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.
$2,000
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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$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This award is for U.S. minority undergraduate students who are enrolled in an entry-level radiography, sonography, magnetic resonance, radiation therapy, or nuclear medicine program. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher; the student's program director must verify the grade point average based on one or more semesters of study.
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$4,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jan 31
Deadline
This scholarship is available for African-American and Hispanic high school seniors residing in Hillsborough County, Florida. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, and must enroll at Hillsborough Community College.
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$20,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Feb 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for women and minority students who are pursuing a graduate degree in microelectronics research.
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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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$10,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 1
Deadline
The Era L. and Francis L. Walker Scholarship is a named scholarship from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois that aims to help African American males who are graduating high school seniors from a Rockford Public School to pursue higher education.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 11
Deadline
This scholarship is part of the Mechanism Ventures Impact Grants Series. It provides a $1,000 grant to a female Black entrepreneur at any education level who is or wants to launch a new business.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 14
Deadline
This award is available to African American seniors planning to graduate in 2014 from a Butler or Warren County, Ohio, high school. Selection is based on both academic and non-academic achievements as well as financial need.
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$2,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate students who will be juniors or seniors in the upcoming fall semester and are currently enrolled in a hospitality management program are eligible for this award. Students must be a minority (African-American, Hispanic, Native American/Alaskan, or Asian/Pacific Islander).
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$3,345
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for minority students who are attending Minot State University in Minot, North Dakota. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.25 or higher.
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$2,000
Award Amount
60
Awards
Feb 26
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduates with a GPA of 2.75 or higher who are of either African, Asian/Pacific, Hispanic, or Native American heritage. Majors in public relations, marketing, advertising; or minors in communications with desire to pursue careers in public relations, marketing or advertising are eligible to apply.
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$25,000
Award Amount
5
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are members of an underrepresented ethnic minority group and are enrolled in an accounting-related program are eligible for this award. Students must have an overall and major grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
U.S. and Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are pursuing a graduate degree in library and information science at an ALA-accredited school are eligible for this award. Students must be minorities.
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$9,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students who are planning to attend Colby College. Students must demonstrate scholastic strength and leadership potential and must be African American, Latino/Latina, Asian American, or Native American.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for international and U.S. minority high school seniors who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in journalism.
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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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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is for a U.S. minority high school senior who plans to pursue an engineering degree at a four-year college or university.
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$5,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for African American students residing in Kent County, Michigan. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program and demonstrate unmet financial need.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students residing in Kent County, Michigan. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 and demonstrate unmet financial need. Preference will be given to women of color.
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$10,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Mar 1
Deadline
This award is available for minority students in Michigan who are pursuing a higher education in law. Applicants may be undergraduates studying to become a paralegal or legal secretary, or graduate students at an accredited law school in the United States. Click here to learn more and apply today!
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for African American high school seniors in Baltimore, MD who demonstrate financial need. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher.
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$10,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Baltimore, MD who are attending Wilberforce University - a Christian, historically black college in Ohio. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.75 or higher and a combined math and verbal SAT score of 900 or higher.
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$12,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 8
Deadline
This award is available for African-American MBA students in good academic standing and currently enrolled in an accredited college or 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
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