Scholarships for Minority Students

A multi-ethnic group of college age students are working on a group assignment in a classroom on campus. They are using a computer to do research online.
A multi-ethnic group of college age students are working on a group assignment in a classroom on campus. They are using a computer to do research online.

Introduction: Scholarships for Minority Students

If there's one thing I've learned since getting involved in the scholarship space, it's that scholarships come in all shapes and sizes.

By this, I mean that not only do scholarships range in terms of amount and competitiveness, but they also cater to specific groups of students, including minorities.

If you're a high school, college, or graduate school student, and you fall into any type of ethnic, gender, or disability-related minority group, you'll be glad to know that there are in fact scholarships that are out there just for you!

So, in this post, I outline over 20 scholarships for minorities. Have a scroll through to check out some of these awesome opportunities!

The List: Scholarships for Minorities

  • Amount: $15,000

    Deadline: January 4

    Details: Open to all first-year law students of diverse backgrounds who 1) are committed to civic involvement that promotes diversity and will continue that commitment upon entering the legal profession; and 2) are committed to practicing in the location in which they are applying.

  • Amount: $30,000

    Deadline: January 12

    Details: Open to graduating minority high school seniors with financial need who are planning to attend four-year colleges and universities. Must be a US citizen to apply.

  • Amount: $5,000

    Deadline: February 1

    Details: Open to minority students in their final two years of undergraduate study or pursuing a graduate degree in landscape architecture.

  • Amount: $10,000

    Deadline: February 16

    Details:This scholarship is open to students entering an HBCU and working towards a bachelor’s degree. Applicants will have to provide proof of acceptance into a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to qualify. Acceptance letters can be submitted through 4/11. All other application materials must be submitted by 2/16.

  • Amount: $10,000

    Deadline: February 4

    Details: Open college graduates who will be entering into the first year of their initial postgraduate studies in sports administration or a related program. Minimum 3.2 GPA. Must be enrolled in an NCAA member institution.

  • Amount: $3,000

    Deadline: Mid-February

    Details: Open to junior and senior undergraduate students majoring in hospitality management or a related degree.

  • Amount: $1,000 - $5,000

    Deadline: March 1

    Details: Candidates for the law school scholarship must be accepted to or attending a Michigan law school or be a Michigan resident attending an accredited law school in the United States. Candidates for the paralegal and secretarial scholarships must be a Michigan resident majoring in paralegal or legal secretarial studies in an accredited program.

  • Amount: $2,500

    Deadline: March 1

    Details: Open to high school seniors of ethnic minorities who have been accepted into an ABET-accredited engineering program at a four-year college or university. Must be a US citizen.

  • Amount: N/A

    Deadline: March 12

    Details: For women and minority students pursuing degrees in video game arts at four-year colleges/universities. Must show dedication to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Minimum 2.75 GPA.

  • Amount: up to $7,000

    Deadline: March 17

    Details: Open to students studying accounting at a Pennsylvania college or university. Minimum 3.0 GPA.

  • Amount: $1,000

    Deadline: March 31

    Details: Open to continuing or returning African American women pursuing undergraduate degrees.

  • Amount: $5,000

    Deadline: Varies (April 15, October 1)

    Details: Open to students studying abroad on any program offered by a DiversityAbroad.com member organization. Minimum 3.5 GPA.

  • Amount: Varies

    Deadline: April 15

    Details: Open to high school students planning to obtain a degree in the medical or rehabilitation field. Must be a resident of (or attending school in) Minnesota or Western Wisconsin.

  • Amount: $1,500

    Deadline: May 15

    Details: Open to undergraduate students from groups who are underrepresented in the geosciences. Qualified applicants must be U.S. Citizens studying at an accredited university or college in one of GSA’s regional sections (including Canada and Mexico).

  • Amount: $1,000

    Deadline: May 17

    Details: Strong preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the importance of diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences in newsrooms. You are eligible for these scholarships if you are EITHER:

    -On the path to graduating from or have graduated from a Washington state high school
    OR

    -Attending a public or private college in Washington state

  • Amount: $1,500

    Deadline: May 31

    Details: Open to Asian American college seniors and college students (of all majors) who have exhibited exemplary leadership, vision, and passion that is blazing a trail for others to follow and changing lives in the Asian American community. 

    -Must be a US citizen

    -Minimum 3.5 GPA

  • Amount: $1,000

    Deadline: Varies (June 30, December 31)

    Details: This is one of my own no-essay scholarship opportunities, open to high school students of all years! As with all of my scholarships, I highly encourage minority students to apply. 

  • Amount: $1,000

    Deadline: July 3

    Details: Open to Illinois high school seniors planning to attend four-year colleges and universities. Minimum 3.0 GPA.

  • Amount: $5,000

    Deadline: August 15

    Details: Open to minority students majoring in civil, chemical, mechanical, electrical or environmental engineering or one of the environmental sciences (e.g. geology, hydrogeology, ecology).

  • Amount: $500 - $1,000

    Deadline: September 1

    Details: Open to all high school and college students in the US, including DACA recipients. Students who identify as part of a minority or who are/will be first-generation college students are encouraged to apply.

  • Amount: Full-tuition

    Deadline: September 15

    Details: Open to high school seniors from low-income households who are planning on enrolling in a four-year college or university in the US. Minimum 3.3 GPA.

  • Amount: $1,000

    Deadline: October 31

    Details: Open to minority high school seniors, college students, and graduate students who are currently or who will be studying law.

  • Amount: $750 

    Deadline: November 15

    Details: Open to young women or gender non-conforming undergraduate students attending college in the US.

  • Amount: $4,000

    Deadline: November 15

    Details: Open to minority graduate students enrolled in accredited masters or doctoral programs.

  • Amount: $4,000 per year

    Deadline: Varies 

    Details: Open to Florida residents in a teacher education program at any of FFMT's participating universities/colleges. Must be a junior or senior in college, or a graduate school student.

  • Amount: Varies

    Deadline: Varies

    Details: Open to minority undergraduate students pursuing degrees in STEM - specifically engineering or computer science.

Additional reading and resources for scholarships for minority students

In addition to all of the scholarships for minorities that exist, there are also tons and tons of great free resources out there for minority students.

Some are college admissions-related, while others are paying for college or career-focused. If you're looking for additional reading, check these out first!

  • Young Invincibles - promotes the well-being of young people. Higher education is one of its specific focuses, and they also have some great Adulting resources!
  • NAACP Job Finder - connects diverse students with job opportunities
  • INROADS - provides educational and career-related support to college students. 80% of the organization's members are first-gen.
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