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Top 119 Scholarships for Black Students in June 2023
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.
Jump ahead to…
- Top scholarships for Black students
- How to win scholarships for Black students
- Tips for African American students applying for scholarships
- Prestigious scholarships for African American students
- What you should know about HBCUs
- Don’t forget financial aid
- Resources for Black students
- Frequently asked questions about scholarships for Black students
- Explore these additional scholarship categories
Top 112 Scholarships for Black Students in June 2023
The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:
- The scholarship requires a fee to apply
- The scholarship provider’s privacy policy allows for the misuse of student data
- The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
- Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
- The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
- The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisements
- The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
- There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
- The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
- There is no available contact information
If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!
* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system.
** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements.
***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.
“Scholar Dollars” Essay Scholarship for Black Students
In offering the “Scholar Dollars” Essay Scholarship for Black Students, we want to help offset the cost of attending college for Black students. Open to high school students in the…
Show MoreMinority Women in STEM Financial Need Scholarship
The Minority Women in STEM Financial Need Scholarship honors the legacy of Dr. Marie M. Daly, a trailblazing African American woman who earned a PhD in chemistry. Her words, "you…
Hester Richardson Powell Memorial Service Scholarship
The Hester Richardson Powell Memorial Service Scholarship celebrates the life of a remarkable woman who overcame adversity to inspire others. Hester's legacy as a devoted mother, educator, and community leader…
Ron Brown Scholarship
Are you a Black or African American U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is currently a high school senior? Furthermore, are you planning on soon attending college and have an…
Show MoreTLF Undergraduate Scholarships
The TLF Undergraduate Scholarships are open to minority students studying advertising, marketing, public relations, or a related field. This scholarship is funded by The LAGRANT Foundation, an organization dedicated to…
Show MoreAmerican Chemical Society (ACS) Scholars Program
Every year, the American Chemical Society Scholars Program awards renewable scholarships to high school seniors and college undergraduates from historically underrepresented groups. Well-informed about the costs of hefty university tuition…
Show More$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship
The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to…
Show More$2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay
Easy scholarship from Nitro College open to all high school, college, community and graduate students.
Niche $15,000 No Essay Scholarship
Open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Scholarships
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity's Education program emphasizes academic achievement as a key ingredient for success. It offers services like scholarships, mentoring, and tutoring to alumni and collegiate members of the…
Show MorePega Scholars Program
The Pega Scholars Program is open to high school/secondary school seniors who graduate this school year or current college undergraduates residing in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Singapore, The Netherlands, the United…
Show MoreBrown Girls Do, Inc. College Scholarship
The Brown Girls Do, Inc. College Scholarship is funded by Brown Girls Do Ballet, an organization dedicated to helping increase the participation of underrepresented populations in ballet programs. This awareness…
Show MoreAudre Lorde Scholarship Award
The Audre Lorde Scholarship Fund is seeking to honor exceptional Black lesbians who are making a difference in their communities. ZAMI NOBLA is committed to supporting and promoting your educational…
Show MoreCay Drachnik Minorities Fund
The Cay Drachnik Minorities Fund is specifically designed to help students purchase books for school. The student application will be completed in alignment with the AATA Code of Ethics, Responsibility…
Show MoreThe Bill H. James Foundation Scholarship for Aspiring African American Engineers
The Bill H. James Foundation Scholarship for Aspiring African American Engineers is funded by The Bill H. James Foundation, an organization that believes that receiving the proper support and guidance…
Show MoreDiversity in Esthetics Scholarship for PCA Partner Schools
The Diversity in Esthetics Scholarship for PCA Partner Schools is funded by Beauty Changes Lives, an organization focused on empowering the next generation of beauty professionals through scholarships, mentorship, and…
Show MoreDermalogica New Beginnings Esthetics Scholarship
The Dermalogica New Beginnings Esthetics Scholarship is funded by Beauty Changes Lives, an organization focused on empowering the next generation of beauty professionals through scholarships, mentorship, and advanced education to…
Show MoreMinority Scholarship Awards for Incoming College Freshmen
The AIChE Minority Scholarship Award is presented to selected incoming college freshmen annually. Applicants shall be required to be high school graduates during the current academic year and be members…
Show MoreActuarial Scholarship for Minority Students
The Actuarial Scholarship for Minority Students is offered by Mutual of Omaha, an insurance company dedicated to helping their customers protect what they care about and achieve their financial goals.…
Show MoreDel Jones Memorial Travel Award
The Del Jones Memorial Travel Award was established to honor Del Jones, a distinguished member of SfAA (Society for Applied Anthropology) and an African American anthropologist who developed perspectives that…
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How to win scholarships for Black students
As with any scholarship opportunity, scholarships for Black students are highly competitive, and in order to achieve success, you’ll need to craft an application that stands out from the crowd. One great way to write a strong application is to spend some time reflecting before you start your essays.
Because these applications are offered specifically to Black students, they will often ask questions relating to your heritage and its importance in your life. Before answering these questions, try to reflect on what your Black background means to you, and talk to family members or friends to get some ideas for your application. You can jot down some informal notes about your findings, and come back to this document as you fill out your applications.
How to write a great essay
Once you have an idea of what you want to say in your essays, it’s time to make sure you say it in the most compelling way possible. Try to be succinct, charismatic, and insightful in your responses. Oftentimes, getting someone to proofread your essays can help you gain some perspective.
We have a host of resources to help you fine-tune your applications, including guides on writing 250 word or 500 word essays, writing about yourself, and answering some of the most common scholarship essay prompts. You can also check out our guides for starting and ending your essays, as well as a guide on how to write a winning scholarship essay.
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.
Prestigious scholarships for Black and African American students
These scholarships are some of our top picks, as they come with high awards, can be used at any accredited college, and are very prestigious to receive.
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
Black high school seniors can apply to this program to earn $35,000 over their four years of college. They also receive invitations and funding to attend annual leadership conferences in New York to help support them through their college journey and beyond. In order to qualify, you’ll have to be a member of a minority group, demonstrate financial need, and demonstrate civic engagement through volunteer work, leadership roles, or other similar achievements.
Ron Brown Scholar Program
Black high school seniors who show interest in business and public service and who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds can qualify for this scholarship. The program offers up to $40,000 over a student’s four years of college. Community service, academic achievement, and financial need are all weighed heavily in this scholarship.
Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship
Students who are of African descent and who are planning to major in engineering, computer science, computer information system, or business programs such as finance and business administration, are eligible. Students apply in their senior year of high school. The scholarship can provide up to $20,000 over four years of college. You’ll need to submit letters of recommendation for this one, so if you are planning to apply, make sure to request them earlier rather than later.
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.
Don’t forget financial aid
While scholarships are a great way to pay for your education, it’s important not to forget financial aid as you move through the application process. Be sure to fill out the FAFSA to discover your eligibility for federal funding such as the Pell Grant, Stafford Loans, and state grants, as well as institutional aid. If your school requires the CSS Profile, make sure to fill that out too. And be sure to check in with your local community to see if there are any grants available for students.
Resources for Black students
If you have a good idea of the type of work you want to get into, it’s a good idea to seek out some Black professional organizations in your field. These organizations often offer their own scholarships, and they also host events that unite professionals in the field. From these events, you may gain additional guidance on your career trajectory, or even land a job or internship.
Professional organizations can vary widely in scope and focus. Some may be regional organizations, whereas others will be national. For example, the National Association of Black Accountants boasts of over 200,000 members nationwide, and could be a great resource for Black students interested in accounting.
And they are far from the only ones – whether you plan to be a physicist, cardiologist, a psychologist, or a host of other professions, there is an organization out there for you! Even students who are not set on a career path may benefit from joining or investigating these organizations. The firsthand experience with professionals in the field can help you decide whether it is a good fit for you or not.
Black Student Unions
Most colleges around the country have Black Student Unions, which unify Black students on campus. If you are considering attending a school, you may find it beneficial to reach out to their Black Student Union. They may be able to steer you in the direction of school-specific scholarships and other resources. They can also offer insight about the experience of being a Black student on that school’s campus.
Additional organizations to check out
- Black Career Network – a great resource for landing a job after graduation or an internship while you’re still in school
- United Negro College Fund (UNCF) – an organization that offers a wide array of dependable and lucrative scholarships for Black and African American students
- HBCU Network – a catch-all hub of resources for students attending an HBCU or considering attending one
- I’m First – if you are a first-generation college student, this is a great hub of resources to answer questions you may not even know you had. This can make your application process and your first semesters in school much easier and more successful
