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.

Black or African American U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are current high school seniors with academic excellence, leadership, community service, and financial need may apply for the Ron Brown Scholar Program. Up to 25 scholars receive $10,000 awards. Funds may be applied at any four-year U.S. college in any discipline. Submit two essays of approximately 500 words each, letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, and family tax information. Finalists participate in a weekend selection process in Washington, D.C.

Students of color who will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors when the award is granted, and who pursue radio, television, or digital journalism, may apply through RTDNA. One recipient receives $10,000. Submit contact information, a resume, cover letter, three to five work-sample links, and one recommendation through RTDNA's unified portal. The winner is invited to the RTDNA Foundation First Amendment Awards in Washington, D.C., with travel covered. Ed Bradley, the CBS News 60 Minutes correspondent, established this scholarship in 1994 to support aspiring journalists.

Full-time U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents at accredited four-year colleges, community colleges, portfolio schools, or art schools may apply if they identify as African-American/Black American, Indigenous American, Asian-American/Pacific Islander, or Latino/Hispanic and study art direction, copywriting, production, editing, illustration, or marketing strategy/analytics. Two recipients each receive a $10,000 scholarship plus one year of mentorship from a Saatchi & Saatchi professional, including monthly virtual meetups and email and text access. Complete the Giving Back Fund application and submit a creative pitch as an unlisted YouTube video (three minutes maximum). Optional project samples may be included. Priority goes to students who demonstrate financial need. Recipients are selected by a panel of creatives, strategists, data analysts, and talent managers at Saatchi & Saatchi and partner organizations.

Female African American law students who are 1Ls, 2Ls, or part-time 3Ls enrolled at an accredited New Jersey law school, or New Jersey permanent residents enrolled at an accredited law school outside New Jersey, may apply. The scholarship is $10,000. Selection weighs community service and civic involvement, financial need, and academic achievement. The Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey awards honor Bernadine Johnson-Marshall and Martha Bell Williams and encourage African American women in the legal profession.

Black undergraduate and master's students in optics, photonics, or related STEM fields may apply. The 2026 cohort includes students at US and international universities, so US applicants are eligible. Ten recipients each receive $10,000, a one-year Optica membership, mentor access, and an invitation to the Amplify Optics Immersion Program. Applications open in early October and close November 30 each year. The 2026 recipients were listed in February 2026. The Optica Foundation established Amplify to expand representation of Black students in optics and photonics.

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.