What African American Scholarships Can Students Apply For?

There are many African American Scholarships to apply for. Some notable organizations that offer black scholarships are Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Jackie Robinson Foundation, NAACP, and UNCF.

What HBCU Colleges Offer Scholarships to African American Students?

There are about 101 HBCUs located in 19 states, and many offer HBCU scholarships. Some HBCU scholarships for incoming college freshmen are from Howard University and Spelman College.

Can African American Women Students Win a Scholarship?

There are many scholarships for African American women. These awards promote more equality and encourage women to attend college. African American women may apply for the Davis Scholarship for Women in STEM

Why Is it Important to Apply for an African American Scholarship?

College scholarships for Black students can make your college education more affordable. You may use the funds to pay for tuition, fees, books and other expenses.

African American Scholarships for College

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Written by Dave Moniz

✔️ Edited by Unigo Staff

Black and African American students have access to a wide range of scholarships to help finance their college education. Notable organizations offering scholarships for Black students include the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Jackie Robinson Foundation, NAACP, United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and the Ron Brown Scholar Program.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), approximately 2.4 million Black students are pursuing higher education in the United States. Despite increasing enrollment, African American students are less likely to graduate on time, with only about 40% of Black students completing a bachelor's degree within six years. Scholarships play a crucial role in bridging the financial gap, enabling more students to graduate.

List of African American Scholarships for College

Check out our list of 27,198 African American Scholarships for College worth $107M.

Kathy Johnson Outreach Scholarship

$600 Award Amount

1 Award

Dec 7 Deadline

This award is for a non-traditional undergraduate or post-baccalaureate student. Applicants must attend an Oregon school and pursue a degree in a field of study related to wildlife science.

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NABA National Scholarship Program

$5,000 Award Amount

50 Awards

Dec 15 Deadline

This award is available for currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students who are African American (black) or of African descent and are active members of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). Students must have an overall grade point average of 3.3 or higher and a major grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

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Porter Physiology Development Fellowship

$84,900 Award Amount

2 Awards

Jan 15 Deadline

This award is available for minority graduate students who are working toward a Ph. D. in physiology.

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CESDA Diversity Scholarship Application

$1,000 Award Amount

7 Awards

Jan 18 Deadline

This award is available for graduating high school seniors from the state of Colorado who plan to enroll in an accredited college or university in Colorado. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher, and must be a member of a minority group or a first-generation college student.

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Paul H. Robbins, P.E., Honorary Scholarship

$5,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 1 Deadline

This award is for U.S. minority students who are entering the junior year of their engineering program.

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Kahdine Ann DaCosta Scholarship for Excellence in Leadership

$750 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 1 Deadline

This award is available for minority high school seniors who attend an inner-city school. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and a record of community activity and/or leadership.

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Ruth Peterson Fellowship for Racial and Ethnic Diversity

$6,000 Award Amount

3 Awards

Mar 1 Deadline

This award is available for U.S. graduate students who are pursuing a doctorate in criminology. Applicants must be a member of an underrepresented minority population.

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The Archway (MO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated Community Service Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 9 Deadline

The The Archway (MO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated Community Service Scholarship is provided annually to African American high school seniors in St. Louis who have a record of community service in one of the five target areas identified by the sponsor. Click here to learn about how to apply today!

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VSGC Undergraduate STEM Bridge Scholarship

$1,000 Award Amount

24 Awards

Mar 11 Deadline

This award is for U.S college sophomores who are enrolled full time in a program of study in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) at one of the five Virginia Space Grant institutions. The student must be federally recognized as a minority (African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, or Pacific Islander).

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American Anthropological Association Minority Dissertation Fellowship

$10,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 14 Deadline

The American Anthropological Association Minority Dissertation Fellowship is available to minority students who are pursuing a doctorate in anthropology.

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Sachs Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship

$20,000 Award Amount

35 Awards

Mar 15 Deadline

This award is available for U.S. Colorado students who are high school seniors or high school graduates that have graduated not more than three years prior to application and have not or are not attending college. Students must be a member of the African American race. An applicant with mixed racial and ethnic backgrounds must demonstrate his/her racial identity to be predominantly African American.

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Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship

$2,500 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 15 Deadline

This award is available for a United Methodist ethnic minority student enrolling in his/her junior or senior year in the journalism or communications department of an accredited college or university in the U.S. Applicants must plan to pursue a career in religious journalism.

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Sachs Foundation Graduate Scholarships

$18,000 Award Amount

10 Awards

Mar 15 Deadline

This scholarship is available for African American students who are currently enrolled in or accepted to an accredited graduate program in the United States. Selection will be based on academic merit and financial need.

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Henry Sachs Nursing and Health Science Scholarship at UCCS

$18,000 Award Amount

5 Awards

Mar 15 Deadline

This scholarship is available for African American students who are majoring in nursing or health sciences at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Selection is based primarily on academic achievement and unmet financial need.

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Morris A. Esmiol, Jr. Scholarship

$24,000 Award Amount

2 Awards

Mar 15 Deadline

This scholarship is available for African American students who are majoring in engineering at the University of Colorado at Colorado springs. Applications will be primarily evaluated on academic achievement and unmet financial need.

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Sachs Foundation University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine Scholarship

$7,000 Award Amount

2 Awards

Mar 15 Deadline

This scholarship is available for African American students who are attending the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Colorado. Applications will be evaluated on a combination of academic achievement and unmet financial need.

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Sachs Foundation Scholarship for Pharmaceutical Sciences

$14,000 Award Amount

2 Awards

Mar 15 Deadline

This scholarship is available for African American students who are enrolled at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Colorado. Selection of award recipients will be based on demonstrated academic performance and unmet financial need.

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NABA Atlanta Chapter Scholarship

$1,250 Award Amount

8 Awards

Mar 24 Deadline

This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate and graduate ethnic minority students who are pursuing an undergraduate accounting, finance, or related business degree or master's-level business degree at a Georgia college/university or are Georgia residents. Applicants must be student members of NABA and have a grade point average of 3.2 or higher.

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Toigo MBA Fellowship

$10,000 Award Amount

55 Awards

Mar 27 Deadline

This award is available for U.S. minority graduate students who are planning to attend a full-time MBA program. The student must also be planning a career in financial services.

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AAJA Seattle Northwest Journalists of Color Scholarship

$2,500 Award Amount

5 Awards

Mar 29 Deadline

This award is for Washington state high school seniors and undergraduate students who are pursuing a journalism career. Students must attend a Washington college or university.

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Thurgood Marshall Scholarship

$2,000 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 31 Deadline

This award is available for U.S. and international students who have been accepted to or are currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program. Students must be pursuing a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a closely-related field and have maintained the equivalent of a 'B' average.

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CANFit Culinary Arts Undergraduate Scholarship

$750 Award Amount

1 Award

Mar 31 Deadline

This award is available for students who are enrolled in a California culinary arts school. Students must be of African-American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian-American, Pacific Islander or Latino/Hispanic ethnicity.

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SREB Doctoral Scholarship for Georgia Residents

$75,000 Award Amount

12 Awards

Mar 31 Deadline

This scholarship is available for minority students who are enrolled in a Ph.D. program at one of the following universities: Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Medical College of Georgia, and the University of Georgia. Applicants must demonstrate high academic achievement, intent to pursue a career in academia, and must be residents of Georgia.

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SREB Doctoral Scholarship for South Carolina Residents

$75,000 Award Amount

12 Awards

Mar 31 Deadline

This award is available for U.S. minority students who are currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program and planning to pursue a career as a professor. Applicants must be residents of South Carolina and must attend one of the following institutions: Clemson University, Medical University of South Carolina, or University of South Carolina at Columbia.

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SREB Doctoral Scholarship for Virginia Residents

$75,000 Award Amount

12 Awards

Mar 31 Deadline

This award is available for U.S. minority students who are currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program and planning to pursue a career as a professor. Applicants must be residents of Virginia and must enroll at one of the following eligible institutions: College of William and Mary, George Mason University, Old Dominion University, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

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Black and African American Scholarships

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is a prominent source of scholarships for Black students, awarding over $100 million annually to more than 10,000 students attending over 1,100 schools nationwide, including 37 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Similarly, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) offers over 300 scholarships each year to students demonstrating academic excellence and community involvement.

To apply for these scholarships, students typically need to complete an application form and provide their academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal essays.

The Ron Brown Scholar Program supports community-minded and intellectually gifted Black and African American students by awarding four-year scholarships totaling up to $40,000 (or up to $10,000 per year). Eligible applicants must be high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and financial need. Semifinalists are invited to a selection weekend in Washington, D.C., where finalists are chosen based on interviews, participation, and application materials.

Scholarships for African American students are essential financial aid sources, helping many overcome economic barriers to achieve a college degree.

10 Scholarships for African American Students in 2025

Joyful friends discuss over coffee in a cozy cafe.

Here are 10 scholarships for African American students to consider applying for now:

UNCF Scholarships
Ron Brown Scholar Program
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
NACME Scholarships
ABA Diversity Scholarship
Gates Scholarship
Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarships
Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
National Association of Black Journalists Scholarships
American Chemical Society Scholars Program

What HBCUs Offer Scholarships to Black Students?

Elegant woman in hijab with makeup smiling warmly indoors.

HBCUs are dedicated to providing quality education to Black and African American students. There are over 100 HBCUs located in 19 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Many of these institutions offer scholarships specifically for incoming freshmen.

Howard University is a private HBCU in Washington, D.C., enrolling over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Howard offers several merit-based scholarships for first-year students. Eligibility typically requires a strong GPA, high SAT/ACT scores, and submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Spelman College is a private, historically Black women’s college in Atlanta, Georgia, with an enrollment of around 2,100 students. Spelman offers competitive scholarships limited to first-year students. To qualify, applicants generally need a weighted GPA of at least 3.8 and SAT scores of 1330 or ACT scores of 31. Demonstrated leadership and community service are also important factors.

These HBCUs provide a supportive community and high-quality education, often with strong programs in STEM and business fields. They receive public funding and endowments to support resources that prepare Black students for success.

Are There STEM Scholarships for Black Students?

Yes, numerous STEM scholarships are available specifically for Black students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields.

The National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) partners with colleges and universities to offer scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $4,000. These scholarships are for high school students applying to engineering or computer science programs and current college students enrolled in these fields. Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship or permanent residency and a minimum GPA of 3.0.

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF), in collaboration with corporations like Intel, offers STEM scholarships such as the Intel Scholarship. Eligible applicants must be college juniors, seniors, or graduate students majoring in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering with a GPA of 3.20 or higher. Application requirements typically include letters of recommendation, transcripts, a resume, and an essay.

Are There Scholarships for Black Women Students?

Joyful group of friends laughing together outdoors.

Many scholarships are specifically focused on African American women, promoting equality and encouraging them to pursue higher education. The number of female students at HBCUs has risen significantly, with women now comprising over 60% of the student population at these institutions.

The William H. Davis Scholarship for Women in STEM partners with UNCF to award scholarships up to $5,000 to eligible female students majoring in STEM fields at UNCF member institutions. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, demonstrate financial need, and provide transcripts, letters of recommendation, an essay, and proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

Scholarships for Black women often aim to encourage entry into professions where they have been historically underrepresented, providing financial assistance to those who need it most.

There are also a variety of scholarships dedicated to supporting black men.

Why You Should Apply for an African American Scholarship

College scholarships for Black students can make higher education more affordable by covering costs such as tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. Unlike student loans, scholarships do not need to be repaid, making them a valuable resource for reducing student debt.

Whether you are a first-generation college student or continuing your education, scholarships can provide the financial support necessary to achieve your academic goals. According to the U.S. Department of Education, 14% of all first-generation students are African American, highlighting the importance of financial aid in supporting educational advancement.

Tips on Applying for Black Scholarships

Confident man with arms crossed wearing a black shirt, gray backdrop.

Applying for scholarships can be a competitive and involved process, but these tips can help improve your chances:

Complete the FAFSA: Many scholarships administered by colleges and universities consider information from the FAFSA in terms of determining eligibility and award amounts. The FAFSA is also necessary for any state and federal grant aid you may be eligible for. Completing the FAFSA should be your first step.
Check Eligibility Requirements: Ensure you meet all the criteria before applying to avoid wasting time on scholarships for which you are not eligible.
Create a List of Scholarships: Keep track of scholarships, their deadlines, and requirements in a spreadsheet or calendar.
Prepare Application Materials in Advance: Gather transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation, and any other required documents ahead of time.
Follow Directions Carefully: Adhere strictly to application guidelines, including essay prompts and word counts.
Customize Your Essays: Tailor your essays to reflect the mission and values of each scholarship, highlighting how you align with them.
Proofread Your Applications: Review your applications for any errors or omissions before submitting.
Apply Early: Submitting your application before the deadline demonstrates enthusiasm and allows time to address any unforeseen issues.

Keep Copies of Your Applications: Save copies of all materials submitted for future reference and to help with other applications.