By Will Geiger

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.

Updated: October 19th, 2021

Historically, access higher education has not always been equal. Many groups, including African American and Black students, have been left out of educational opportunities.

Because of this, many colleges and scholarships aim to support African American students as they pay for college. These scholarships include specific scholarships for African American women, full ride scholarships, and scholarships generally for students from minority backgrounds.

This post will cover everything including:

• Top African American Scholarships in 2021
• Scholarships for Black Women
• Tips for African American Students
• Summary of African American Scholarships
• Upcoming Scholarships

Jump ahead or keep on reading to learn more about these top scholarships for black students!

Top African American scholarships for 2021:

College Board “Complete Your FAFSA” Scholarships

• Eligibility: High school seniors
• Amount: 500 awards worth $500 
• Deadline: October 31, 2021

$10,527 Social Change Fund United Scholarship

• Eligibility: Black students who are currently studying or plan to study in the mental health care field
• Amount: $10,527
• Deadline: November 1, 2021

APF Queen-Nellie Evans Scholarship

• Eligibility: Minority graduate students committed to improving marginalized communities
• Amount: $4,000
• Deadline: November 15, 2021

Markforged Distinguished Black Engineers Grant

• Eligibility: African-American student studying any engineering field at a top-tier technical undergraduate or graduate university program 
• Amount: $2,500
• Deadline: November 18, 2021

Ron Brown Scholars Program

• Eligibility: African American students with demonstrated financial aid who are high school seniors.
• Amount: up to $10,000 per year
• Deadline: January 9, 2021 

EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship Program

• Eligibility:Rising junior undergraduate students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
• Amount: $45,000
• Deadline: January 31, 2022

Scholarships for Black women

When we find scholarships specifically for Black women, we will share below. If you are looking for other scholarships for women, we’ve got you covered with our top scholarships for women list that’s updated each month!

Tips for African American students applying for scholarships

• Consider Historically Black Colleges and Universities (also known as HBCUs) in your colleges search! HBCUs include top schools like Howard, Spelman, and Morehouse have historically served African American students and have many merit scholarships for black women and men.
• In addition to merit scholarships, you should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA) to qualify for need-based financial aid.

Summary of scholarships for Black students

1. College Board Opportunity Scholarships
2. $10,5 S27 Social Change Fund United Scholarship
3. APF Queen-Nellie Evans Scholarship
4. Markforged Distinguished Black Engineers Grant
5. Ron Brown Scholars Program
6. EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship Program

Upcoming scholarships for Black students

Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships

• Eligibility: High school seniors who identify as African American
• Amount: $20,000

Center for Advancing Opportunity Undergraduate Research Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to students who will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU)
• Amount: up to $7,500

Future Leaders in Technology Scholarship – College Award

• Eligibility: Undergraduate college and university students pursuing a degree in computer science, electrical engineering or data science. Applicants must also be a member of an underrepresented group, including: Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, American Indian or Native American, LGBTQA+, and Women
• Amount: $2,500

Future Leaders in Technology Scholarship – High School Award

• Eligibility: High school students who plan to pursue a degree in computer science, electrical engineering or data science. You must also be a member of an underrepresented group, including: Black or African American, Hispanic or Latinx, American Indian or Native American, LGBTQA+, and Women
• Amount: $1,000

Gates Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors of African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American who are Pell-eligible
• Amount: Full funding for all college costs not covered by FA and family contribution

Generation Google Scholarship 

• Eligibility: Open to all high school seniors and college students who excel in technology. Historically underrepresented  groups, such as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, American Indian, or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students are especially encouraged to apply
• Amount: $5,000 to $10,000
• Opens: Fall 2022

Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to high school seniors from minority backgrounds.
• Amount: up to $30,000 over 4 years
• Deadline: Opens November 1, 2021

KnowBe4 Scholarship for Black Americans in Cybersecurity

• Eligibility: African American or Black students who will be an undergraduate or graduate student in 2021 pursuing a degree in cybersecurity or a related field.
• Amount: Up to $10,000
• Opens: February 1, 2022

Men of Courage Barbershop Challenge

• Eligibility: African American men over the age of 18
• Amount: $10,000 for first place and $5,000 for runner-up

National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club Scholarships

• Eligibility:  There are a variety of scholarships available for college bound high school seniors, women over age 35, and single women
• Amount: Varies
• Opens: January 15, 2022

Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarships

• Eligibility: Incoming/full-time college students at one of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s (TMCF) 47 publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities
• Amount: Up to $10,000

TMCF | McDonald’s Black and Positively Golden Scholarship

• Eligibility: Enrolled full-time as a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior at Thurgood Marshall College Fund Member-Schools during the 2021-2022 academic school year.
• Amount: $15,000

UNCF General Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students attending a UNCF member college
• Amount: $5,000