Scholarships for Black Students

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$5,000
1 Award Winner

ACS Scholars Program

The American Chemical Society offers the ACS Scholars Program of $5,000 to full-time undergraduate minority students in need pursuing a degree in the chemical sciences.

Eligible Grades
College Freshman – College Junior
Application Open Date
January 1, 2024
Application Deadline
April 30, 2024
Open
$5,000
1 Award Winner
Open
$4,000
2 Award Winners

JCS Beauty Nourish & Shine Cosmetology Student Scholarship

The scholarship is for Black or African-American students in the U.S. who are enrolled in a cosmetology program that leads to licensure in either the U.S. or Canada.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate
Application Open Date
March 1, 2024
Application Deadline
May 31, 2024
Open
$4,000
2 Award Winners
Open
$5,000
1 Award Winner

L’Oréal Professionnel Empowering Diversity Scholarship

Students majoring in cosmetology at an accredited institute are eligible for the $5,000 scholarship from L’Oréal Professionnel.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate
Application Open Date
March 1, 2024
Application Deadline
May 31, 2024
Open
$5,000
1 Award Winner
Open
$5,000
2 Award Winners

Sage Michaela Lucas “Timing is Everything” Scholarship

Students that identify as black indigenous or persons of color and are pursuing a career in aesthetics, skincare formulation, and/or cosmetic chemistry are eligible for a $5,000 award.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior – Graduate
Application Open Date
March 1, 2024
Application Deadline
May 31, 2024
Open
$5,000
2 Award Winners
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner

Diversity in Hospitality Scholarship

The Network of Executive Women in Hospitality, Diversity in Hospitality Scholars Program offers a $5,000- scholarship for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
October 1, 2022
Application Deadline
February 7, 2023
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$10,000
5 Award Winners

Pursuing Academics with Support (PAWS) Scholarship

The Pursuing Academics with Support Scholarship is a $10,000- award offered to Black/African American students who seek to complete their higher education.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
February 7, 2023
Closed
$10,000
5 Award Winners
Closed
$2,500
2 Award Winners

Mary Holloway McCoo, M.D. and Wayman Glen McCoo, Sr. M.D. Scholarship

UNCF offers two scholarships valued at $2,500 per semester to postgraduate and doctoral students studying in the medical field across the United States.

Eligible Grades
Graduate – Doctorate
Application Open Date
January 6, 2023
Application Deadline
February 10, 2023
Closed
$2,500
2 Award Winners
Closed
$25,000
16 Award Winners

FTE Fellowships for Doctoral Students of African Descent

Eligible students of African origin, pursuing a Ph.D. or Th.D. program in theology, theological studies, or biblical studies, can apply for the $25,000 program.

Eligible Grades
Graduate
Application Open Date
September 1, 2022
Application Deadline
February 15, 2023
Closed
$25,000
16 Award Winners
Closed
$3,000–$6,000
3 Award Winners

AMS Minority Scholarships

The grant is divided into two $3,000- stipends for your freshman and sophomore years.

Eligible Grades
High School Graduate
Application Open Date
November 1, 2022
Application Deadline
February 24, 2023
Closed
$3,000–$6,000
3 Award Winners
Closed
$2,000–$10,000
9 Award Winners

NFBPA Scholarship Program

NFBPA offers scholarship awards ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 to minority students in accredited educational institutes preferably Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
November 1, 2022
Application Deadline
February 27, 2023
Closed
$2,000–$10,000
9 Award Winners
Closed
$1,000
1 Award Winner

Dr. Arnita Young Boswell Scholarship

The Dr. Arnita Young-Boswell Scholarship recognizes and celebrates African American students with proven academic distinction, a concern for their community, the Black Family, and a desire to continue their education.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior
Application Open Date
November 13, 2022
Application Deadline
February 28, 2023
Closed
$1,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$3,750
1 Award Winner

LAGRANT Foundation Graduate Scholarships

The $3,750- scholarship is awarded to 40 graduate students who identify as minorities to pursue their studies in PR, marketing, and advertising. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.20.

Eligible Grades
Graduate – Doctorate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
February 28, 2023
Closed
$3,750
1 Award Winner
Closed
$2,500
30 Award Winners

LAGRANT Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships

Thirty (30) ethnic minority undergraduate students will receive $2,500 scholarships and a trip to New York City, New York, for career-building activities as part of the LAGRANT Foundation Scholarship Program.

Eligible Grades
College Freshman – Undergraduate
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
February 28, 2023
Closed
$2,500
30 Award Winners
Closed
$2,500–$5,000
2 Award Winners

Science Application International Corporation Scholarship

The Science Application International Corporation Scholarship worth $5,000 enables college seniors to study software engineering, data science, digital engineering, and cybersecurity at different Thurgood Marshall College Fund member schools.

Eligible Grades
College Senior
Application Open Date
January 17, 2023
Application Deadline
February 28, 2023
Closed
$2,500–$5,000
2 Award Winners
Closed
$10,000
10 Award Winners

AICPA Minority Accounting Scholarship

A $10,000- AICPA Minority Scholarship is offered to outstanding full-time students in order to promote their decision to major in accounting and eventual admittance into the field.

Eligible Grades
Undergraduate – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
December 1, 2022
Application Deadline
March 1, 2023
Closed
$10,000
10 Award Winners
Closed
$5,000–$6,500
60 Award Winners

ALA Spectrum Scholarship

The ALA Spectrum Scholarship annually rewards 60 students from minority and backward classes who are interested in graduate studies in library and information science.

Eligible Grades
Graduate
Application Open Date
September 1, 2022
Application Deadline
March 1, 2023
Closed
$5,000–$6,500
60 Award Winners
Closed
$750
2 Award Winners

Archie Motley Memorial Scholarship for Minority Students

Every year, the Archie Motley Memorial Scholarship for Minority Students grants two undergraduate students scholarships to the tune of $750 each to study archival administration at the graduate level.

Eligible Grades
Graduate – Postgraduate
Application Open Date
December 1, 2022
Application Deadline
March 1, 2023
Closed
$750
2 Award Winners
Closed
$4,000–$20,000
5 Award Winners

CIEF Bachelor & Masters Scholarships in Architecture

The Construction Industry Education Foundation offers the CIEF Scholarship in Architecture of $4,000 to five Californian students of minority enrolled in architecture undergraduate and/or graduate degree programs.

Eligible Grades
All
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
March 1, 2023
Closed
$4,000–$20,000
5 Award Winners
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner

Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship

The MTI Scholarship offers up to $5,000 to minority students in higher education institutions in Illinois who are studying to become teachers. Eligible students must have a 2.50 GPA.

Eligible Grades
All
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
March 1, 2023
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$1,000–$5,000
1 Award Winner

Warner Norcross & Judd Paralegal and Legal Secretarial Scholarship

The scholarship, administered by Warner Norcross & Judd and Grand Rapids Community Foundation (GRCF), is offered to one paralegal and one legal secretarial student in Michigan.

Eligible Grades
All
Application Open Date
January 1, 2023
Application Deadline
March 1, 2023
Closed
$1,000–$5,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$3,000–$5,000
13 Award Winners

AABE National Scholarship

The AABE National Scholarship awards $3,000–$5,000 to 13 graduating high school seniors of Hispanic, African American, or Native American ethnicity who will pursue studies in energy-related fields.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior
Application Open Date
November 1, 2022
Application Deadline
March 4, 2023
Closed
$3,000–$5,000
13 Award Winners
Closed
$2,000
1 Award Winner

Advocates for African Americans Carolinas Scholarship

The scholarship awards $2,000 to a graduating high school student to pursue undergraduate study in engineering, computer science, accounting, finance, or business administration at universities in North or South Carolina.

Eligible Grades
High School Senior
Application Open Date
December 3, 2022
Application Deadline
March 4, 2023
Closed
$2,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$5,000–$10,000
20 Award Winners

Rooted in Science Scholarship

The Rooted in Science Scholarship is an annual scholarship program that awards a total of $10,000 to 20 Black scholars to pursue STEM-related courses in college.

Eligible Grades
College Junior – College Senior
Application Open Date
January 31, 2023
Application Deadline
March 7, 2023
Closed
$5,000–$10,000
20 Award Winners
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner

Procter & Gamble General Scholarship

UNCF offers the Procter & Gamble General Scholarship to undergraduate students enrolled full-time in the fields of business, information technology, and public relations among others in the U.S.

Eligible Grades
College Freshman – Undergraduate
Application Open Date
February 9, 2023
Application Deadline
March 9, 2023
Closed
$5,000
1 Award Winner
Closed
$5,000
2 Award Winners

Black Winemaker Scholarship

The Black Winemakers Scholarship Program is a merit-based scholarship for full-time African American sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate students (MS and Ph.D.) attending an accredited four-year or graduates institution.

Eligible Grades
College Sophomore – Doctorate
Application Open Date
January 10, 2023
Application Deadline
March 10, 2023
Closed
$5,000
2 Award Winners

Black Student Scholarships

Black students are one of the most underrepresented demographics in various academic and professional fields. Historically, they have been denied access to education and now this is due to the increasing cost of higher education across the U.S. The general cost of college is not affordable for the majority of African American students. Some organizations, notably the United Negro College Fund, have created scholarships to help Black students obtain a college education, especially at HBCUs. For the majority of Black students getting a college education is still difficult due to financial limitations.

Did you know that 50.8% of Black students use student loans to pay for college? By applying for scholarships, you can avoid student loans altogether with a full-ride scholarship, or at least reduce the student loan debt you end up with.

Our list of scholarships for African American students includes scholarships for Black women, full-ride scholarships, minority or diversity scholarships, and STEM or Business scholarships. We’ve gathered the top scholarships to help you achieve your career goals regardless of your financial limitations. While most of these scholarships are for Black or African American students, some are for minority groups in general.

Top 10 Black students scholarships

We’ve gathered the top 10 scholarships for Black students. We evaluated scholarships based on award amount and ease of application and chose 10 with a high award but easier to apply for.

ScholarshipAward Amount
Ron Brown Scholar Program$10,000–$40,000
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship$30,000
API-JCU Diversity Scholarship$6,850–$19,650
Enterprise Holdings ROAD Forward Scholarship$12,222
The Legacy Lab Foundation Scholarship$10,000
Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship$10,000
TJX Scholarship Program$10,000
Dr. Blanca Moore-Velez Woman of Substance Scholarship$1,000–$10,000
TMCF | Ford Blue Oval Scholarship$6,200
Freedom From Religion Foundation Forward Freethought Scholarship$5,000

Scholarships for Black high school seniors 2023

Nowadays, there are several options for Black high school seniors seeking scholarships to help fund their college education. We advise you to start with organizations that offer scholarships specifically for students who identify as African American or belong to the Black community. Many of these organizations provide general or targeted awards, such as those specific to majors, GPA requirements, and financial need. For example, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) provides various scholarships specifically tailored for Black students to help them complete their higher education studies.

You can also search for local organizations, businesses, and foundations that provide scholarships aimed at African American high school seniors. We recommend you check out the Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships worth up to $20,000. Microsoft awards nearly 45 scholarships each year to members of the Black community to make college and a career in technology more accessible. The program is open to Black high school seniors who are intending to pursue a bachelor’s degree in subjects such as computer science, engineering, finance, and even marketing.

Similarly Chevron, in partnership with UNCF, offers the Chevron Corporate Scholarship of up to $15,000 to help and support students from African American communities to advance their education in engineering and computer science. Check out the Black Scholarships for high school seniors page for more information.

Scholarships for Black Women 2023

Black women make up about 62.2% of enrolled Black undergraduates according to the American Council on Education. In fact, since 1976, female enrollment at HBCUs has been higher than men.

In 2020, Black women made up 14.4% of all enrolled female students — higher than men but lower than white female students (52.6%) and Hispanic (20.9%). To break it down further, 14.2% of all female undergraduates and 15.4% of post-baccalaureate students were Black women.

There are at least 13 scholarships on Scholaroo for African American women. They cover a variety of majors, from engineering and mathematics to public relations and interior design. If you’re looking for more Scholarships for Women, head to our page — we have more than 80 scholarships. Some organizations such as the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs (NANBPWC) offer funding to Black women. Also check out the Dr. Blanca Moore-Velez Woman of Substance Scholarship. The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is another organization that provides funding opportunities for Black students — the Tampax Flow It Forward Scholarship and Olay Face the STEM Gap Scholarship are programs specifically for Black and minority women.

Black students in STEM

In the 2019-20 academic year, 55,642 degrees and certificates in total were awarded to Black students in STEM programs. Of which 33,494 qualifications were awarded to men and 22,148 to women. This total accounts for only 8.5% of the number of degrees and certificates awarded in STEM programs— 59.1% were awarded to white students, 14.6% to Hispanics, and 13.1% to Asian students. These metrics indicate a huge lack of representation for African Americans in STEM fields.

The journal article “Empowering Black Scientists in STEM: Early Success of the Black Biomechanists Association” points out that even though Black students have a similar college/university entering rate, the leaving rate of Black students is higher, meaning more Black students leave STEM majors than white ones. The authors put this down to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) barriers. DEI barriers refer to the financial and social obstacles Black people often face — these impact Black students’ ability to complete their degrees.

The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics reported that there were 2,027,114 Black or African American students enrolled as undergraduates in 2018. This was actually the lowest enrollment number — lower than 2008 even, 10 years prior, when 2,097,256 students were recorded. But while Black student enrollment may have dropped, degrees earned by minorities increased. They reported that “in 2018, underrepresented minority students received 24.0% of all S&E bachelor’s degrees awarded to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, 22.1% of S&E master’s degrees, and 13.6% of all S&E doctoral degrees.”

Does the government provide any financial assistance to Black students?

Under President Biden’s Build Back Better Framework, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) received more financing. The framework is intended to help the American middle class by creating more jobs, helping middle-class workers stay in the labor force, and growing the economy from the bottom up. Among the numerous plans is one to help lower the cost of higher education — which is one of the primary barriers minority groups face in obtaining a post-secondary education. Some examples of this are increasing the amount of the Pell Grant and making it accessible to DREAMers, and investing in HBCUs, Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and minority-serving institutions (MSIs) to provide more financial aid and increase capacity. In 2021, the Biden-Harris released a proclamation officially recognizing National HBCUs Week thereby acknowledging the vital role they play in providing education and training for many. As part of the American Rescue Plan, a pandemic relief fund, $3.7 million was provided to HBCUs. $500 million was awarded to HBCUs by the Department of Education as part of the FY 21 Grant Funding. For the FY 22 Budget Request, President Biden requested $1.06 billion for HBCU-specific funding — these are Title III mandatory funds to “provide formula grants to all HBCUs to invest in capacity-building initiatives and student success programs”.

The Build Back Better plan will also provide tuition subsidies to students who attend HBCUs with a family income below $125,000. In 2020, the U.S. Census reported that 28.1% of Black alone households earned below $24,999 — 11,4% in the $15,000-$24,999 bracket and 16.7% in the below $15,000 bracket. For context, the NCES reported that the average total cost of attending a public four-year institution minus aid and scholarships was $14,200 — it was $28,100 at private nonprofit institutions and $23,200 at private for-profit institutions.

Increase your chances for a scholarship in 2023

Many of the scholarships for Black students are for studying at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs, as they are known. We recommend that you apply for admission to one of the 107 HBCUs across the U.S. to stand a better chance of winning a scholarship. These scholarships are often meant to supplement federal aid so ensure that you have filed for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA). This will also help organizers determine whether you are eligible – financial need is usually an eligibility requirement and qualifying for federal aid is a way to prove that you need assistance. Read the tips we’ve provided on each of the scholarships to ensure you nail your application. Don’t forget the number one rule is to apply as early as possible!

No essay scholarships to win 2023

When it comes to scholarships, sometimes you only have time to apply for easy, simple ones that have a short process and provide a decent award. No-essay scholarships are a great option to consider. No-essay scholarships for Black students don’t require any essays, letters of recommendation, or other formal documents that can take time and effort to complete. Instead, they often just require an online application and some basic information about the student’s academic record and financial situation. These types of programs can award from small amounts to more substantial awards that can make a dent in tuition costs. Check out the Rooted in Science Scholarship sponsored by Pantene Gold Series and Head & Shoulders Royal Oils. Up to $10,000 is offered to need-based scholarships to Black students pursuing a degree in a STEM-related discipline.

Here are some other easy scholarships to apply for:
The AICPA Foundation also offers the AICPA Minority Accounting Scholarship of $10,000 to promote greater ethnic and racial diversity among CPA experts.
The American Association of Blacks in Energy offers the AABE National Scholarship ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 to support the studies of students from minority groups pursuing energy-related careers.
The Procter & Gamble Scholarship of $5,000 is offered to make higher education accessible and affordable to minority students troubled by financial constraints. The program is open to a number of majors including accounting, computer information systems, design, finance, human resources, information management systems, information systems, management, marketing, and marketing research.
Female students, who are pursuing careers in communications, can apply for Mission North The Future is… Fellowship of $15,000.

Frequently asked questions

Where to find scholarships for African American high school seniors?

Scholaroo has more than 100 scholarships for Black or African American students. There are 30 scholarships available for African American high school seniors. The award amounts range from $40,000 to $750. If you’re looking for full-ride scholarships, have a look at the Ron Brown Scholar Program, the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship, or the Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships.

What are HBCUs?

Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs are institutions that previously were the only schools to admit Black or African American students. Many were established after the American Civil War and are still running. Today, while Black students are admitted to any university or college in the U.S., many still choose to attend HBCUs. They offer great benefits for African American and Black students, not just in terms of the quality of education but the atmosphere and on-campus culture. There are 14 HBCUs in Alabama, 11 in North Carolina, 10 in Georgia, 9 in Texas, 8 in South Carolina, and 7 each in Mississippi and Tennessee. The top HBCUs are often Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, Howard University in Washington, D.C., and Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

Are there any scholarships for Black students going unclaimed in 2023?

While there are myriad scholarships available, many of them actually go unclaimed — in 2022, there were more than 14. Several factors contribute to this. Sometimes, not enough applications are received and the awarding body decides not to award any. Or, they decided that none of the applicants successfully met their requirements. Often, there are no applications because no one knows about the scholarship. There are so many scholarships available but they’re going unclaimed – so apply for as many as possible. Because most scholarships won’t cover the costs for all years of your degree. We suggest that you apply for a number of small ones — those small amounts will add up and could end up covering a large proton of your tuition.

Are there STEM Scholarships for Black students?

Yes! Black representation in STEM programs is falling, as the proportion of bachelor’s degrees awarded to Black graduates has been declining over the last few years. To encourage more Black students to enroll in STEM programs many universities, organizations and businesses are offering scholarships for Black students to study towards a qualification in a STEM field. 

Which scholarships should Black students apply for in 2023?

Black students should apply for all scholarships where they meet the requirements and not only for scholarships based on race or demographic eligibility.