While most U.S. college students rely on financial aid and scholarships to help them pay for higher education, BestColleges.com claims many African American students struggle with higher-education affordability including facing less financial aid availability at the institutional or collegiate level.
JUMP TO HBCU SCHOLARSHIPS
Minority students are also more commonly first-generation college students. These circumstances, in combination with fewer Black students completing and filing the FAFSA, are likely attributing factors leading them to resort to student loans to pay for college.
Students, regardless of race, should apply for and renew their FAFSA annually. Federal student aid should be considered the primary method of funding college, followed by scholarships and grants. Student loans should be the last approach to paying for college.
High School students considering enrolling at a HBCU, and current minority students attending an HBCU have unique scholarship opportunities to help them pay for school.
Award Amount: $2,500 The GPC Scholarship Program is open to the children of part - time or full - time employees of Genuine Parts Company, Motion Industries, and NAPA Automotive Parts. Students enrolling at HBCUs are strongly encouraged to apply.
Award Amount: $5,000 The Chicago Football Classic Scholarship is available to high school seniors. You must have been accepted into an HBCU to be eligible for this award.
Award Amount: $1,100 The HBCU/MSI Transportation Scholarship is available to full - time undergraduate and graduate students who reside and attend school in North Carolina. You must have completed at least 24 credit hours at an HBCU or minority serving institution (MSI), have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and be pursuing a degree in a transportation - related field to be eligible for this award.
Award Amount: $1,000 The 1881 HBCU Blue Legacy Scholarship is available to freshman and upperclassman students who are attending an HBCU. Freshman students must reside in Houston or within a 50 mile radius of Houston to be eligible for this award.
Award Amount: $1,000 The Annie Ibok Scholarship is available to rising college freshmen who are attending HBCUs. You must be a resident of Washington State or California and have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award. Priority is given to recent high school graduates.
Award Amount: Varies The UNCF General Scholarship is available to full - time undergraduate and graduate students attending a UNCF member college or university. You must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be eligible for this award.
Award Amount: Full-Tuition The Morgan Stanley HBCU Scholars Program is open to students attending Howard University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. Eligible students will be invited to apply through their schools.
Award Amount: Varies The San Diego HBCU Scholarship is available to high school seniors. To be eligible, you must be graduating from a San Diego County high school, have been accepted to a HBCU, and submit a 500 - word essay on the following topic: "Why I want to attend an HBCU."
Scholarships for HBCU Students
GPC Scholarship Program
Deadline: 6/21/24Award Amount: $2,500 The GPC Scholarship Program is open to the children of part - time or full - time employees of Genuine Parts Company, Motion Industries, and NAPA Automotive Parts. Students enrolling at HBCUs are strongly encouraged to apply.
Chicago Football Classic Scholarship
Deadline: 6/21/24Award Amount: $5,000 The Chicago Football Classic Scholarship is available to high school seniors. You must have been accepted into an HBCU to be eligible for this award.
HBCU/MSI Transportation Scholarship
Deadline: 6/30/24Award Amount: $1,100 The HBCU/MSI Transportation Scholarship is available to full - time undergraduate and graduate students who reside and attend school in North Carolina. You must have completed at least 24 credit hours at an HBCU or minority serving institution (MSI), have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and be pursuing a degree in a transportation - related field to be eligible for this award.
1881 HBCU Blue Legacy Scholarship
Deadline: 7/5/24Award Amount: $1,000 The 1881 HBCU Blue Legacy Scholarship is available to freshman and upperclassman students who are attending an HBCU. Freshman students must reside in Houston or within a 50 mile radius of Houston to be eligible for this award.
Annie Ibok Scholarship
Deadline: 7/31/24Award Amount: $1,000 The Annie Ibok Scholarship is available to rising college freshmen who are attending HBCUs. You must be a resident of Washington State or California and have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award. Priority is given to recent high school graduates.
UNCF General Scholarship
Deadline: 3/31/25Award Amount: Varies The UNCF General Scholarship is available to full - time undergraduate and graduate students attending a UNCF member college or university. You must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be eligible for this award.
Forbes HBCU Scholars Program
Deadline: Varies Award Amount: $21/hr. The Forbes HBCU Scholars Program is available to rising college seniors attending HBCUs. You must be majoring in journalism or have previous journalism experience through an internship/employment to be considered for this full – time summer internship. You must also have prior experience in fact-checking, reporting, writing, and editing. Additionally, you should have experience with publishing platforms, current digital and social media technologies, and SEO best practices. Interns will be assigned to a beat (Business, Education, Innovation, Lifestyle, Money, Wealth and Leadership, Video and Social) and work closely with a corresponding editor throughout the summer. Interns will receive support and mentorship to meet professional goals, accelerate learning, and hone writing and storytelling skills.Christopher Lamont Cosper Scholarship
Deadline: Varies Award Amount: Varies The Christopher Lamont Cosper Scholarship is available to students who have been accepted into an HBCU. To be eligible, you must be planning to do research on how to better understand the effects of a lightning strike directly to the body.Morgan Stanley HBCU Scholars Program
Deadline: VariesAward Amount: Full-Tuition The Morgan Stanley HBCU Scholars Program is open to students attending Howard University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. Eligible students will be invited to apply through their schools.
San Diego HBCU Scholarship
Deadline: RollingAward Amount: Varies The San Diego HBCU Scholarship is available to high school seniors. To be eligible, you must be graduating from a San Diego County high school, have been accepted to a HBCU, and submit a 500 - word essay on the following topic: "Why I want to attend an HBCU."