Top Scholarships for Black Women to Apply For This Year

If you’re a black woman looking to advance your education, there are scholarships specifically designed to support you. Scholarships for black women aim to help overcome the unique challenges you might face and make higher education more accessible. They provide financial assistance and resources to help you thrive in your studies and reach your career goals. Whether you’re pursuing an undergraduate degree or heading to graduate school, these scholarships are here to support and uplift you on your educational journey.

To help students like you, we researched numerous scholarship opportunities to find the best options available. Through this process, we identified standout scholarships for black women on Bold.org, offering significant financial aid opportunities.

This list features scholarships specifically for black women that are currently accepting applications. You’ll find a wide range of opportunities here (including several no-essay options!). From scholarships that cover tuition and fees to those offering support for books and living expenses. Our goal is to help you find the resources you need to succeed in your pursuit of higher education.

About Scholarships for Black Women

Scholarships for black women are dedicated financial resources aimed at supporting and empowering women of African descent in their educational pursuits. These scholarships are designed to alleviate the financial burden of higher education, offering opportunities for academic and professional development.

With college costs going through the roof, getting extra financial support is a must for many students. No matter who you are, make sure to check out all your financial aid options—grants, work-study programs, and federal aid can all help.

Scholarships are a great way to ease the financial burden, and applying for them isn’t as hard as it sounds. Forget about filling out endless forms and writing a bunch of essays. Online scholarship platforms, like Bold.org, let you create a profile that gives you access to many opportunities with upcoming deadlines.

Types of Scholarships Available for Black Women

When exploring scholarships, it’s important to consider the specific criteria for each one. Some scholarships are based on academic achievements, while others focus on your major, interests, or personal background.

Merit-Based Scholarships

If you have strong grades, high test scores, or notable achievements in academics, sports, or the arts, merit-based scholarships could be a great fit. Many colleges offer these to attract top students, so check with your school for options. Some organizations also offer merit-based scholarships with specific requirements, like a minimum GPA.

Career or Study-Specific Scholarships

For those with a clear major or interest, such as STEM, visual arts, physical sciences, or nursing, there are scholarships designed to support these fields. These are often funded by individuals or organizations that want to promote diversity and encourage passion in these areas.

International Scholarships

Many universities are interested in attracting a geographically diverse student body. If you are an international student, apply for awards specifically reserved for international students – it could make your university experience significantly more affordable.

Need-Based Scholarships

Need-based scholarships are for students who need financial support to attend college. They’re designed to help those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to pursue higher education. Need-based scholarships are typically awarded to students who can demonstrate financial need.

High School Seniors

Figuring out how you will pay for college is a daunting challenge for many high school students, so it’s no surprise that high school seniors are the biggest group of scholarship applicants. Some scholarships are awarded to high school seniors just for one year, while others are renewed every year of their undergraduate studies. High school seniors should also know about other opportunities, such as grants, work-study jobs, and student loans. Applying for federal financial aid is a great way to determine how much additional funding you’ll need.

Current College Students

There’s no reason to stop applying for scholarships just because you’re already in college! Many awards are open to high school seniors and current college students. Undergraduate scholarships may also be reserved for specific year groups (e.g., first-year college students, sophomores, juniors, or seniors).

Graduate Students

You’ll find a wide range of scholarships for graduate students, including MBA students, law students, medical students, and students pursuing master’s degrees and PhDs. Educational institutions, non-profit groups, private individuals, and charitable foundations may offer scholarships for graduate students.

Non-Traditional Students

If you’re applying to college as an older or non-traditional student, you may be eligible for unique opportunities. Many scholarships are aimed at students who did not immediately enter college after leaving high school, such as military members, students with families, and individuals who took time to work or pursue vocational training. Most of these scholarships will require you to have earned your GED. Some are for students who previously attended a community college or technical college.

How to Find Scholarships for Black Women

If you’re beginning your scholarship search, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by simply Googling “scholarships” or even “minority scholarships” or “African-American scholarships.” You may come across some exciting opportunities, but more efficient ways exist to find relevant scholarships. 

Instead, a scholarship platform like Bold.org can help you narrow down hundreds of awards with upcoming deadlines for which you meet the criteria. You can filter results by location, education level, major, ethnicity, and other fields. You can also apply for scholarships quickly by sharing your profile with multiple scholarship donors and completing any additional required application materials.

Another excellent resource for finding scholarships is your guidance counselor if you are a high school student or your financial aid office if you are a college or graduate student. These offices should have up-to-date lists of scholarship opportunities, including local or university-specific awards that you may not be able to find anywhere else.

How to Apply for Scholarships for Black Women

Bold.org is a free scholarship platform for students of all ages, grade levels, disciplines, and backgrounds. Here’s how to find and apply for scholarships in five steps. 

Step 1: Head to Bold.org

Go to Bold.org to get started. You can view scholarship opportunities and grants using your smartphone, tablet, or computer. 

Step 2: Create a Free Profile

Your profile showcases your background, experience, and skills to scholarship donors. Take some time to create your ideal profile, ensuring it highlights your unique experience as a black woman. 

Step 3: Browse Scholarship Opportunities

Bold.org separates scholarships by state, education level, demographic, and more. Browse through all the available opportunities, paying close attention to each one’s application requirements and deadline. 

Step 4: Craft Your Applications and Apply

Once you’ve found at least a few scholarships you’re eligible for, start applying as early as you can. Review the requirements and ensure your applications meet, if not exceed, the expectations. Once you’re comfortable with your applications, apply and await your reply. 

Step 5: Keep Track of Your Applications

Bold.org helps you keep track of all your scholarship applications in one place. This dashboard will help you stay organized and aware of any changes, so check it often throughout your scholarship search. 

Tips For Winning Scholarships for Black Women

Applying for scholarships can require a significant time investment, so follow these best practices as you begin your search:

Tip 1: Pay Attention to Deadlines and Start Early

It would be a shame to miss out on a scholarship because you forgot the deadline! Some scholarships have rolling deadlines or are awarded every month, so make sure to have a range of dates on your radar and manage your time wisely when juggling applications. Do your best to get your applications in early before everyone else. 

Tip 2: Apply for Several Scholarships

Don’t limit yourself to just a few scholarships. Applying for several increases your chances and lets you combine multiple awards for more funding. 

Tip 3: Don’t Sell Yourself Short

It can be challenging or even embarrassing to talk about yourself, especially if you have to write a scholarship essay on a personal topic. Remember, however, that the interviewers don’t know you. Your profile and essays are the only glimpses they have of your life story, so make sure to describe your challenges, achievements, and ambitions accurately and genuinely.

Tip 4: Polish Your Applications

Each scholarship has different requirements, so take your time to read the instructions and scholarship aims. You want to create the best possible application and stand out as an impressive candidate. Research the scholarship donor and determine what they’re looking for, and from there, think about what you should include. You can also have others peer-review your application or speak with your school’s counselor for an extra set of eyes. 

Tip 5: Optimize Your Bold.org Profile

When applying to scholarships on Bold.org, remember that your profile is what scholarship panels see after you apply. This is your chance to showcase everything not included in your application, so be sure to put time and effort into your profile. Focus on your strengths, achievements, goals, and experience to provide a comprehensive look at who you are. 

Undergraduate and graduate degrees can be expensive but sometimes necessary to pursue careers in specific fields. That’s why scholarships can help black women attend college, whether they’re undergraduate or graduate students. Apply today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships for Black Women

How Can I Find Local Scholarships for Black Students? 

The easiest way to find scholarships for black women or any specific demographic is by visiting Bold.org. This scholarship platform has hundreds of different scholarships, including for black women, and is free to use. You can get started by creating a profile that allows you to apply for all the available opportunities. 

Are Scholarships for Black Women Legit?

Absolutely. Many individuals, organizations, and community-oriented scholarship funds recognize the importance of “giving back” and ensuring that minority students have opportunities to access higher education. There are plenty of legitimate scholarships for African-American women (as well as individuals of many other backgrounds). Of course, you should always be wary of scholarship scams that want to collect personal information without the prospect of an actual award. A respected, well-established platform is an excellent way to ensure that you only apply to legitimate scholarships.

How Can I Improve My Chances of Winning Scholarships for Black Women?

Applying to a wide range of scholarships is the best way to improve your chances of success. Luckily, some scholarship websites make it easy to apply for multiple scholarships quickly. As mentioned above, don’t be shy about talking about yourself and your achievements – or the challenges you’ve overcome. Demonstrating your involvement in community service and volunteer work is another excellent way to stand out from the crowd on your application.

How Many Scholarships for Black Women Can I Receive?

There is no limit to how many scholarships you can receive, so make the most of this opportunity and apply for lots of them. It’s perfectly acceptable for students to fund their education through a combination of grants, loans, income, scholarship money, and savings.

Are Scholarships for Black Women Taxable Income?

Fortunately, according to the Internal Revenue Service, scholarships are not taxable if scholarship recipients use them for educational purposes, such as covering tuition or textbooks. However, scholarship funding cannot be used for other non-college-related purposes, such as dorm furniture.

What is the United Negro College Fund?

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial support to students of color, particularly those attending historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions.

What’s the Best Way to Apply for Scholarships for African-American Women?

The best way to apply for scholarships is to keep track of deadlines and apply early. Consider using a scholarship platform like Bold.org to streamline the process and keep all your applications and information in one place. Your guidance counselor or career office is another excellent resource for support.

Are you pursuing college or graduate school? Take the time to apply for scholarships to reduce your college costs and maximize your financial assistance.