Last Updated on May 26, 2023
If you are currently a junior or senior in high school, you may want to increase your career prospects by continuing your education at the college level. As you consider your options for higher education, you may be interested in attending one of the historically black colleges and universities (HBCU). If so, it's a good idea for you to look into HBCU scholarships.
Why Apply for HBCU Scholarships
If you are uncertain about you and your family's ability to pay for you to attend college or a university but you still want to continue with your education, it's in your best interest to apply for HBCU scholarships.
Having a full-time or even a part-time job while trying to attend classes, do research, write papers and fulfill other requirements of your education can be quite difficult. The amount of work required to hold a job while attending school may force you to lower your class load, which in practical terms means that you will be extending the amount of time you have to stay in college.
The longer you take to get your degree, the longer it will take you to obtain a job and move up in your career. For this reason, getting an HBCU scholarship is a definite investment in your future.
Determining Your Eligibility
You will need to examine the requirements for each HBCU scholarship program to determine your eligibility. Typically you will need to be a citizen of the United States and plan to or already be attending school as a full-time student.
Applicants also usually must maintain a minimum grade point average or GPA, such as 2.5 or better. The scholarship's administrators may impose additional requirements, such as your ability to demonstrate a significant financial need.
Assistance With Scholarships
Speak with your guidance counselor to find out how you can get letters of recommendation to support your case as being a worthy student who deserves a chance at getting an HBCU scholarship. Before asking a teacher or other prominent authority figure to write you a letter, you will of course have to have already established some kind of a relationship with this person and demonstrated your good character and worthiness.
HBCU Scholarships to Consider
Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps/AFROTC HBCU Scholarship Program
Eligibility: Applicants must be a United States citizen and pass the Air Force officer qualification and AFROTC physical fitness test. Students must have at least a 2.5 cumulative college GPA, and meet the age, moral, medical and other scholarship eligibility requirements for Air Force ROTC. Have completed at least 12 semester hours of college by the end of your first term of freshman year in college.
Deadline: Ongoing
Award: $15,000
IES Abroad HBCU Scholarship
Eligibility: Open to students who attend an HBCU, is a Member or Associate member of the IES Abroad consortium and that transfers at least 75% of home school aid to IES. Scholarships covers the cost of the IES Abroad program fee, and reimbursement for travel arrangement.
Deadline: Fall May 1, Spring, October 25
Award: $2,000
Science Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Majors Scholarship
Eligibility: Undergraduate and Graduate Students in an eligible STEM major at an accredited HBCU. Must be an enrolled full time sophomore or junior when submitting application. An overall 3.0 GPA is required. Special consideration for military enlisted applicants and military veterans.
Deadline: Spring
Award: $5,000
The HBCU Scholarship Fund
Eligibility: Students must be a U.S. citizen and a incoming freshmen or currently enrolled student at an HBCU. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Special consideration for NAACP membership. An overall GPA of 2.5 or better is required.
Deadline: Postmarked on or before the last Friday in the month of March.
Award: $5,000
Development Fund for Black Students in Science and Technology (DFBSST)
Eligibility: African-American undergraduate students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields of study at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and demonstrate financial need.
Deadline: June 15th
Award: Up to $2,000 annually
Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Scholarship
Eligibility: Students attending TMCF Member HBCU Schools. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and demonstrate financial need. An overall GPA of 3.0 or higher and an essay (500 word minimum) is required. Student is required to apply for financial Aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and demonstrate leadership and community service.
Deadline: February – May
Award: Up to $3,100 (per student per semester)
Photo Credit: Virginia State University
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