Scholarships for African Americans

United Negro College Fund

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is a Fairfax, Virginia-based American philanthropic organization that fundraises college tuition money for black students and general scholarship funds for 39 historically black colleges and universities. The UNCF was incorporated on April 25, 1944 by Frederick D. Patterson (then president of what is now Tuskegee University), Mary McLeod Bethune, and others.

In 2005, the UNCF supported approximately 65,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities with approximately $113 million in grants and scholarships. About 60% of these students are the first in their families to attend college, and 62% have annual family incomes of less than $25,000. UNCF also administers over 450 named scholarships.

To learn more about UNCF, please visit the United Negro College Fund.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Many historically black colleges and universities also offer financial assistance to potential students in need. You will need to check with the historical black college for the individual grants they offers. For example, Howard University provides a handful of freshman scholarships and grants awarded for academic merit. Here are some scholarship opportunities:

• Farmers Insurance Group National Scholarship Award - This scholarship will be open to students from any state pursing any major and attending one of the 39 United Negro College Fund (UNCF) member institutions or other historically black colleges or universities (HBCUs). The schloarship is a non-renewable $1,500. The deadline is March 3. For more information, please visit http://www.uncf.org/forstudents/scholardetail.asp?Sch_ID=20783

STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Scholarships

Over the last decade, african americans have made great strides in these field but there is still many scholarship for those who wish to enter this field. Here are some scholarship opportunites:

• Development Fund for Black Students in Science and Technology - African American students enrolled full-time in an undergraduate science or engineering curriculum may be eligible to win up to $2,000 per year (renewable for up to four years). Applications must be obtained through participating schools. For more information, please visit DLHJR

• The National Institute of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program - NIH offers competitive scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. The scholarship amount is up to $20,000. The deadline is February 29. For more information, please visit NIH

Public and Private Organizations Offer Specialized Grant Funds

Another great sources for Grant and Scholarship money for Minority students are Public and Private organizations. Some of the more recongizable organizations that offer grants are:

• The National Black Nurses Association supports the professional and educational interests of African American nurses. The organization offers several grants, scholarships and internshipss for nurses enrolled in four-year nursing programs. The grant awards range between $500 and $2,000.

• Breakthrough to Nursing Scholarship - awarded to individuals who are of ethnic or racial minorities under-represented in the nursing profession.

• The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants is the national, professional organization for all Certified Public Accountants. They provide grants and scholarship for minority students who are enrolled in a full-time undergraduate degree program in accounting or finance. The grants/scholarships are $1000 and are awarded based on both financial need and academic merit.

• The American Psychological Association offers grants, scholarships and minority fellowship programs. The scholarships and grants are for $1500 and are for minority students enrolled in graduate level psychology programs.

Private Scholarships

Another great sources of grants are large corporations like Xerox, AT&T and Coca-Cola. Here are some other companies that offer african america scholarships:

• Totyola has created the "African American Initiative for Math/Science". This scholarship is available at the University of Cincinnati features a five-year program devoted to educating African American high school students from urban school districts who want become math and science teachers. The goal is to help provide them with the skills needed to work with inner-city schools. So far, Toyota has contributed $500,000 in scholarships.

Other African American Scholarship Programs Available

• Jackie Robinson Foundation

  The Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) is a public, not-for-profit national organization founded by Rachel Robinson in 1973 as a vehicle to perpetuate the memory of Jackie Robinson and his achievements. Serving as an advocate for young people with the greatest need, the Foundation assists increasing numbers of minority youths through the granting of four-year scholarships for higher education.

  The Jackie Robinson Foundation provides much more than financial support. While each Jackie Robinson Scholar receives up to $7,500 a year in financial support, they also become an active member in the Foundation’s unique Education and Leadership Development Program, which is an extensive mentoring program that includes attendance at workshops, assignment of a peer and a professional mentor and placement into summer internships and permanent employment.

  For more information, please visit the Jackie Robinson Foundination.

Additional Minority Resources