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.
$350
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
This award program is offered to African-American students in grades nine through eleven who attend schools in one of the following school districts in Tacoma/Pierce County, Washington: Bethel, Clover Park, Franklin Pierce, Puyallup, Steilacoom, Tacoma, or University Place. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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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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$4,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Nov 15
Deadline
This award is for minority undergraduate students who have a grade point average of 3.4 or higher and are members of the Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers (IISE). The student must major in industrial engineering and may attend an institution in the U.S., its territories, Canada or Mexico.
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$2,500
Award Amount
3
Awards
Nov 25
Deadline
This award is available for minority law school students who live in or attend law school in the San Francisco Bay Area. A $20,000 scholarship and one $5,000 scholarship, with the potential for additional scholarships and awards based on funding. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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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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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Dec 7
Deadline
This award is for full-time graduate students who are members of the Oregon Chapter of TWS who are attending an Oregon school pursuing a graduate degree in a field of study related to wildlife science. A number of factors are considered for selectees. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$10,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 4
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. or Canadian college juniors, seniors, and graduate students who belong to one of the following groups (as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau): Black or African American, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, or a Pacific Islander. Students must be majoring in public administration, (governmental) accounting, finance, political science, economics or business administration (with a specific focus on government or non-profit management).
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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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$55,000
Award Amount
11
Awards
Jan 8
Deadline
This award is for U.S. medical students who have worked toward cultural and linguistic representation in healthcare. Applicants must be entering their third or fourth year of medical school and must plan to pursue a career in southern California.
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$20,000
Award Amount
4
Awards
Jan 8
Deadline
Lockheed Martin solves technology problems and partners with the National Society of Black Engineers to award four college scholarships to eligible Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Industrial/Systems Engineering students.
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$108,000
Award Amount
18
Awards
Jan 8
Deadline
Honeywell partners with the National Society of Black Engineers to award eighteen college scholarships to eligible Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Students.
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$20,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Jan 14
Deadline
This scholarship will assist current African-American undergraduate sophomores who are current residents of Atlanta, Boston, or the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area of North Carolina and are pursuing a major in Business Administration, Consulting, Energy, Finance or Accounting, Human Resources, IT or Technology at an accredited four-year college or university.
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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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$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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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for Hispanic and African-American high school seniors residing in Hillsborough County, Florida. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and plan to enroll in an accredited college or university in the U.S.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for African American women in Hillsborough County Florida. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors, must demonstrate financial need, and must plan to attend Hillsborough Community College.
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$1,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school juniors and seniors in Hillsborough county. Applicants must be African American, female, and must demonstrate financial need through eligibility in her current high school's free or reduced-cost school lunch program.
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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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$10,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 20
Deadline
The Holly A. Cornell scholarship is available for female and/or minority students in pursuit of advanced training in the field of water supply and treatment. Applicants must be accepted to or currently enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited college or university.
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$5,000
Award Amount
5,000
Awards
Jan 20
Deadline
This award is available for female and minority undergraduate students who are majoring in engineering. Applicants must also plan to pursue a career in the water supply industry.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 23
Deadline
Established in 2003, the HBCU Council of Shiloh Baptist Church offers the Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith HBCU Scholarship Award of $2,000 to an incoming freshman at an HBCU with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 23
Deadline
The HBCU Council of Shiloh Baptist Church offers the Carolyn M. Harris HBCU Scholarship Award of $1,000 to an incoming freshman at an HBCU with a minimum GPA of 2.5 who is a member of a musical group or (music) education major.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 23
Deadline
The HBCU Council of Shiloh Baptist Church offers the Heritage HBCU Scholarship Award of $2,000 to an incoming freshman at an HBCU with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on the basis of financial need.
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$21,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 30
Deadline
This scholarship is open to U.S. students who plan to enroll at Missouri State University as incoming freshmen. Students must: rank in the top 50 percent of their class or have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher; and have demonstrated leadership in multicultural school or community activities or organizations. Students with disabilities and/or historically underrepresented populations are encouraged to apply.
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$3,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
African American men between 17 and 25 years of age and planning to enroll at FSCJ for the first time are eligible for this award. Students must have and maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and plan to attend classes on a full-time basis.
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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