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Top 10 Scholarships for Black Students in May 2022
Annie has spent the past 18+ years educating students about college admissions opportunities and coaching them through building a financial aid package. She has worked in college access and college admissions for the Tennessee Higher Education Commission/Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, Middle Tennessee State University, and Austin Peay State University.Historically, access to 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 2022
- Scholarships for Black Women
- Tips for African American Students
- What you should know about HBCUs
- Frequently asked questions about scholarships for Black students
- Upcoming Scholarships
- Related scholarship categories
Jump ahead or keep on reading to learn more about these top scholarships for black students!
Top African American scholarships for 2022:
$2,500 Future Leaders in Technology Scholarship – College Award
- Eligibility: Underrepresented college/university students pursuing a degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or data science
- Amount: $2,5500
- Deadline: June 19, 2022
$1,000 Gladys Ruth Legacy “Service“ Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: African American first generation college students with GPAs of 2.5 or above involved in community service
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: June 5, 2022
$1,000 Black Students in STEM Scholarship Fund
- Eligibility: African American high school seniors with a 2.5 GPA or above planning to study STEM at HBCUs
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: June 30, 2022
$500 Chang Heaton Scholarship for Music Excellence
- Eligibility: First-generation, BIPOC undergraduate or graduate students pursuing theater or music degrees
- Amount: $500 (five $500 scholarships are awarded!)
- Deadline: June 25, 2022
Papa John’s Scholarship
- Eligibility: Black or African-American undergraduate students (except freshmen) majoring in communications, marketing, STEM, or a variety of other fields. Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA
- Amount: $5,000 (24 scholarships are awarded!)
- Deadline: June 8, 2022
UNCF Healthcare Workplace Diversity Program
- Eligibility: African-American students currently enrolled in a certification or a 2-year associates degree in healthcare-related STEM fields
- Amount: $5,000 (200 scholarships are awarded!)
- Deadline: July 6, 2022
Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Rising seniors with documented financial need who attend an accredited HBCU with a minimum GPA of 3.5
- Amount: $10,000 (2 scholarships are awarded!)
- Deadline: November 18, 2022
APF Queen-Nellie Evans Scholarship
- Eligibility: Minority graduate students committed to improving marginalized communities
- Amount: $4,000
- Deadline: January 21, 2023
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
- Deadline: Varies from January – February / Spring Scholarships: August – October
NAACP Scholarships
- Eligibility: African American/person of color high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate students with a 3.0 or above GPA. Must be a member of the NAACP
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies
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.
- Check out our scholarship search tool to stay up-to-date on current scholarship opportunities custom-matched to your demographics, interests, and major.
- Make sure to put a lot of work into your scholarship essays. This includes working on writing about yourself, and learning to write for word limits. Some common word limits for scholarship essays are 250 and 500 words.
- Talk to the guidance counselor at your high school to see if there are any local scholarships you can apply for.
What you should know about HBCUs
HBCUs have historically been extremely important in the education of Black students. For many years, they were the only universities that admitted Black students. Fortunately, this is no longer true. However, they continue to provide unique benefits for Black students across the country. Here is a list of some of the highest-rated HBCUs:
| School | Location | Enrollment | Tuition | Acceptance Rate |
| Spelman College | Atlanta, GA | 2,120 | $29,972 | 43.4% |
| Howard University | Washington, DC | 6,526 | $28,440 | 36.1% |
| Xavier University of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | 2,530 | $25,947 | 60% |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 2,394 | $22,679 | 51.7% |
| Hampton University | Hampton, VA | 3,714 | $29,287 | 36% |
| Morehouse College | Atlanta, GA | 2,238 | $28,847 | 99.8% |
There are many scholarship opportunities specifically for Black students attending an HBCU. These include the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame General Scholarship. We also have a full list of HBCU scholarships to check out.
Frequently asked questions about scholarships for Black students
Are there scholarships specifically for Black women?
The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs offers several scholarships specifically for Black women. 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!
Do I qualify for scholarships for Black students if I am multiracial?
Yes, you do! Though they may exist, we have never seen a scholarship that requires 100% Black heritage. And you can apply to scholarship opportunities meant for any race or heritage you identify with. So, if you are Black and Hispanic, you can apply to scholarships targeted towards either community.
What are the advantages of HBCUs?
Though every student’s needs are different, HBCUs can be a great option for some Black students. Studies have shown higher levels of engagement and higher graduation rates among Black students at HBCUs. Additionally, they often have more institutional aid set aside for Black students.
Upcoming scholarships for Black students
Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships
- Eligibility: High school seniors who identify as African American
- Amount: $20,000
CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship
- Eligibility: Black students pursuing a degree in visual arts, including degrees such as architecture, interior design, video production, and other decorative arts
- Amount: Varies
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
EPP/MSI Undergraduate Scholarship Program
- Eligibility:Rising junior undergraduate students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Amount: $45,000
- Opens: September 1, 2022
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
- Opens: July 15, 2022
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
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to high school seniors from minority backgrounds.
- Amount: up to $30,000 over 4 years
KnowBe4 Scholarship for Black Americans in Cybersecurity
- Eligibility: African American or Black undergraduate or graduate students pursuing degrees in cybersecurity or a related field
- Amount: Up to $10,000
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
- Opens: July 1, 2022
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
Ron Brown Scholars Program
- Eligibility: African American students with demonstrated financial aid who are high school seniors.
- Amount: up to $10,000 per year
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 2022-2023 academic school year.
- Amount: $15,000
UNCF General Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and graduate students attending a UNCF member college
- Amount: $5,000
- Opens: June 2022
Walt Disney Company UNCF Corporate Scholars Program
- Eligibility: Black college sophomores with a minimum 2.5 GPA, preference given to students at HBCUs
- Amount: $2,500
