Scholarships for Black women help aspiring students pay for college. Black women may be eligible for awards related to STEM, nursing, business, and more. Many scholarship funds exist to help Black female college students achieve their dreams of pursuing a college degree. These awards may come from four year colleges and HBCUs. Companies, and nonprofits also offer them. There are a range of national black organizations that offer financial assistance too. Many providers also have awards based on financial need, community service and a good GPA.
Need based awards go to middle and low income students. In comparison, merit scholarships are for students who show academic excellence. You typically need a great grade point average and strong SAT/ACT test scores. Many providers also value academic achievement. They may also look at your school awards, courses, and leadership skills. These show dedication and may catch the eye of the scholarship committee.
Eligibility may also depend on other factors:
Being a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
Full time enrollment with a postsecondary program
Degree level like bachelor’s degree or graduate students pursuing a master’s or PhD
Must be majoring in specific studies or related fields
10 Scholarships for Black Women You Should Apply for in 2024
We’ve curated a list of 10 scholarship awards for Black female students. Make sure to apply before the deadline.
NAACP’s Agnes Jones Scholarship
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
Blacks for Microsoft Scholarship
The ESPN Scholarship
NDAF / Dr. Bessie Delaney Scholarship
Women Techmakers Scholars Program
James W. Stoudt Memorial Law School Scholarship
NACME Collegiate Scholarship
Honeywell International Scholarship for Undergraduate Students
NABA National Scholarship Program
Why Are College Scholarships for Black Women Important?
Scholarships for black women could help make college more affordable. The cost of tuition is on the rise. Since it’s not a student loan, you typically do not have to repay a scholarship. Black female students may use the money to help pay for tuition, fees, housing and other costs. Besides making college more affordable, eligible students may have other perks. Networking events could also grow a professional identity and leadership skills.
There is also the chance to learn from mentors and unite to achieve mutual goals. One example is the Ron Brown Scholars program. It offers mentoring and peer role models. It also aims to guide gifted black students through the college journey.
Are More Black Females Earning a College Degree?
The number of female Black students attending college is on the rise, according to the NCES. They also say college enrollment for Black women was 8% higher than black men. The benefits of earning a college degree may help with job prospects and earnings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 169 occupations require a bachelor’s degree for various occupations. Median weekly earnings are also higher at $1,248 for college students with a bachelor’s. Compared to students with a high school diploma at $746.
Black Women Organizations That Offer Scholarships
Many national organizations in the United States offer scholarships to students of color. NANBPWC, Inc is a Washington D.C. based nonprofit that offers a few annual scholarships. For instance, a recent award is the Dr. Blanca Moore Velez Woman of Substance Scholarship. It is for females, age 35 or older. You must be an undergraduate student. You must also have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
NCBW is a nonprofit women’s organization that supports the black community. Also, they promote gender equity across health and education. The QCMC scholarship is a merit and need based award. There are two recipients who receive $1,000 each.
Here are a few organizations that support the higher education needs of Black female students.
United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW)
Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF)
National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc (NANBPWC)
National Council of Negro Women Inc (NCNW)
5 Tips to Help You Win a Scholarship
Eligible students may need to make their application and essays stand out. Use these 5 tips to set yourself up for success in order to win a scholarship for black women.
1. Consider Historically Black Colleges and Universities
HBCUs were set up to help Black college students earn a college education. These schools tend to offer awards to high school students. If you are an admitted college freshman, schools may also consider you for merit scholarships. HBCUs like Spelman College offer merit scholarships to Black women.
2. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The FAFSA is on the Department of Education website. Accredited colleges, state and federal governments use this information to award financial aid. Afterwards, your college may offer a financial aid package. You may receive work study, the Pell Grant as well as federal student loans.
3. Apply for minority scholarship awards
These awards are for minority students who identify as Hispanic, Asian, Black, and others. If you have to write why you deserve the award, be clear, follow the word count and stay on topic.
4. Find specific scholarships related to your goals, major and interests
Are you a female engineer student? Are you a computer science major or member of a Church or community group? Many professional organizations and nonprofits offer financial support. There are scholarships for black women in STEM. For example, Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships is for eligible Black high school seniors. It awards three $5,000 scholarships. You must also plan to pursue careers in technology.
5. Stay Organized and Submit by Deadline
Your scholarship search may expand as you find various possibilities. Keep track of the organization, name of scholarship as well as amount, due date and required materials. Maintain a calendar with application deadlines. Create a spreadsheet with all of the scholarships you plan to or have applied to.
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.
The Center for Cyber Safety and Education offers the KnowBe4 Scholarship for Black Americans in Cybersecurity to a male or female pursuing, or planning to pursue, a degree with a focus on cybersecurity or information assurance.
The Carter Family is awarding $10,000 in college scholarships. Two (2) recipients will receive $5,000 each. This scholarship is open to current high school and college students.
The Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) at Colorado State university offers a $10,000 scholarship for students attending historically black colleges and universities (HBCU’s) or Predominately Black Institutions to participate in spring or fall Semester at Sea voyages.
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Queen City Metropolitan Chapter offers two non renewable merit/need Based scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each. Click to learn more and apply today!
The Black Marketing Leaders Grant will be awarded to a Black student or recent graduate who plans on (or already is) pursuing a career in marketing at a start-up and shows impact and drive.
The Ron Brown scholars program honors students making impacts on their communities. African-American incoming college freshmen are eligible for this award. Applicants should demonstrate academic achievement, leadership ability, participate in community service activities and demonstrate financial need.
The CVS Health Minority Scholarship for Pharmacy Students awards $35,000 in scholarships. Five outstanding underrepresented minority students enrolled in a PharmD each receive a $7,000 scholarship.
Walgreens Diversity Scholarship is a $3,000 merit award which may be given to one or more students (scholarship committee will decide based on the submissions) at partner colleges.
The Western History Association offers a graduate student award of $500 for an MA or PhD minority student who is doing research on the North American West.
