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The following list includes scholarships that are available to students who identify as black or African American, are natives of an African country, and/or are of African or Caribbean descent. Scholarships that only serve students in particular states or cities are not included, so this list is not complete. Do your own Google search and talk to your guidance counselors, mentors, and teachers, and the staff at your prospective institutions to learn about additional scholarship opportunities. Remember, every bit of scholarship money you earn will help reduce your out-of-pocket costs (and the amount of money you may have to take out in student loans).
AICPA Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students
Award Amount: Up to $5,000
Application Deadline: March 1, 2020
Minimum GPA Required: 3.0
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants offers dozens of $3,000 to $5,000 scholarships to minority undergrad and graduate students who are currently attending a nonprofit institution to pursue accounting or a similar field. Students must be members of AICPA (which is free) and plan to pursue a CPA license in the future. Students must be able to demonstrate financial need; any award money received must be applied to educational costs (tuition, fees, housing, books). The application will open on December 1.
Award Amount: Up to $5,000
Application Deadline: March 1, 2020
Minimum GPA Required: 3.0
Letter of Recommendation: Yes
Minority students with financial need who are interested in or currently pursuing a degree in chemistry or a related field may be eligible for up to $5,000 from the American Chemical Society. Students can apply from their senior year of high school through their junior year of college; community college students are also eligible. In addition to completing an application, students must also submit their transcript(s), two letters of recommendation, and financial information. Scholarships are renewable. The application will open on November 1.
Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships
Award Amount: $5,000
Minimum GPA Required: 3.3
Letter of Recommendation: Yes
Essay: Yes
This scholarship is open to African American and African high school seniors who have plans to attend a four-year college the semester after graduating from high school and are interested in majoring in a field related to technology, engineering, or business. Students must have a GPA of at least 3.3, need financial aid to attend college, and showcase leadership on their résumés. In order for your application to be considered, you must submit a completed application as well as a photo, your high school transcript, two letters of recommendation, your résumé, and responses to two essay prompts. Check the provider’s website frequently for the 2019–2020 application.
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Scholarships
Minimum GPA Required: Varies
Letter of Recommendation: Yes
African American students who are pursuing a degree in either the performing arts or the visual arts; who are pursuing a health-related degree; or who are enrolled in an institute of higher education to earn an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree may be eligible for one of four scholarships administered by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Students must live within a Congressional Black Caucus member’s district to apply. Students are required to submit a personal statement, a résumé, two letters of recommendation, their transcripts, and a recent photograph. Arts students will have to submit additional materials. The amount of each scholarship varies; scholarships are not renewable. Applications for 2020 will open in February.
The LAGRANT Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships
Award Amount: $2,500
Minimum GPA Required: 3.0
Letter of Recommendation: Yes
Essay: Yes
Minority undergraduate students who are currently attending an accredited four-year institution and studying advertising, marketing, or public relations may be eligible for a $2,500 scholarship from The LAGRANT Foundation. In addition to completing an application, students must also submit one letter of recommendation, a résumé, copies of their transcripts, a photo, an essay, and one paragraph each about their activities and honors. Students who win this scholarship must be available to participate in a two-day career and professional development workshop. Applications are due in February each year.
Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund
Award Amount: Up to $15,000
Essay: Yes
Minority students (either racially or ethnically) who are planning to attend an American Bar Association-accredited law school can win $5,000 annually to be put toward educational costs. In addition to the application, students are required to submit their transcripts, a personal statement, and proof of their financial situation. The scholarship is renewable, but students must reapply after their first and second years. Applications are due in the spring each year.
Award Amount: Up to $3,000
Minimum GPA Required: 2.5
There are two scholarships administered by the NAACP: the Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship (up to $2,000) and the Hubertus W.V. Willems Scholarship for Male Students (up to $3,000). Applicants can range from high school seniors to graduate students, but the specific requirements for each scholarship differ. All students must be able to show financial need. Those who aren’t members of the NAACP are encouraged to join.
National Press Club Scholarship for Journalism Diversity
Award Amount: Up to $10,000
Minimum GPA Required: 3.0
Letter of Recommendation: Yes
Essay: Yes
Minority students can win up to $9,500 for four years of college plus a $500 book stipend (for a total of $2,500 annually) from the National Press Club. Students must be graduating high school seniors who desire to become journalists following college graduation. Students must submit samples of journalistic work, an essay, three letters of recommendation, financial information, transcripts, and proof of admittance to a college (or proof of application if they have not yet been admitted). Applications are due in March.
NSHSS Foundation STEM Scholarships
Application Deadline: October 15, 2019
Minimum GPA Required: 3.0
Minority students or those who are underrepresented in higher education who are currently high school seniors and who plan to attend college and pursue study in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics may be eligible for an award from the National Society of High School Scholars Foundation. The application will open on June 15.
United Church of Christ Avery Arthington Fund and United Church of Christ Valerie Russell Scholarship for African American Lay Women
Application Deadline: March 1, 2020
The United Church of Christ offers two scholarships: one for a student who has traveled from Africa to study at an accredited institution within the United States and one for a female member of the church who has a commitment to justice and is pursuing a degree. Applications for both scholarships will open on December 1, 2019 and close on March 1, 2020.
United Negro College Fund Scholarships
UNCF offers a number of scholarships to eligible students. Some of these scholarships are available only to students attending particular institutions or living in a specific geographic area. Though the deadlines for some have already passed, other applications are not due until as late as June 14.
These scholarships are just a few of many that are available. If you plan on pursuing higher education, it’s a great idea to always be on the lookout for new sources of funding. Though it can be tempting to apply only for high-value scholarships, smaller awards add up, and every bit of financial aid, whether it totals $500 or $5,000, reduces your out-of-pocket costs. Good luck!
