There are tons of great organizations that award scholarships for black and African American students. These scholarships can help fund various aspects of your education, ranging from tuition to textbook expenses to other miscellaneous fees.
The goal of these scholarships is to give students like you the opportunity to earn money to put toward your education so you can stress less, learn more, and enjoy the college experience for everything that it has to offer.
Below, I have outlined over 20 great scholarships for black and African American students, which range in award amount, competitiveness, and area of study/interest.
Plus, if you’re enrolled in or planning on attending one of the 107 HBCU’s located in the United States, make sure to check out your university’s scholarship website for more school-specific opportunities to take advantage of.
Amount: $10,000 per year
Deadline: January 8
Specific eligibility requirements: The scholarship is open to Black/African American high school seniors pursuing STEM degrees. Minimum 3.5 GPA. Must be planning a career in cybersecurity/information security.
Amount: $10,000 per year
Deadline: January 9
Specific eligibility requirements: The scholarship is open to students pursuing any and all academic disciplines. Must be a current high school senior to apply.
Amount: up to $30,000
Deadline: January 12
Specific eligibility requirements: Open to high school seniors with financial need.
Amount: up to $6,000
Deadline: February 11
Specific eligibility requirements: Open to minority students interested in becoming educators, school nurses, school counselors, or school therapists.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: March
Specific eligibility requirements: Open to male high school seniors graduating from schools in Dallas county.
See The Dallas Foundation website for more scholarships.
Amount: $50,000
Deadline: March 15
Specific eligibility requirements: Open to African American students who have been Colorado residents for 5+ years. Minimum 3.0 GPA.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 21
Specific eligibility requirements: Open to minority graduating high school seniors intending on pursuing degrees in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) or business.
Amount: up to $20,000
Deadline: March 31
Specific eligibility requirements: Open to Black and African American high school seniors with financial need planning to attend 4-year institutions to major in a technology-related field. Min 3.3 GPA.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: March 31
Specific eligibility requirements: Open to female Black and African American graduate students who played a sport during their undergrad years.
Amount: $10,000 (with possibility for renewal up to three years!)
Deadline: March 31
Specific eligibility requirements: Open to Black high school seniors in the US and Canada who plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two-year, four-year college or university or CEGEP institution. Eligible majors include but are not limited to: Architecture, Architectural technician/technology, Graphic design, Industrial design, Industrial engineering, Industrial production technology, Interior design.
Amount: up to $3,000
Deadline: March 31
Specific eligibility requirements: Open to graduating high school seniors of Springfield MA public schools.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Open to black female high school seniors.
Amount: N/A
Deadline: April 15
Specific eligibility requirements: Open to education majors. Minimum 3.0 GPA.
PS - NANBPWC offers several scholarships for black women pursuing various degrees in different areas of study. Click here to check out some of their other opportunities!
Amount: $1,000 - $5,000
Deadline: April 15
Specific eligibility requirements: Scholarships open to black nursing students & members of NBNA. Scholarship opportunities are open to bachelor’s students and higher. Examples of scholarships include the NBNA Board of Directors Scholarship and the Lola Denise Jefferson Scholarship.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 16
Specific eligibility requirements: Open to high school seniors in Philadelphia county. Financial need will be considered, but is not required.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Open to black undergraduate and graduate school students pursuing degrees in cybersecurity and/or information assurance.
Amount: $500
Deadline: May 1
Specific eligibility requirements: Open to Black and African American students who are US residents and high school seniors or current college students.
Amount: Varies ($2,500 - $20,000)
Deadline: Early May
Specific eligibility requirements: Open to students pursuing an associate, undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required. Must exhibit leadership skills and participate in community service.
CBC awards over 300 scholarships each year - click here for the full list!
Amount: $500
Deadline: May 15
Specific eligibility requirements: Open women of color pursuing graduate degrees.
Amount: up to $3,500
Deadline: July 15
Specific eligibility requirements: Open to students ages 17-21.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: November 15
Specific eligibility requirements: Open to Black non-cis-male creatives currently enrolled in college who are interested in pursuing a career as an art director, copywriter, UX designer, or strategist.
Must be a currently enrolled student at a college in the United States and have completed at least the sophomore year of undergraduate studies or the first year of portfolio or graduate school.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Specific eligibility requirements: The GR Foundation offers over 70 need-based scholarships to Michigan residents. By filling out the general application, students are considered for all scholarships which they are eligible for. Examples of scholarships for black and African American students include the Black Men Building Resources Scholarship and the Arts Council Minority Scholarship.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Specific eligibility requirements: TMCF offers dozens of scholarships to students pursuing various degrees attending HBCU’s and PBI’s.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Specific eligibility requirements: NBMBAA offers undergraduate and graduate scholarship opportunities for black business students.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Specific eligibility requirements: UNCF offers dozens of scholarships each year for African American students. Each scholarship has its own award amount, due date, and eligibility requirements, however, for most scholarships, it is recommended that students complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) before applying.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Not set
Specific eligibility requirements: ELC offers 16 undergraduate scholarships to Black students attending four-year colleges and universities. Some scholarships are specific to HBCU students or to those pursuing specific majors while others are more general.
Amount: $10,000
Deadline: Not set
Specific eligibility requirements: Open to women attending four-year colleges/universities pursuing degrees in Communications, Marketing, Finance, or Science. Minimum 2.7 GPA.
PS - The NAACP offers many scholarships - others include the Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship and the Hubertus W.V. Willems Scholarship for Male Students.