Black College Expo: Showcasing Over 50 HBCUs for Minority Students

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Every year, from September to April, the Black College Expo goes to fourteen cities and shows off more than 50 of the 104 historically black colleges and universities in the United States. The National College Resources Foundation (NCRF) made the Expo so that students of color could talk to college admissions officers from some of the best HBCUs in the country. Since 1999, NCRF has helped low-income students get more than $1 billion in scholarships and grants. This has given more than 400,000 students the chance to go to college.

Why Should I Attend the Black College Expo?

• If You Are The First In Your Family To Attend College: The Expo was designed to provide guidance and financial assistance to minority students from underserved and underrepresented communities. According to the NCRF, “over 90% are from low- to moderate-income families, most of whom do not know how to navigate the college admissions process.” “Black College Expo demystifies the college and career planning process.”
• If you want to know how to apply to college, get financial aid, and plan for your future career: During the Expo, high school students can go to seminars to learn more about college and possible careers.
• If You Are Looking for Scholarship Opportunities: The NCRF College Expo scholarship essay contest is open to high school juniors and seniors every year.
• If you want to talk to someone from the admissions office: There will be people from dozens of HBCUs who work in college admissions looking for smart, hardworking students to attend their schools. Many of these colleges and universities will let applicants in right away if they meet their admissions requirements.

How can I prepare?

• Bring your high school transcripts and SAT/ACT score reports with you to submit your applications to admissions representatives at the event; you could get your application fees waived and get accepted into your dream school on the spot! Many schools also offer on-the-spot college scholarships to qualified applicants.
• If you are interested in joining a college marching band, you should bring your instrument to the expo and be prepared to audition!
• If you are a college student who is looking for a job or an internship, the Expo will host a job fair that will help you connect to potential employers! Bring your resume and be prepared to interview for your favorite positions.

2022-2023 Black College Expo dates and locations

Detroit, MI Expo
Location: Wayne State University
Date: September 24, 2022

New York Expo
Location: Medgar Evers College
Date: October 1, 2022

Houston, TX Expo 
Location: NRG Center
Date: October 8, 2022

Dallas, TX Expo
Location: Paul Quinn College
Date: October 15, 2022

Seattle, WA Expo
Location: Renton High School
Date: November 5, 2022

Sacramento, CA Expo
Location: Sacramento State University 
Date: November 12, 2022

San Diego, CA Expo
Location: Bayview
Date: January 26, 2023

Los Angeles, CA Expo
Location: Los Angeles Convention Center
Date: January 28, 2023

Oakland, CA Expo
Location: Oakland Marriott City Centre
Date: February 4, 2023

Miami, FL Expo
Location: Double Tree Hilton Convention Center
Date: February 11, 2023

North Carolina Expo
Location: Eastridge Mall, NC (near Charlotte)
Date: March 1, 2023

Atlanta, GA Expo
Location: Cobb Galleria
Date: March 4, 2023

D.C./Maryland Expo
Location: Bowie State University
Date: March 18, 2023

Chicago, IL Expo
Location: Chicago State University
Date: April 1, 2023

Latino College Expo
Location: Cal Poly Pomona University, Bronco Center 
Date: September 10, 2023

Students Think STEAM Expo
Location: LA Trade Tech College Campus
Date: October 28, 2023

How Much Does It Cost?

Most of the time, it’s free to get in. Tickets can cost as little as $7–$10 in some places, and you can get a discount if you buy your tickets with a group of 15 or more people. 

Visit the following link to sign up on the NCR Foundation website to reserve your spot: https://www.thecollegeexpo.org/ncrf-events/events

Source: National College Resources Foundation