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.
$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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$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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$500
Award Amount
21
Awards
Mar 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for minority U.S. students who are residents of the state of Illinois. The applicant must be pursuing courses of study that will prepare him/her for careers relating to the real estate industry or will enhance the skills and knowledge that he/she currently uses as a real estate professional.
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$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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$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 8
Deadline
This award is available for gay, lesbian, or transgendered students who are enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students majoring in social work. Applicants must be a resident of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington.
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$43,000
Award Amount
7
Awards
May 6
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students in the New York area who are members of an underserved or underrepresented population and enrolled in or planning to enroll in an associate's degree program with the intention of transferring to a bachelor's program immediately upon completion of associate's degree. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, enroll full time, and receive federal or state financial aid.
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$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 16
Deadline
The Actuarial Diversity Scholarship promotes diversity within the profession through an annual scholarship program for Black/African American, Hispanic, Native North American and Pacific Islander college students intent on a career in the actuarial profession.
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$500
Award Amount
2
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. female, minority high school seniors who are currently attending a high school in the Bronx or Manhattan. Students must have a cumulative, weighted grade point average of 80 or higher (3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale).
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$2,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
This award is for CBTU members who are high school seniors who have been accepted into college or college undergraduates and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
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$100,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. students enrolling at Bucknell University. First generation college students, students from outside the university's traditional geographic area, and those who bring cultural and intellectual diversity to the campus will be considered.
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$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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$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 14
Deadline
This award is available to Florida resident undergraduate students who are enrolled as upper division undergraduates in a state-approved teacher education program at an eligible Florida institution. Students must be of African, American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaskan Native descent, and plan to teach in a Florida public school upon graduation.
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$15,000
Award Amount
20
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This award is for racially and ethnically diverse students entering their first year of law school. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States, have a 2.5 grade point average, and demonstrate financial need. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$26,890
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 1
Deadline
This award is for U.S. undergraduate students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, SAT score of 980 or an ACT score of 21. Applicants must attend Milligan College and must contribute to the diversity of the student body.
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$1,000
Award Amount
9
Awards
Oct 15
Deadline
This award is for U.S. high school seniors who will be attending college in the fall. Applicants must be a member of an underrepresented group, have a minimum 3.0 grade point average and be pursuing a major in a STEM field; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Learn more and apply today!
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$8,250
Award Amount
10
Awards
Apr 30
Deadline
This award is for nursing students who are attending a professional registered nurse program and seeking initial licensure as a registered nurse in the state of Ohio. Applicants must be a member of an underrepresented group in the registered nursing profession and maintain a grade point average of 2.75.
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$7,500
Award Amount
10
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
U.S. first- and second-year college students who are attending select universities and demonstrate high academic achievement are eligible for this award.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
This award is for U.S. female students with an interest in writing. To apply, students must submit an unpublished work of fiction.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
This award is for U.S. female sophomore and junior students of African descent who are enrolled full time in an English, literature, journalism or related area of study at a Historically Black college or university. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or better and submit a 800-word essay on the topic the power of the written word.
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$180,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Jan 15
Deadline
This award is available to U.S high school seniors who are planning to attend Whitman College. Students must demonstrate the ability to contribute to increasing socioeconomic and multicultural diversity awareness at Whitman.
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$10,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 15
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must major in hospitality management or hotel/motel management and be part of a traditionally underrepresented group.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
May 10
Deadline
Indiana high school seniors or older who have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must be minority students enrolled or planning to enroll in a four-year college or university and be residents of Lake, LaPorte, or Porter counties.
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$1,500
Award Amount
5
Awards
Apr 13
Deadline
New Hampshire residents who are minorities will be considered for this award; preference is given to Hispanic students. Students must enroll in undergraduate or certificate programs of study.
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$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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$5,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Mar 24
Deadline
The Western Digital Scholarship Program is available for underprivileged and under-represented students who are majoring in STEM as well as the children and legal dependents of Western Digital Employees. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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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
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?
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?
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
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.
Our Scholarships
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$1,500 – I Have a Dream
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$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
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$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
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$2,500 – Superpower
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$3,000 – All About Education
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$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
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$1,500 – Do-Over
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$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
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$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
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$1,500 – Shout It Out
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$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
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$5,000 – Education Matters
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$1,500 – Top Ten List
Written by Dave Moniz
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Edited by Unigo Staff