In a nation that has seen unequal access to education throughout its history, HBCUs have helped to break down barriers and provide supportive and financially viable options for Black students. According to a Gallup poll, 40% of HBCU graduates reported a sense of financial security throughout college, versus 29% of Black students across all schools. We are hoping to raise that 40% statistic with this list of the top scholarships at HBCUs.

Jump ahead to:

• Top scholarships at HBCUs
• Resources for students seeking scholarships at HBCUs
• Summary of scholarships at HBCUs
• Scholarships at HBCUs that are closed, but will open soon

See also: Top scholarships for Black students

Top scholarships at HBCUs

Check out these scholarships for current or incoming HBCU students, including some opportunities for students who are looking to study abroad!

Resilience Through Diversity Scholarship

• Eligibility: Third-year Black students at HBCUs who demonstrate interest in a resilience-related career field
• Amount: $5,000 and a $5,000 internship stipend
• Deadline: March 29, 2021

BASF/Alfred Chisholm Memorial Scholarship

• Eligibility: Sophomores and above at HBCUs, especially North Carolina A&T State University and Southern University and A&M College
• Amount: $2,500
• Deadline: March 31, 2021

BRPH Future Achievers Scholarship

• Eligibility: Architecture or engineering majors at Tuskegee University, Kennesaw State University, and Florida A&M University
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: March 31, 2021

Smartwool HBCU Scholarship

• Eligibility: HBCU students in North Carolina or Tennessee with a passion for the outdoors
• Amount: Up to $2,500
• Deadline: April 28, 2021

TCMF & McDonald’s “Black and Positively Golden” Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students at HBCUs who demonstrate leadership
• Amount: $15,000
• Deadline: May 10, 2021

Delta Community Credit Union HBCU Scholarship

• Eligibility: Current or incoming undergraduate students at a HBCU in Georgia
• Amount: $2,500
• Deadline: Awarded quarterly with awards granted in March, June, September, and November

Semester at Sea HBCU Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students attending HBCUs who have been accepted into the Semester at Sea study and sailing program
• Amount: $10,000
• Deadline: Varies; apply after acceptance to program

IES Abroad Tuition and Travel Grant

• Eligibility: HBCU students who are enrolling in an IES study abroad program
• Amount: $2,000
• Deadline: Varies; apply after acceptance to the program

Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarships

• Eligibility: Wide variety of scholarships for students at HBCUs. Consult their list to find the latest scholarships that you are eligible for
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Varies

National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame HBCU COVID-19 Hardship Scholarship

• Eligibility: HBCU students who are experiencing homelessness, lack a dependable food supply, and/or scarcity of overall resources as a direct or indirect result of COVID-19
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Accepted on an ongoing basis during the pandemic

National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame General Scholarship

• Eligibility: African American undergraduate or graduate students, especially those attending HBCUs
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis; reviewed quarterly

National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Chefs of the World Scholarship

• Eligibility: Undergraduate students at HBCUs studying in a culinary program
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis; reviewed quarterly

Resources for students seeking scholarships at HBCUs

FAFSA Guide

On October 1st of every year, the FAFSA opens. Keep in mind that the deadline for each state is different. Prepare and apply well before the recommended deadline, as some states have a “first come, first serve” policy.

List of HBCUs

HBCUs produce about 20% of all African American graduates in the country, and they have played a crucial role in education for Black students since they began to operate in the 1860’s. If you are wondering exactly which colleges are on the HBCU list, check out the “official” list!

Summary of scholarships at HBCUs

1. Resilience Through Diversity Scholarship
2. BASF/Alfred Chisholm Memorial Scholarship
3. BRPH Future Achievers Scholarship
4. Smartwool HBCU Scholarship
5. TCMF & McDonald’s “Black and Positively Golden” Scholarship
6. Delta Community Credit Union HBCU Scholarship
7. Semester at Sea HBCU Scholarship
8. IES Abroad Tuition and Travel Grant
9. Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarships
10. National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame HBCU COVID-19 Hardship Scholarship
11. National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame General Scholarship
12. National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Chefs of the World Scholarship

These scholarships at HBCUs are closed, but will open soon!

Development Fund for Black Students in Science and Technology

• Eligibility: Black students enrolling at one of the listed HBCUs who are studying STEM
• Amount: Up to $3,000 per year
• Deadline: June 15, 2021 (Available April 15 by contacting the science or engineering department of one of the listed schools)

ETS Presidential Scholarship for HBCU Students

• Eligibility: Incoming juniors or seniors at HBCUs
• Amount: Full tuition
• Deadline: Expected to open in January 2022 and close in March 2022

Thurgood Marshall College Fund All-Around Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students attending a TMCF partner HBCU at any grade level
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Projected to be March 2022

AlixPartners/UNCF Scholarship

• Eligibility: Juniors at the listed HBCUs majoring in business, accounting, finance, analytics, and STEM
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Projected to open in January 2022 and close in March 2022

Creme of Nature Scholarship

• Eligibility: Any HBCU student of any grade level
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Projected to open in January 2022 and close in March 2022