The Ultimate Guide To Minority Scholarships
Every year, colleges and universities are becoming more diverse. Minority scholarships can help lower the cost of college and graduate school. With rising tuition costs, our resources and this minority scholarship guide can help you pay for college and graduate school.
Scholarships for underrepresented minority students 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:
Types Of Minority Scholarships
Minority scholarships are available from colleges, universities, non-profit organizations and foundations. If you are a minority student, scholarships are available to help pay for tuition, room and board, books and other essential items for college and graduate school. The following are some types of minority scholarships:
- African American Scholarships
- Asian American Scholarships
- Hispanic and Latino Scholarships
- Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Scholarships
- Native American Scholarships
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.
Minority Scholarships
These Minority Scholarship scollectively offer hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to minority students based on merit and financial need.
A.T. Anderson Memorial Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 31, 2022
This scholarship is for full-time undergraduate or graduate students who are pursuing a degree in medicine, engineering, physical science, natural resources, math or science.
View ScholarshipAlan Turing Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: January 05, 2022
This scholarship is for students at UCSD that are majoring in Computer Science, Computer or Electrical Engineering, Communications, or Political Science/Public Policy, and other programs touching on networked systems, who are also active in supporting the LGBTQIA+ community. Preference given to students with experience or interest in research, with high academic merit, and demonstrated financial need.
View ScholarshipAmerican Indian Nurse Scholarship Awards
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: June 1, 2022
This scholarship is for applicants who are at least 1/4 American Indian and and able to prove direct tribal ancestry. Applicants must pursue a career in health care, such as nursing, to serve the American Indian community.
View ScholarshipAnna N. Dosen Serbian Educational Fund
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: March 31, 2022
This scholarship is for high school seniors and undergraduate students who plan to pursue a degree in health care related fields. Students of Serbian heritage will be given preference.
View ScholarshipAPIA General Scholarship Program
Amount: Varies
Deadline: January 22, 2022
This scholarship is available to applicants who are underserved APIA (Asian and Pacific Islander American) students who live at or below the poverty level and are the first in their family to go to service. Leadership and academic achievement are weighed heavily in the scholarship decision.
View ScholarshipC. Richard and Audrey Barnes Nursing Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: December 1, 2022
This scholarship is for need-based, minority students who are pursuing an undergraduate nursing degree.
View ScholarshipCatching The Dream Scholarship Program
Amount: Varies
Deadline: September 15, 2022
The scholarship is for Native American high school students who are attending college. Preference will be given to applicants who who plan to study engineering, math, science, business, computers and education.
View ScholarshipCeasar Chavez Latino Education Fund
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: January 1, 2022
This scholarship is for Latino students in Arizona and California. The scholarships are based on academic performance, leadership, extracurricular activities, volunteer service, and financial need.
View ScholarshipChickasaw Nation Scholarship Program
Amount: Varies
Deadline: February 1, 2022
This scholarship is for Chickasaw citizens who are pursuing higher education.
View ScholarshipDavid Porter Need-Based Diversity Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: November 1, 2022
This scholarship is for students who have been traditionally under-represented on study abroad programs. Applicants must be a member a Member or Associate Member of the IES Abroad Consortium your school must have a policy of transferring at least 75% of institutional aid for study abroad. Applicants must present a brief written bio statement.
View ScholarshipDenny's Hungry for Education 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 ScholarshipDiversity Advancement Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: January 17, 2022
This scholarship is for minority students plan to enroll in an NAAB-accredited architecture program and who have a 3.0 minimum GPA.
View ScholarshipEdward S. Roth Manufacturing Engineering Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: February 1, 2022
This scholarship is for minority students who are graduating seniors, undergraduate or graduate students who are enrolled in manufacturing engineering. Preference granted to minority students and demonstration of financial need.
View ScholarshipEMPOWER Scholarships
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: April 15, 2022
The EMPOWER Scholarship, supports minority students who are pursuing a career in a medical or rehabilitation field.
View ScholarshipEPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship Program
Amount: $45,000
Deadline: September 1, 2022
This scholarship is for students studying at Minority Serving Institutions and provides funds for two years of undergraduate study to rising junior undergraduate students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
View ScholarshipEsperanza Scholarship
Amount: $5,000 – $20,000
Deadline: January 24, 2022
This scholarship is for applicants who are of Hispanic heritage or descent. Scholarship recipients will be selected on the basis of academic record, need, demonstrated leadership, participation in school and community service activities, honors, work experience, statement of goals and aspirations, and unusual personal and/or family circumstances.
View ScholarshipFontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: March 15, 2022
This scholarship is for first generation high school seniors who are underrepresented, graduating high school, need financial assistance, and are pursuing a four-year degree. Applicants must major in one of the following: transportation management, math, science, engineering, architecture, environmental design, pre-med, psychology, and Spanish language/literature.
View ScholarshipGolden Door Scholars
Amount: $40,000
Deadline: September 30, 2022
This scholarship is for high schools students or high school graduates who have DACA or TPS and came to the U.S. before age 16. Applicants must attend a Golden Door Scholars Partner Schools. The scholarship’s goal is to light the way for Dreamers to invest in their education and achieve their career goals.
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 ScholarshipGuam Society of America Scholarship Program
Amount: Varies
Deadline: May 30, 2022
This scholarship is available to eligible college students pursuing an undergraduate degree or graduating high school.
View ScholarshipHACUS-IES Study Abroad Scholarship
Amount: $2,500 – $5,000
Deadline: November 1, 2022
This scholarship is available for students who are currently attending a Hispanic-Serving Institution that is a member of Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU). Applicants must demonstrate financial need, and preference is given to first generation college students and/or federal Pell Grant recipients.
View ScholarshipHawai'i Community Foundation Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Deadline: July 1, 2022
This scholarship is for college students who are residents of Hawaii who can demonstrate financial need. Annually, HCF distributes over $4.5 million to deserving students, making it the third largest private provider of post-secondary scholarships in the state.
View ScholarshipHerbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: April 1, 2022
This scholarship is for qualified, outstanding undergraduate students and is named after the former Governor and U.S. from New York in recognition of his integrity, courage, and persistence on behalf of numerous civil rights causes. There is no minimum GPA or test score.
View ScholarshipIndian-American Foundation Upakar Scholarship
Amount: $2,000 – $8,000
Deadline: April 30, 2022
This scholarship is for students who are either born in or have a parent born in the Republic of India. You must have at least a 3.6 GPA and a family income of less than $90,000.
View ScholarshipLatinos in Technology Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: January 1, 2022
This scholarships is for for Latino students who have a declared major in a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-related field. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA, be a junior in college, demonstrate financial need, and have graduated or attend college in Northern California.
View ScholarshipLiveLikeLyly Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: May 6, 2022
This scholarship is for Asian American students who are pursuing a major in fashion or graphic design. Applicants must be at least 25% Asian or Pacific Islander and have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities.
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 ScholarshipMigrant Farmworker Baccalaureate Scholarship
Amount: $20,000
Deadline: July 1, 2022
This scholarship provides support for a student with a history of migrating for employment in agriculture who has successfully completed one year of college to cover expenses beyond federal, state, and other scholarship assistance.
View ScholarshipMinorities In Government Finance Scholarship
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: January 18, 2022
This scholarship is for outstanding minority students enrolled in a course of study preparing for a career in state or local government finance. Applicants must choose a course of study in Public administration, (governmental) accounting, finance, political science, economics, or business administration (with specific focus on government or nonprofit management).
View ScholarshipMoss Adams Foundation
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 30, 2022
This scholarship is for applicants who wish to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Applicants may be minority women, women returning to school as current or re-entry juniors or seniors, or women pursuing their fifth year requirement through either general studies or within a graduate program.
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 ScholarshipNative American Seminary
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, Inc. (SSAI) 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 Inc. 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 ScholarshipSidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholarships
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: March 15, 2022
This scholarship is for students who are entering or attending law school and demonstrate a commitment to developing a career in intellectual property law. Applicants must be U.S. citizen and demonstrate financial need.
View ScholarshipTELACU College Success Program Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: January 1, 2022
Applicants for the TELACU College Success Program must be first-generation college students from a low to moderate household income. A GPA of 2.5 or higher is required.
View ScholarshipThe CIRI Foundation General Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Deadline: June 1, 2022
This scholarship is for applicatns who are a CIRI original enrollee or a direct lineal descendant. You must have a high school diploma or GED and a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
View ScholarshipThe Titan Web Agency Scholarship Program
Amount: $500
Deadline: December 1, 2022
This scholarship is for students who are attending a four-year college or two-year community college who want to build a business and who are in financial need. Minority students are encouraged to apply.
View ScholarshipUnited South & Eastern Tribes
Amount: Varies
Deadline: January 15, 2022
This scholarship is for undergraduate students who are a member of the member tribes of the United South and Eastern Tribes.
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 ScholarshipVincent and Catherine Sansalone Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: February 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 ScholarshipZuni Tribal Scholarship
Amount: Varies
Deadline: October 30, 2022
This scholarship is a need-based scholarship for members of the Zuni Tribe. Applicants must be graduating seniors or current undergraduate students.
View Scholarship