30 Scholarships for African American and Black Students in 2024

In Fall 2021, Black students represented 12.5% of the total number of undergraduates in the United States. According to the Postsecondary National Policy Institute, this group of about two million African American undergraduates took out student loans at a much higher rate than their peers in other ethnic groups. Fortunately, scholarships like the ones below can help make higher education affordable. To help you in your scholarship search, we’ve compiled 30 great college scholarships for Black and African American students.

1. The Gates Scholarship

Amount: Full cost of attendance

Provider: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Requirements: 

• Minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander
• Plan to enroll full-time, in a four-year degree program
• Graduating high school senior
• Pell Grant eligible

Awarded to 300 top student leaders, the Gates Scholarship recognizes high school students with exceptional leadership abilities, personal success skills, and academic records. Eligible students must complete the FAFSA to determine their financial aid package and family contribution. For winners of this scholarship, the award will cover the remaining cost of tuition and can also be applied to costs like room, board, books, transportation, and other personal costs associated with pursuing an undergraduate degree.

2. TMCF and ETS Presidential Scholarship for HBCU Students

Amount: Full tuition-only need/merit scholarship

Provider: TMCF and ETS

Requirements: 

• Minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American
• Enrolled full-time as a junior or senior at a public or private HBCU

The TMCF and ETS Presidential Scholarship for HBCU Students awards eight undergraduate students enrolled at a private or publicly-supported Historically Black College and University (HBCUs). This undergraduate scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and will be given to four students at a public HBCU and four students at a private HBCU. Sponsored in part by Educational Testing Services (ETS), candidates for this college scholarship will need to write an essay about their most rewarding educational experiences and how education has helped them achieve their personal goals.

3. Ron Brown Scholarship Program

Amount: $40,000 ($10,000 each year)

Provider: Ron Brown Scholar Program

Requirements: 

• Black/African American
• Current high school senior 

The Ron Brown Scholarship Program awards Black students who will help to honor the memory of the late Ron Brown through their commitment to academic achievement and community service. The scholarship provides financial assistance for four years to high school seniors who plan to pursue an undergraduate degree. Each year, the program awards 45 to 50 scholarships to deserving students who demonstrate financial need.

4. Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship

Amount: $35,000, plus Summer Associate salary 

Provider: Goldman Sachs

Requirements: 

• Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American female
• First-year MBA student

For graduate students in their first year of business school, the Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship is a lucrative scholarship with the potential to help kickstart a career in the financial services industry. Industry leader, Goldman Sachs, seeks to provide a launchpad to the industry leaders of tomorrow. In addition to the award amount to help cover the cost of tuition, awardees will receive a $40,000 salary for their work as a summer associate at the bank.

5. Sidney B. Williams Jr. Scholarship

Amount: Up to $30,000

Provider: The Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law

Requirements: 

• Black/African American
• Enrolled as a law school (1L) student at an ABA-accredited law school
• Proven academic performance at the undergraduate, graduate, and law school levels
• Intend to practice patent law

For Black students pursuing their educational dreams in law school, the Sidney B. Williams Jr. Scholarship should be one to add to your scholarship shortlist! This generous scholarship program provides financial support for three years of law school. Sponsored by the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law, an interest in patent law will move you to the top of the list for this specific scholarship. In addition to academic requirements, this scholarship provider prefers applicants with leadership abilities and a record of community service. 

6. Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship

Amount: $30,000

Provider: Jackie Robinson Foundation

Requirements: 

• Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander
• Plan to attend a four-year college within the United States or affiliated with a United States-based college or university
• Graduating high school senior
• Minimum SAT score of 1000 or ACT score of 21

The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship is an award for high school seniors from underrepresented groups. Inspired by the athlete and pioneer Jackie Robinson, this scholarship fund supports minority students with similar groundbreaking dreams. This comprehensive award also provides students with unique mentorship opportunities, and the program prefers to honor well-rounded, community-service-minded minority scholars with leadership potential.

7. Ann Fudge Scholarship

Amount: $20,000

Provider: The Executive Leadership Council

Requirements: 

• Minimum GPA of 2.3 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American female 
• Enrolled at an HBCU
• Rising sophomore, junior, or senior 

The Executive Leadership Council believes in a bright future for African American women, which is why they’ve endowed the Ann Fudge Scholarship. Named for Ann Fudge, a Black woman who shattered glass ceilings while serving as the CEO and Chairman of Young & Rubicam Brands, this scholarship is given to a Black female student enrolled at an HBCU. While students of all majors should apply, priority may be given to those majoring in business. Eligibility is limited to currently enrolled college students entering into their sophomore, junior, or senior year.

8. Minority/BIPOC Students in STEM Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Provider: Floyd|Snider

Requirements: 

• High School Senior, attending community college, or attending a 4 Year University
• Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander
• First Generation Student
• Majoring in Geology and Earth Sciences or Civil and Environmental Engineering

Sponsored by Floyd|Snider, this unique scholarship is for Black scholars with a specific interest in majoring in Geology and Earth Sciences or Civil and Environmental Engineering. The Minority/BIPOC Students in STEM Scholarship exists to support underrepresented students as they prepare to pursue their college education. This scholarship is open to students pursuing either a Bachelor’s or an Associate’s degree.

9. Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Provider: UNCF and the Signore Family

Requirements: 

• Minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale 
• Black/African American
• Enrolled full-time at a four-year HBCU
• Rising senior 

In honor of the late American hero, the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship program awards exceptional Black students who are rising seniors at an HBCU. The award is given each year to one male and one female student who have demonstrated academic achievement and a commitment to community service. Financial need is a key piece of eligibility, so if your aid packages aren’t what you’d hoped, this could be the scholarship that fills the gap.

10. KnowBe4 for Black Americans in Cybersecurity Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Provider: Center for Cyber Safety and Education

Requirements: 

• Minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American
• Pursuing a degree with a focus on cybersecurity or information assurance
• Undergraduate freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student 

KnowBe4 Careers is passionate about diversifying the field of cybersecurity. If you’re a Black student studying cybersecurity or a related field, check out the KnowBe4 for Black Americans in Cybersecurity Scholarship. This specific scholarship can be used to supplement your college fund for tuition, books, and even housing. Beyond financial assistance, KnowBe4 also provides a comprehensive education package to help prepare African American undergraduates for a career in their chosen field.

Loving these scholarships, but need help applying for your government financial aid? We can help you fill out your FAFSA and state aid.

11. The Legacy Lab Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Provider: Legacy Lab

Requirements: 

• Black/African American

This scholarship is ideal for Black students with a deep sense of self and passion for their community! The Legacy Lab Scholarship wants to reward and develop the next generation of ambitious, principled leaders. To complete this application, candidates will create a video explaining their future vision and dreams for making a positive impact in their communities. This scholarship program prioritizes passion and personality so applicants should be sure to showcase their unique selves.

12. Mary J. Mullarkey Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Provider: The Denver Foundation

Requirements: 

• Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander
• Majoring in a subject related to Law, Legal Studies, and Law Enforcement
• Pursuing an undergraduate degree at a college or university

The Mary J. Mullarkey Scholarship is to support students of color, women, and LGBTQ+ students graduating with an undergraduate degree from an accredited Colorado college/university. The scholarship is for use at an accredited U.S. law school of the candidate’s choice for tuition, fees, and books.

13. Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) All Around Scholarship

Amount: $6,200

Provider: TMCF

Requirements: 

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American
• Enrolled as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior at a TMCF 47 member-school

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund supports a series of scholarships for Black students with plans to attend one of the HBCUs or Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). One of these college scholarships is the TMCF All Around Scholarship, which seeks to support Black students with an eye for community service, leadership, and academic achievement. Applicants must complete a video answering an essay prompt about the purpose of education for the student, their family, and their community.

14. Actuarial Diversity Scholarship

Amount: Up to $4,000

Provider: The Actuarial Foundation

Requirements: 

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• At least one birth parent who is Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, or Pacific Islander
• Pursuing a career in the actuarial profession

The Actuarial Foundation provides scholarship awards from $1,000-$4,000 for students with the Actuarial Diversity Scholarship. Actuaries are a key piece of the financial industry as they help to assess risk and liability. Actuarial work is both a stimulating and financially stable career and one that the Actuarial Foundation wants to expand access to across underrepresented groups. 

15. TMCF and Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Provider: TMCF and Coca-Cola

Requirements: 

• Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American
• Enrolled full-time as an incoming-freshman student at one of TMCF’s 47 member-schools
• Graduating high school senior
• First-generation college student 

The TMCF and Coca-Cola Scholarship is a great opportunity for first-generation college students with plans to attend an HBCU. TMCF and Coca-Cola envision a future where every student can pursue their higher education dreams – which is why they’ve created this unique opportunity for specific TMCF member schools each year. The ideal candidate for this award will need to demonstrate a commitment to leadership and community service as well as academic achievement.

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16. Walt Disney UNCF Corporate Scholarship & Internship Program

Amount: $5,000

Provider: The Walt Disney Company and the UNCF (United Negro College Fund)

Requirements: 

• Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American
• Enrolled full-time as a junior at a four-year college or university
• Plan to pursue a career at The Walt Disney Company in a related field of business (e.g., film, television, journalism, media production, digital media, finance, technology, education, sports marketing, animation, etc.) 
• Available for the full length of the summer internship

For college juniors enrolled full-time in a four-year college or university, the Walt Disney UNCF Corporate Scholarship and Internship Program is worth a look. This unique program provides both financial assistance and a paid summer internship. Walt Disney seeks to support a diverse future by empowering the next generation of leaders from underrepresented groups. If you’re interested in a career in entertainment or a related field, this program could be a great way to kickstart your career – and offset the cost of college at the same time.

17. ACS Scholars Program

Amount: Up to $5,000 per academic year

Provider: American Chemical Society

Requirements: 

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, or Native American 
• Majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemical technology, or another chemistry-related science 
• Plan to pursue a career in chemistry or another related field  

The ACS Scholarship Program provides financial aid to underrepresented minority students who are majoring in chemistry-related disciplines. About 350 students receive scholarship awards up to $5,000 per academic year, and more than 3,000 students to date have received college funding from the program. This specific scholarship is open to high school students as well as college students.

18. Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Provider: American Library Association (ALA)

Requirements: 

• Minimum GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American
• Plan to study engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or another related field 
• Plan to attend a four-year college or university in the U.S.
• High school senior

The Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship is a unique award for Black students with an interest in pursuing a career in technology. Microsoft wants to discover the next generation of exceptionally talented Black engineers, computer scientists, and businessmen and women. If that sounds like you, this award could help fund your next chapter in education. Candidates with a love of community service and a track record of leadership will stand out to this scholarship selection committee.

19. Spectrum Scholarship Program

Amount: $5,000

Provider: American Library Association (ALA)

Requirements: 

• Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Middle Eastern/North African, Native American, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander
• Attending an ALA-accredited graduate program in library and information studies

The Spectrum Scholarship Program is an opportunity for minority students sponsored by the American Library Association. Libraries are a key part of the educational experience and the ALA wants to empower the next generation of diverse librarians. In addition to financial support, the ALA provides job preparation and placement opportunities both at libraries and within the ALA. If your goal is a graduate degree in library and information studies, be sure to check out this scholarship.

20. AICPA Scholarship Award for Minority Accounting Students

Amount: Up to $5,000

Provider: American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Requirements: 

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
• Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in the U.S. or its territories
• Majoring in accounting or an accounting-related major
• Plan to pursue the CPA licensure but not presently be a CPA
• Completed at least 30 semester hours of coursework, including at least 6 semester hours in accounting

The AICPA Scholarship Award for Minority Accounting Students is awarded annually to students from underrepresented groups seeking a degree in accounting or an accounting-related major. This scholarship program from AICPA has been running for over forty years and continues to provide access to education for students who dream of becoming a certified public accountant. This specific scholarship is for students who are farther along in their educational journeys – but for all math-loving scholars, this could be one to check out in the future.

21. Hallie Q. Brown Scholarship

Amount: Up to $2,000

Provider: National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs (NACWC)

Requirements: 

• Minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American female
• Member of the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs

The National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs (NACWC) has sponsored the Hallie Q. Brown Scholarship for African American women since 1904. The scholarship provides financial assistance for female students to pursue their college degree with the loving support of millions of other Black women. Membership is key to eligibility for this specific scholarship, but the NACWC is free to join and maintains chapters all across the United States.

22. National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. National Scholarship

Amount: Varies per recipient

Provider: NANBPWC, Inc.

Requirements: 

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American
• Graduating high school senior

The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. founded in 1935, emerged as a national non-profit organization in light of the need to promote and protect the interests of women business owners and professionals. Each year the association awards the NANBPWC, Inc. Scholarship specifically to Black female students seeking to further their education at the undergraduate level.

23. Martin Luther King Scholarship

Amount: Varies

Provider: Rhode Island Foundation

Requirements: 

• Resident of Rhode Island
• Black/African American
• Accepted or enrolled in a college or technical school within the U.S.
• Demonstrate leadership abilities

The Martin Luther King Scholarship is sponsored by the Rhode Island Foundation and awarded annually to Black students in pursuit of an undergraduate degree. Given in honor of celebrated civil rights hero, Martin Luther King, this scholarship provides the opportunity for future Black scholars to follow in his revolutionary footsteps. Students with a history of leadership and academic achievement will be the ideal candidates for this selection committee.

24. Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program

Amount: $5,000

Provider: Illinois Student Assistance Commission

Requirements: 

• Resident of Illinois
• Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, and/or Asian American
• High school graduate or GED recipient 
• Plan to teach at a non-profit school in Illinois following graduation

The Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program is a great opportunity to help pay for college and give back! This scholarship is funded by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, whose goal is to spread access to education by making it more affordable to residents of the state of Illinois. This unique award helps to fund college for the winner in return for their time and energy as a teacher at a non-profit school – public, private, or parochial – in the state upon receipt of their undergraduate degree. 

25. William A. Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship

Amount: $4,000

Provider: Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Requirements: 

• Resident of Indiana
• Minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx
• Enrolled full-time at any university in Indiana
• First-time undergraduate student 
• Majoring or minoring in education or another related field
• Commit to teaching in Indiana for at least three years upon graduation

With the dream of diversifying leadership in classrooms, the William A. Crawford Minority Teacher Scholarship provides scholarship funds to Black or Latinx/Hispanic students. Named for the legendary Indiana representative, William A. Crawford, who sought to spread access to education to all citizens, this scholarship opportunity is tailored to those who similarly believe in the power of education. If you commit to teaching in the state of Indiana, this scholarship can help pay for your education for all four years as it is eligible to be renewed annually!

26. Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship

Amount: Up to $1,850

Provider: Kansas Board of Regents

Requirements:

• Resident of Kansas
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx
• Enrolled full-time at a Kansas community college or four-year university
• Minimum ACT score of 21 or SAT score of 990
• High school rank in the upper 33% of one’s class
• Completed Kansas Scholars Curriculum Selection by National Merit Corporation in any category  
• Selected by College Board as a Hispanic Scholar 

For high-school standouts from underrepresented groups in Kansas, the Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship can help form a pathway to an undergraduate degree. This award is sponsored by the Kansas Board of Regents, which oversees all of the higher education institutions in the state, and aims to increase ethnic diversity across its member organizations. This award doesn’t carry any subject matter requirement, and it’s renewable for up to five years in case your field of study takes you extra time.

27. The Florida Fund for Minority Teacher Education Scholarship

Award: $4,000

Provider: Florida Fund for Minority Teachers

Requirements: 

• Resident of Florida
• Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, Asian American, and/or Pacific Islander
• Admitted into a teaching program at an FFMT participating university
• College junior
• Completed 60 credits or AA degree but no more than 18 hours of upper-division education courses

The Florida Fund for Minority Teachers Education Scholarship grants college funds to minority students who hope to become teachers. Sponsored by the State of Florida, this award provides not only financial support but also helps develop professional skills and prepare future educators for life in the classroom. If you identify as a member of a minority group and are enrolled in a teaching program, don’t forget to apply!

28. Larry W. Carter Scholarship

Amount: $3,000

Provider: The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines

Requirements: 

• Resident of Iowa
• Black/African American
• Enrolled full- or part-time in any college program 

The Larry W. Carter Scholarship was created in memory of Larry W. Carter, an activist and prominent community leader. Any African American Iowa resident is eligible to apply. Applicants can be pursuing full-time or part-time studies at the undergraduate or graduate level.

29. Black Philanthropy Bannister Scholarship

Amount: Varies

Provider: Rhode Island Foundation

Requirements: 

• Resident of Rhode Island 
• Black/African American
• Pursuing or advancing a career in healthcare at a post-secondary institution
• High school graduate or adult student 

This specific scholarship is provided by the Rhode Island Foundation and is perfect for Black students with an interest in medicine and community service. The Black Philanthropy Bannister Scholarship supports students from Rhode Island pursuing a career in healthcare. The scholarship is given in honor of the Bannister House, a nursing home for retired African American domestic workers, and seeks to support the Black community in Rhode Island. This scholarship may be renewable for up to four years and is open to undergraduate and graduate students.

30. Cornerstone Scholarship Charitable Trust

Amount: Varies

Provider: Cornerstone Scholarship Charitable Trust

Requirements: 

• Resident of Arkansas
• Black/African American
• Plan to attend a university, college, or vocational school
• Earned a high school diploma 
• 17 to 25 years old

African American students from Arkansas are eligible to apply for the Cornerstone Scholarship Charitable Trust. This college scholarship is specifically targeted toward Black students who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and have big dreams for their future. The ideal candidate will be an undergraduate student who demonstrates financial need as well as academic achievement.

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Kelly Lamano

Though always a creative, Kelly's momentum into the world of writing and publishing arrived when she attended college. She quickly learned the financial value - and cost - of honing her craft, and sought scholarships that would be crucial to not only funding, but fueling her education. She wants to help new students thrive with Going Merry's easy scholarship finder. Kelly holds a bachelor's degree in Broadcast, Print and Online Media, and a minor in Spanish from Florida Southern College.

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