Paying for college – especially graduate school – is a massive burden. If you can’t find programs offering partial or full funding, scholarships for Black students are there to bridge the gap.
Ready to learn about free grants for African American students? Let’s begin.
Best General Scholarships for Black Students in 2024
1. UNCF General Scholarship
Deadline: March 28, 2024, 4:00 PM EST
Award Amount: Varies
Apply Here
The UNCF (United Negro College Fund) offers scholarships with varying award amounts. It provides underrepresented full-time undergraduate and graduate students studying at UNCF member institutions the financial help they seek.
The organization’s mission is to help build a nationally recognized network of students who become highly qualified graduates of their respected member institutions.
2. ABA Diversity Scholarship
Deadline: Varies
Award Amount: $5,000
Apply Here
ABA Diversity Scholarships focus on increasing the number of underrepresented groups in the transportation, travel, and tourism sectors (specifically within the management and operation ranks).
Impartial evaluators select winners, judging candidates on their academic excellence, character, financial need, leadership, and commitment to the aforementioned industries. However, applicants with affiliations to ABA member companies may be favored slightly more during the consideration phase.
3. ACHE Albert W. Dent Graduate Student Scholarships
Deadline: March 31, 2024
Award Amount: $5,000
Apply Here
This annual scholarship was established in honor of Albert W. Dent, the first African-American Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives. The award is specifically intended for racially diverse, ethnically diverse, and LGBTQ+ students, assisting them with expensive student loans, tuition, and related expenses.
4. APF Queen-Nellie Evans Award
Deadline: January 31, 2024
Amount: $4,000
Apply Here
Offered by the American Psychological Foundation, the APF Queen-Nellie Evans Scholarship was founded to assist graduate students and psychologists in their early careers. Each year, the APF awards this $4,000 scholarship to a graduate student from an underrepresented minority group who seeks to improve communities of color, especially those of African descent.
5. TMCF & McDonald’s Black and Positively Golden Scholarship
Deadline: March 27, 2024
Award Amount: $15,000
Apply Here
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund & McDonald’s Black and Positively Golden Scholarship is quite generous, offering up to 63 awards of $15,000 each academic year. Intended for exceptional undergraduate students attending HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), these scholarships for African American students can help cover tuition and similar fees.
6. Anna V. Waters Scholarship
Deadline: March 1, 2024
Award Amount: Up to $2,000
Apply Here
This scholarship for Black students was established to honor the legacy and memory of Anna V. Waters, a nurse who consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic throughout her life. Established in 2010, the fund supports African-American students with a demonstrable desire to pursue higher education. Applicants must have a GPA of 2.0-2.9.
7. CBC Foundation Spouses Education Scholarship
Deadline: March 31, 2024
Amount: $2,500
Apply Here
One of many grants for Black students, this scholarship was established in 1988 by spouses of CBC (Congressional Black Caucus) members. It’s intended to assist students within the CBC members’ congressional districts, particularly those affected by federal budget cuts on education programs and scholarships.
This scholarship awards academically gifted, highly motivated African-American students who are pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees in various fields.
Location-Specific Scholarships for Black College Students
8. CTA Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program
Deadline: February 23, 2024
Award Amount: Up to $6,000
Apply Here
The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program is offered by the California Teacher’s Association. The program encourages BIPOC students to become educators as well as counselors, therapists, and nurses in schools. Applicants must already be pursuing a certification or degree related to public education teaching. Please check the scholarship page for more eligibility information.
9. Sachs Foundation Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships
Deadline: March 15, 2024
Award Amount:
- Undergraduate: $10,000-$12,500 per year (for up to four years of study)
- Graduate: $10,000 per year (for up to four years, depending on the course of study)
Apply Here:
The Sachs Foundation offers its undergraduate scholarships to high school seniors from Colorado. Students who receive a grant may use the funds toward any full-time accredited institution they are enrolled in.
However, Sachs Foundation scholarships for Black graduate students are offered only to former Sachs undergraduate scholars. Both awards are generous and can be renewable for each academic year.
Scholarships for Black Women Students
There are many scholarships specifically offered to BIPOC women, and we’ve included some of these below. We’ve also compiled more details on general scholarships for women if some of these programs don’t suit your needs.
10. The Essence Scholars Program
Deadline: October 15, 2024
Award Amount: $10,000
Apply Here
This scholarship for black students is for female students enrolled in a UNCF college, as well as Howard University and Hampton University. You’ll need to demonstrate financial need and have a GPA of at least 3.0 to be eligible.
11. Alexis Mackenzie Memorial Scholarship for the Arts
Deadline: May 31, 2024
Award Amount: $1,350-$3,000
Apply Here
The Alexis Mackenzie Memorial Scholarship for the Arts awards five female-identifying applicants in their pursuit of art-related studies. The fund – which is open to African American and/or Latina students – was created in honor of Alexis Mackenzie, an art lover and dancer whose life ended far too soon.
12. Minority Women in STEM Financial Need Scholarship
Deadline: June 15, 2024
Award Amount: $10,000
Apply Here
This scholarship is reserved for one undergraduate BIPOC female seeking a STEM education. Applicants must be attending one of the following universities to qualify:
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Texas at Dallas
- University of North Texas
- Texas Women’s University
- The University of Texas at Arlington
- Texas A&M University – College Station
First Generation African American Scholarships
13. FEA (Fund for Education Abroad) Scholarships
Deadline: Varies
Award Amount: Up to $5,000
Apply Here
The FEA instituted this scholarship program to increase the number of underrepresented students (especially African American students) studying abroad. The program distributes various scholarships among eligible first-generation students who desire to study abroad.
14. Bay Area Minority Law Student Scholarship
Deadline: To Be Announced
Award Amount: $10,000 per year (Renewable annually)
Apply Here
The Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco offers a scholarship to first-generation minority students pursuing a degree in legal studies. The scholarship has a three-year commitment and can be renewed each year.
The following institutions are participating in the program:
- Golden Gate University School of Law
- University of California – Berkeley School of Law
- University of San Francisco School of Law
- Stanford Law School
- Santa Clara University School of Law
- University of California – Hastings College of the Law
15. Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program
Deadline: March 14, 2024
Award Amount: Varies
Apply Here
This scholarship program primarily aims to support passionate first-generation high school seniors belonging to underrepresented groups who require financial assistance. It seeks to sponsor and guide students with the determination for success, despite their struggles and lack of resources.
Selected students may use their award at any accredited four-year college, so long as they intend to study one of the following: Math, Transportation Management, Science, Architecture, Pre-Med, Psychology, Environmental Design, Spanish Language or Literature, or Engineering.
STEM Scholarships for African American Students
16. Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) Scholarships
Deadline: March 13, 2024
Award Amount: 5 $20,000 awards distributed over four years (or $5,000/year). 45 one-time awards of $2,5000
Apply Here
The Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship was created to enable and empower African American students seeking an education and future career in technology. The fund awards four students $20,000 each, distributed as a $5,000 grant per year over four years. It also offers 45 students a one-off award of $2,500 each.
17. AMS Minority Scholarships
Award Amount: $3,000 per year (for two years)
Apply Here
The American Meteorological Society’s (AMS) Annual Giving program provides scholarships to underrepresented students pursuing a science education. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
18. DFBSST Science and Technology Scholarships
Award Amount: Up to $3,000, renewable annually for up to four years
The DFBSST offers a scholarship to African American students enrolled in an HBCU’s science or technology undergraduate programs. The scholarship is based on various criteria, including academic performance and financial need.
Applications must be obtained at one of the schools listed here. Current recipients may apply for funding renewal each year. However, they must maintain a 3.0 GPA in their major and be enrolled in a full-time science or engineering degree.
Application Requirements and Eligibility Criteria for Black Scholarships
Most scholarship applications require the following:
- Your resume
- An essay on a given topic
- Two or more letters of recommendation
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of financial need (e.g., FAFSA application)
However, each scholarship has its own unique requirements. Always check the scholarship website or contact the selection committee for detailed information and conditions.
Common eligibility requirements include:
- Status as a US citizen or permanent resident.
- Enrollment in an accredited university.
- Minimum GPA
Some scholarships also require enrollment in an HBCU. Other scholarships are only open to certain demographics within the Black community, such as female students or those undertaking studies in specific areas (e.g., STEM).
Tips for Successful Scholarship Applications
Scholarships for African American students can be highly competitive. Putting your best foot forward in your application is vital to ensure success. These handy tips are useful whether you are applying for a scholarship or a fully-funded PhD Program!
- Start early. Some scholarships cap the number of applications and may stop accepting them once they reach a certain quota.
- Submit the FAFSA form. Most needs-based scholarships require this to evaluate your financial status.
- Prepare your College Scholarship Profile (CSS) form. Because it collects more information than the FAFSA, some scholarships assess your financial need based on CSS.
- Look for HBCUs when searching for scholarships. Historically Black Colleges & Universities were once the only institutions that admitted Black students. Many still offer scholarships and financial aid options for African American students.
- Consult the experts. Check with your guidance counselor for useful information on relevant scholarships.
- Get organized. Compile a spreadsheet with each potential scholarship’s details. Organize separate folders with documents for each. Sort the list by cutoff dates to avoid missing deadlines.
- Apply early. Prioritize applications with the earliest deadlines and submit all your applications as soon as possible.
- Focus on your essay. Pay attention to word counts and other requirements. Compose a unique, authentic, and compelling essay to capture the selection committee’s attention.
- Tailor each essay to the scholarship. Don’t use the same essay for different scholarships – even if the prompts are the same. Make sure each one is tailored to suit that specific scholarship.
- Proofread your application thoroughly. Even small punctuation mistakes or silly spelling errors can make a huge difference.
When to Start Applying for African American Scholarships
Many scholarships for African Americans have application deadlines somewhere between January and May. However, many programs have rolling or varying deadlines, allowing you to submit your application throughout the year. It’s also worth noting that some programs require current college enrollment before you can apply.
Check all the deadlines and requirements before applying for an African American scholarship. Above all, always submit your applications as early as possible!
Related Reading: The Best MBA Scholarships
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Qualify for Scholarships for Black Students If I Am Multiracial?
Many minority scholarships are specifically scholarships for Black people. That said, many Black people scholarships will consider multiracial applicants unless they specify otherwise. It’s best to check the organization’s eligibility requirements to ensure you qualify to apply for the award.
What Percentage of Black Students Go to College?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the 2021 college enrollment rate among Black 18-24 year-olds was 37%. However, only 22.6% graduated with a bachelor’s degree.
Conclusion
You can choose from a wide range of scholarships for Black students. Many are merit-based, but there are also plenty based on financial need. However, some have limited availability – and most have strict eligibility criteria. We recommend planning thoroughly, applying early, and crafting a spectacular personal essay to help you stand out!
Need a little help navigating the world of financial aid? Read our comprehensive Graduate School Scholarships Guide.
Chriselle has been a passionate professional content writer for over 10 years. She writes educational content for The Grad Cafe, Productivity Spot, The College Monk, and other digital publications. When she isn't busy writing, she spends her time streaming video games and learning new skills.
