20 Scholarships for Black Students to Apply For in 2024
With so many scholarships out there and lots of application deadlines fast approaching, it can be hard to find the right scholarships for you to apply for. Not to worry! Here is a complete guide on the best scholarships for African American students to apply for in 2022.
Best Black Scholarships to Apply to
Scholarships are one of the top ways that students pay the tuition costs for college degrees that can help them pursue careers. While there are many scholarships for African American and Black students, finding the best ones for specific college careers can be difficult. We have curated a list of the 20 top scholarships for Black students to apply to in 2022.
ProjectGiveBack Scholarship for Black Women
This scholarship funded by ProjectGiveBack is only open to those who identify as Black women.
- Amount: $1,000
- Application Deadline: July 26, 2022
- Winner Announced: August 26, 2022
M.H.M.A Black Excellence Scholarship
This scholarship has particular requirements. Only high school seniors or first-year college students who are Black males, have sports or extracurricular experience and have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 or higher qualify.
If this perfectly describes you, you could be eligible to be declared the winner of the $500 award.
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: August 1, 2022
- Winner Announced: August 31, 2022
Black Students in STEM Scholarship Fund
The Black Students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) scholarship is only open for graduating high school seniors studying STEM with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher. Black women or men who fit these criteria are eligible to win.
- Amount: $1,000
- Application Deadline: June 30, 2022
- Winner Announced: July 30, 2022
Wendell and Gwendolyn Clement Scholarship
This scholarship for Black students is only open to undergraduate students at Ohio State University with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher and majoring in education or business. Every year, one winner is selected to win $2,000.
- Amount: $2,000
- Application Deadline: August 1, 2022
- Winner Announced: August 31, 2022
Rising Seniors Scholarship
While this scholarship isn’t exclusive to only Black students, only female high school seniors in Illinois are eligible to apply. This scholarship aims to encourage the next generation of female leaders as they work to build a more diverse and inclusive world.
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
- Winner Announced: October 1, 2022
Catrina Celestine Aquilino Memorial Scholarship
Any first-generation student in college or graduate school who is interested in law and/or healthcare may apply for this scholarship. This scholarship seeks to support students so that they can complete their education and help those who are oppressed.
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: October 12, 2022
- Winner Announced: November 11, 2022
Snap Finance “Funding the Future” Scholarship
This scholarship is available to 3rd or 4th-year undergraduate students. Though not required, students who are first-generation college students, Black, African American, or people of color, veterans, non-traditional students, differently-abled, LGBTQ+, and/or from other historically underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply.
- Amount: $1,000
- Application Deadline: June 15, 2022
- Winner Announced: June 30, 2022
African American students who are undergraduate students attending a historically African American college or university may apply for this scholarship.
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: September 15, 2022
- Winner Announced: October 15, 2022
Cyrilla Olapeju Sanni Scholarship Fund
This scholarship seeks to support African students who are struggling financially so they can fund their education and achieve all of their dreams. Any low-income Black student with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher who migrated from Africa to the United States or is the child of a parent who migrated from Africa to the US may apply for this scholarship.
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: September 12, 2022
- Winner Announced: October 12, 2022
Bookman 5 Scholarship
This scholarship aims to support students who are underprivileged or living under challenging circumstances. Any African American undergraduate student with a minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher, is involved in their community or church, and is interested in psychology, biology, education, engineering, or ministry is eligible to win. The first-place winner will receive $1,000, and the runner-up will receive $500.
- Amount: $1,000
- Application Deadline: August 1, 2022
- Winner Announced: September 1, 2022
Kade Lewin Scholarship
This scholarship is specifically for African American high school seniors who come from low-income backgrounds and reside in New York City.
- Amount: $5,220
- Application Deadline: July 5, 2022
- Winner Announced: August 5, 2022
UW Madison Diverse Perspectives Scholarship
This scholarship aims to encourage diversity at the University of Wisconsin-Madison by supporting African American students who need financial aid. Any low-income Black undergraduates attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison may be eligible to win this scholarship.
- Amount: $1,000
- Application Deadline: August 1, 2022
- Winner Announced: August 31, 2022
ESOF Academic Scholarship
The ESOF Academic scholarship seeks to support minority students who need monetary support to pursue higher education at a historically Black college or university. Any African American student who is currently a high school senior with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher and is interested in attending an HBCU may apply for this scholarship.
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: June 19, 2022
- Winner Announced: July 19, 2022
This scholarship is open to any Black undergraduate in Arkansas studying criminal justice, political science, or public service and actively volunteering in their community.
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: July 15, 2022
- Winner Announced: August 15, 2022
Loretta Webb Green Scholarship
This scholarship is open to any Black undergraduates in the foster care system.
- Amount: $1,600
- Application Deadline: August 1, 2022
- Winner Announced: September 1, 2022
Amelia Boynton and S.W. Boynton Scholarship
Any student can apply for this scholarship as long as they are Black or African American.
- Amount: $1,000
- Application Deadline: July 15, 2022
- Winner Announced: August 15, 2022
Dajah Moore Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is only open to African American women who currently reside in Ohio as high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: June 20, 2022
- Winner Announced: July 20, 2022
Minority Women in STEM Financial Need Scholarship
This scholarship is specifically for undergraduate African American women at the University of Texas at Dallas who are Black students pursuing careers in the STEM field.
- Amount: $1,000
- Application Deadline: June 20, 2022
- Winner Announced: July 20, 2022
Josephine E. Sloane Scholarship for Legal Studies
Any African American student studying law in Georgia with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher may apply for this scholarship.
- Amount: $3,450
- Application Deadline: July 7, 2022
- Winner Announced: July 21, 2022
Leon M. Braswell III Book Scholarship
Applicants must be from historically underrepresented groups and graduating high school seniors who will be first-generation college students. This scholarship is specific to African American students in the Northeast: from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. One winner is announced every year to receive $1,500.
- Amount: $1,500
- Application Deadline: July 20, 2022
- Winner Announced: August 20, 2022
About Scholarships for Black Students
Scholarships for Black students are intended for students whose race or ethnicity is classified as African American. Black students are considered minorities with origins in any of the Black racial groups in Africa. Many Black students or other minority groups don’t receive as much financial support as white students, especially from the government. Therefore, many external scholarships exist to help African American undergraduate and graduate students pay for a college education.
What Are Black Scholarships?
African American students have historically been, and continue to be, the most underrepresented minority in all forms of higher education. The cost of attendance remains a significant barrier to this day.
Because college can take up such a large percentage of income and Black students pursuing academic achievements typically take out more loans, scholarships and financial programs specifically geared toward African American students are necessary to make college more accessible.
These programs are intended to improve African American representation in specific fields and higher education by ensuring that students in need of aid receive it. Scholarships, in particular, can mitigate or eliminate the need to take out student loans, leaving you free to focus on your education instead of worrying about how to pay for it.
What Qualifies as a Black Scholarship?
Several need- and merit-based scholarships available to African American students are not tied to a particular school, major, or field. African American students are less likely to receive merit-based aid than white students, and scholarships and other programs open only to African American students can help bridge that financial gap. Further, general scholarships available to all Black students, regardless of major or the type of institution they attended, can open up even more significant financial opportunities.
A historically Black college or university, or HBCU, is defined in the Higher Education Act of 1965 as “any historically Black college or university that was established before 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans.” Though their primary purpose is to support and educate African American students, HBCUs admits students of all races.
HBCUs may offer students greater comfort and community than other major universities. Further, they may also have a more significant number of financial aid opportunities available. Several scholarships are specifically aimed at African American students attending HBCUs or just African American students.
Type of Black Scholarships Available
Since there are so many scholarships out there for all kinds of students, a lot of people may not be aware of the different types of scholarships that are out there. Scholarships are broken down into categories to appeal to specific demographics of students more likely to win the reward. This can be based on financial situation or academic performance. Knowing which type of scholarship you’re applying for is essential to know which ones you have a higher chance of winning. Black scholarships are available in 5 different styles, and those are as follows.
Merit-Based Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships are scholarships for Black students awarded to those with exceptional academic performance. It’s based on a student’s level of success and does not consider financial status. A common misconception is that merit-based scholarships are just limited to grades. However, the fact is that some universities consider any co-curricular talents, including athletic abilities or musical skills. The money granted by a merit-based scholarship is almost exclusively meant to cover tuition fees.
University Scholarships
University scholarships are from universities or colleges to help students fund their studies. Many of these are entrance scholarships, meaning students don’t need to apply to be considered for the award. By default, your admission into the university or college makes you eligible.
Government Scholarships
With government scholarships, different agencies register with the government and offer scholarships for students. Federal scholarships are awarded based on various criteria, ranging from financial need (usually determined by completing the FAFSA) to a student’s chosen major. National scholarship awards vary and can range from the total amount of a student’s tuition and fees.
Private Scholarships
Private scholarships are scholarships funded by individual donors or privately owned businesses. Individual donors set up a private fund for students who need financial aid for personal or external scholarships. Depending on the donor, these scholarships are awarded based on academic merit or financial need. However, most private scholarships have strict eligibility requirements, such as being from a developing country or only for minorities in specific areas of study.
Financial Scholarships/Bursaries
Also known as bursaries or need-based scholarships, financial scholarships are a form of aid to enable undergraduate students to attend graduate schools. If the student is still supported by their parents, the scholarship provider will analyze the parents’ income and ability to pay for the tuition fees. They may also look at factors such as citizenship and residence status, tax statements, or employment. If the student supports, their income will be assessed. Financial scholarships are independent of merit scholarships. Students may sometimes qualify for merit-based and need-based scholarships depending on the program or university.
How to Find Black Scholarships to Apply For
If you have already applied to the provided Black scholarships above or are looking for more Black or minority scholarships, there are plenty of ways to find more Black scholarships. You can conduct a quick Google search on Black scholarships or check out reputable websites such as Scholarship Institute, BlackScholarships.org, Sallie Mae, and Scholarships.com. It’s essential to put in the extra work by conducting additional research to ensure any website or scholarship you discover is legit and accepted by the school or university you want to attend or are currently attending. You could also contact your school’s financial aid office to see if there are any internal scholarships you are eligible to apply for.
Tips For Winning Black Scholarships
Throughout the year, educational institutions offer various scholarships for Black students. These fellowships, scholarships, and grants are the best opportunities for aspirants to receive a professional education without debt. Unfortunately, no one can guarantee that you will be able to secure the scholarship. Luckily, some best practices exist that can enhance the chances of Black students to ensure the top minority scholarships.
Firstly, applying to as many scholarships as possible is essential while still being mindful of which ones you meet the qualifications for. Many educational institutions offer scholarships with diverse attributes, such as grants, fellowships, athletic scholarships, government-funded scholarships, etc. One must contemplate one’s requirements before applying to any fully-funded program. However, don’t just stop after applying to one. Apply to as many as possible, as the more you apply for, the higher your odds of winning. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of how many scholarships are out there!
Then, it’s helpful to practice and improve your skills in writing scholarship essays. As you may have noticed, many scholarships require personal papers for an applicant to be considered. Scholarship selection committees use these personal essays to get to know you better and discover what makes you unique. Knowing how to impress the judges with these skills can make you stand out and potentially win the reward.
Additionally, you want to ensure you have the proper documents to apply for any international scholarship. To avoid mishaps, make a checklist of required documents for specific scholarships. This can include letters of recommendation, transcripts, and even language certifications.
When applying for scholarships, it’s essential to give 100% effort. Hard work pays off, and to fulfill your dreams. You need to be willing to go the extra mile. Your race or ethnicity isn’t enough for Black scholarships to qualify you to win. There are tons of other applicants, so you need to be able to prove what makes you stand out and worthy of being declared the winner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Black Scholarships
Black scholarships can be a complicated subject to cover since many rules and regulations come with being considered eligible for a Black scholarship. Here are some frequently asked questions about Black scholarships that African American students tend to ask and become curious about.
Are Black Scholarships Legit?
Yes, Black scholarships are legit. Many companies and schools offer tons of scholarships for minorities, including women, Hispanics, and African Americans, no matter what study you study. However, the catch is looking out for scholarship scams when applying to external Black scholarships found via an online search. Therefore, it’s essential to keep an eye out for any scholarship that looks suspicious, and it’s worth conducting additional research to ensure the scholarship you apply for is genuine and not a scam to obtain personal information.
How Can I Improve My Chances of Winning Black Scholarships?
As mentioned previously, the best way to improve your chances of winning Black or any scholarships is to be prepared and confident. Conducting plenty of research on the scholarship to ensure it’s valid and that you match all of the qualifications the scholarship asks for. Additionally, it’s essential to put total effort into the essay or any tasks you need to complete to be considered. Lastly, being confident and not letting the potential rejection get to you is also crucial. There are so many scholarships out there, and while applying may be exhausting, it can be well worth it in the long run.
How Many Black Scholarships Can You Get?
You can receive as many Black scholarships as you’re rewarded! It is possible to get a full-ride into any college or university. That’s why applying to as many scholarships as possible is beneficial because there is no limit to how many scholarships you can have. After all, it’s money you earned.
Are Black Scholarships Taxable Income?
Any scholarships, including Black scholarships, are not taxable income. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), scholarships are not taxable as long as they are only used for educational expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, or other supplies. Scholarships only become taxable when they are used for non-educational expenses, such as vacations or shopping.
What’s the Best Way to Apply For Black Scholarships?
The best way to apply for Black scholarships is to be vigilant online or by contacting the school you currently attend or the school, you plan on attending. While there are many resources on Black scholarships, this guide provided lots of helpful information that we hope will bring you lots of success in your scholarship hunt. Remember, patience and perseverance can go a long way, and we wish you the best of luck in your academic career.
