Scholarships for Black Students

African American residents of Hampton Roads, Virginia with at least a 3.0 GPA who are committed to pursuing a STEM degree may apply for the African American Leadership Society STEM Scholarship administered by United Way of South Hampton Roads. Eligible applicants include high school seniors, currently enrolled college students, and qualifying veterans entering college. Scholarships are worth up to $10,000 toward tuition. The number of awards varies. Women account for at least 50% of recipients, and 25% of awards are designated for first-generation college students. Complete the online STEM application with required materials. Applicants must plan to enroll as a college student majoring in a STEM field. AALS aims to build a pipeline of Black STEM leaders and reduce racial and gender gaps in STEM fields across South Hampton Roads.

Undergraduate students of African American descent enrolled in a CIDA-, NASAD-, or NAAB-accredited interior design or architecture program at a U.S. not-for-profit institution may apply for the IIDA Foundation John J. Nelson Sr. Legacy Scholarship. Up to two recipients receive up to $10,000 each plus travel to Chicago for in-person recognition. Submit a 3 to 5 minute video describing how design has impacted your life and how you will use your career to benefit clients and community. John J. Nelson Sr. established this fund with the IIDA Foundation in 2019 to champion diversity and access in design education.

BIPOC high school seniors or recent graduates from Colorado, Wyoming, or Montana who plan to enroll in an accredited two- or four-year program in interior design, architecture, or environmental design may apply for the IIDA Rocky Mountain Chapter Elevate Scholarship. Two awards of $7,500 each are given. Funds are paid directly to the recipient's post-secondary institution and may be used for tuition, housing, supplies, or related program expenses. Submit one official high school transcript, one letter of recommendation, and a 500-word essay responding to the required prompt. You may optionally include one to three examples of creative design work.

Graduating high school students of color (African American, Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander, or Native American) who identify as agnostic, atheist, humanist, freethinker, or secular may apply for one of six scholarships from Black Skeptics Group Los Angeles. Preference goes to first-generation college students; students in foster care, who are homeless, undocumented, disabled, or LGBTQI+ are encouraged to apply. Six $5,000 awards are granted. Recipients are announced in August. Submit the online application with a letter of recommendation, proof of admission to a two- or four-year college, and a 500 to 700 word essay on your secular identity, humanist values, and community work.

African American male students graduating from a Contra Costa or Alameda County, California high school, or GED holders who have never attended college full-time, with a minimum 2.5 GPA and plans to attend college may apply for Diablo Black Men's Group scholarships. One $5,000 scholarship is awarded. Community or school involvement and letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or community organizations are required. Apply online at dbmg.org.

Black male high school graduates who are Denver Metro Area residents with at least a 3.0 unweighted GPA and who are enrolling in a four-year college or university may apply for the Delta Eta Boulé Foundation DEB Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship. Ten recipients each receive $5,000 per year, renewable up to four years. Winners also gain access to mentorship, the Institute for Professional Development, and the Foundation's professional network. Complete the online application with resume, transcript, professional photograph, teacher and counselor recommendations, and two essays on leadership. Semi-finalists interview in April.

U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients who are African American/Black, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, or Native American/American Indian may apply for The LAGRANT Foundation Graduate Scholarship. Applicants must be full-time graduate students at a four-year accredited U.S. institution, carrying at least 9 units per semester, with a 3.2 GPA and a major emphasizing advertising, marketing, or public relations. At least one year of study must remain, and Ph.D. students are eligible. Twenty recipients each receive $3,750. Winners must attend foundation scholarship activities, including career development workshops and networking events with industry professionals. Submit the online PDF application by the published deadline.

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color graduate students who are California residents enrolled in an ALA-accredited library or information studies program may apply for the CLA Scholarship in Memory of Edna Yelland. Up to three recipients each receive $2,500 and a one-year California Library Association student membership. Applicants must have completed at least one graduate course and intend to work in a California library after graduation. Submit the online application with coursework records, financial need documentation, two professional references, and an essay of 1,000 words or fewer by the July deadline.

Black or African American students with a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA, demonstrated leadership, community service, and financial need may apply for the Inquire Higher Black Student Success Scholarship. One award goes to a graduating high school senior entering college or trade school; one goes to a current undergraduate or trade school student. Each recipient receives $1,500 plus college-success mentorship and career guidance from Inquire Higher. Apply through Inquire Higher's scholarship page when the cycle opens. Applicants must attend or plan to attend a U.S. two- or four-year college, university, or trade school.

African American women age 21 or older whose education was interrupted by family responsibilities or other personal demands, and who are returning to complete college or entering college for the first time for those reasons, may apply for the Dr. Wynetta A. Frazier "Sister to Sister" Scholarship from National Hook-up of Black Women, Inc. Two $1,000 awards provide financial assistance for post-secondary education. Applicants submit two letters of recommendation (not from family), a recent photo, a personal statement of goals, proof of acceptance to an accredited institution, an official transcript if continuing or returning, and a 275 to 300 word essay explaining eligibility circumstances and how the scholarship would help. The award honors Dr. Wynetta A. Frazier and supports mature African American women pursuing higher education.