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.
$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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$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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$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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$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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$1,800
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to incoming and current undergraduate nursing students from Forsyth County, NC, who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Students must demonstrate some financial need, although merit is given greater consideration; preference is given to African-American students.
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$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors from Forsyth County, North Carolina, who are African-American or Hispanic. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need; academic merit will be given greater consideration than financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to African-American high school seniors who reside in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to African-American high school seniors who attend Forsyth County (NC) high schools and plan to attend a Historically Black College/University (HBCU). Students must have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher and demonstrate financial need; merit and need are equally weighted.
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$500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is open to African-American high school seniors who attend a Forsyth County (NC) high school and reside in The Winston-Salem Foundation's service area. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for African American residents of Maryland who have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher. Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate, graduate, or professional education program in the U.S.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for African American residents of Washington D.C. who have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher and unmet financial need. Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program in the U.S.
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$4,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
The Dr. Charles L. Cooke Scholarship is available for first-time students at the Southern California University of Health Sciences. Applicants must be African American and must have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher.
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$1,500
Award Amount
5
Awards
Apr 1
Deadline
The Dr. Gertrude Dunsworth Scholarship is available for first-time students at the Southern California University of Health Sciences. Applicants must be of Native America, African American or Latin American descent, and must have a grade point average of 2.7 or higher.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 1
Deadline
The Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Kappa Sigma Alumni Chapter Scholarship is available for black men who are graduating from a high school in the St. Louis city area. Applicants must demonstrate academic merit and unmet financial need.
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$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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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Oct 1
Deadline
Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C., a personal-injury law firm based out of Michigan, is pleased to announce the annual Buckfire & Buckfire Medical School Diversity Scholarship. This scholarship has been funded as part of Buckfire & Buckfire’s commitment to and mission of helping to promote diversity of backgrounds and experience within the legal profession.
Application is open to racial and ethnic minorities of all backgrounds who are currently enrolled in an accredited medical school within the United States. Award selection will be based on a combination of essay responses and academic achievement as demonstrated in the applicant's transcripts.
The Buckfire & Buckfire Medical School Diversity Scholarship is provided annually to medical school students who represent ethnically and racially diverse populations.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 31
Deadline
The Ruth L. Brocklebank Memorial Scholarship Fund is available for African American students who have graduated from a public school in Springfield, MA.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for minorities students who are currently enrolled as high school seniors in Hillsborough County, Florida. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and must qualify for free or reduced school lunches.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 15
Deadline
The goals of The Walt Disney Company UNCF Corporate Scholars Program are to help create a diverse pipeline of college educated professionals ready to assume fulfilling off-camera careers in entertainment and to help raise the number of underrepresented minorities employed in the entertainment industry.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 13
Deadline
UNCF has helped more than 500,000 students earn their college degrees since its founding. UNCF is the nation’s largest private scholarship provider to minority group members. The UNCF-Ralph Lauren Scholarship was established to assist seniors in bridging the financial gap to complete their undergraduate college education.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Apr 16
Deadline
This scholarship was established to honor the life of Craig D. Butler and to continue his legacy of integrity, generosity and service. Applicants must be of African-American descent, with a GPA of at east 3.0, pursuing higher education whether at a college, university or vocational-technical school.
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$5,500
Award Amount
130
Awards
Nov 30
Deadline
U.S. minority students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, who are enrolled full time in an undergraduate or graduate technical science or engineering discipline are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The scholarship is not available to spouses and children of Xerox employees.
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$15,000
Award Amount
11
Awards
Jul 7
Deadline
Morgan Stanley offers the Morgan Stanley Richard B. Fisher Scholarship Program, which is an integral part of their diversity recruiting efforts helping to attract Black, Hispanic, Native American, and LGBT+ undergraduate sophomores and juniors. Candidates must indicate eligibility on their 2020 Summer Analyst Program application.
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$9,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Dec 20
Deadline
Students studying classics or classical archaeology are encouraged to apply. Eligible proposals might include (but are not limited to) participation in classical summer programs or field schools in the Mediterranean or language training at institutions in the U.S., Canada, or Europe. The maximum amount of the award will be $4,500.
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$17,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Feb 28
Deadline
The Maasai Haile Jones Memorial Scholarship is exclusively for residents of San Jose, CA. Eligible applicants must be African American students who are high school seniors or college freshmen.
Three finalists will be selected. Grand Prize: $10,000. First runner-up will receive $5,000. Second runner-up will receive $2,500.
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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