarshipSummerowner Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: January 1, 2022
This scholarship is for male African-American students with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA who are enrolling in a 4-year college or university. Applicants must activelt participate in extra-curricular and/or community service activities.
View ScholarshipTom Joyner Foundation Future Filmmakers Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: December 13, 2022
This scholarship is for future filmmakers who attend historically black colleges and universities (HBCU). The scholarship is provided by The Tom Joyner Foundation (TJF) and Denny’s.
View ScholarshipUnited States Hispanic Leadership Institute Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: December 13, 2022
This scholarship is available to all college students. Applicants will be evaluated on their grades and academic performance as well as an essay submission.
View ScholarshipUSAttorneys.com Immigration Scholarship
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: July 1, 2022
This scholarship is for undergraduate students, graduate students or post-graduate students who are U.S. residents. You must answer an essay question on immigration.
View ScholarshipWomen Lead Scholarship
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: April 30, 2022
This scholarship will be awarded annually to women of Christian faith seeking a Masters or Doctoral level degree that will prepare them to serve in public service, non-profit leadership and/or in Christian ministry.
View Scholarship