African American Grants
African American Grants For College
Historically, African Americans have been underrepresented in colleges and universities throughout the United States. To improve college accessibility for African Americans, many grant and scholarship programs have been created to provide financial aid for African American students. This financial support has helped numerous students afford to attend college but because most of the grant programs created for African Americans require proof of financial need, interested students should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before applying for any of the grants below. Depending on personal finances, academic history and course of study, African Americans can likely qualify for several of these grants at one time.
The United Negro College Fund
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is a philanthropic organization that partners with governmental and corporate entities to award scholarships to African American students. The UNCF also provides generous financial support to historically black colleges and universities. Since 1985, the UNCF has awarded more than $600 million in financial aid. Scholarships from the UNCF provide financial support to more than 60,000 students each year. Visit the UNCF website to learn about eligibility requirements and deadlines for the specific grant programs.
The Ron Brown Scholar Program
The Ron Brown Scholar Program identifies high school seniors who are likely to make significant contributions to society. This competitive program awards $10,000 annually to students, with a maximum total award of $40,000. During the selection process, students are evaluated based on academic achievement, commitment to community service, leadership potential and financial need. The application deadlines for the Ron Brown Scholar Program are in November and January. Although applicants are required to provide information about their parents’ income, they are not required to submit a FAFSA. Applicants who become semi-finalists in the selection process will be required to provide proof of income.
The Mordecai Wyatt Johnson Program
The Mordecai Wyatt Johnson Program provides grants for full-time Howard University students who are recommended by the dean’s office. To be considered for the grants, applicants must file a FAFSA, maintain at least a 3.5 grade point average and submit a personal statement related to their career goals.
Catherine Roberts Bridgeman Scholarship Program
Catherine Roberts Bridgeman Scholarship Program is a grant program founded in 2009 to provide scholarships for black students from Harlem, New York who are in fulltime studies of nursing or hospital administration. To be eligible students must be attending one of the approved institutions which are known as historically black colleges and universities. The students must also complete a FAFSA application and demonstrate financial need. Approved students will receive a $1,000 grant.
Houston ISD Scholarship
This grant is for black Americans who are high school seniors at a Houston ISD school. To qualify, you must be enrolled in full-time studies at approved UNCF college or university and also demonstrate financial need and academic potential. Successful applicants will receive up to $2,500 for the academic year.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is another organization dedicated to educating black people in America. It gives out dozens of grants and scholarships each year. To be eligible for these awards you must be an active member of the NAACP and that you have a minimum 2.5 GPA for undergrads and a 3.0 GPA for graduate students. Additional eligibility requirements vary from grant to grant, with several listed below.
Earl G. Graves Scholarship
The Earl G. Graves Scholarship is for full-time junior and senior business students in an accredited college or university here in the US. You must be in the top 20% of your class and in good academic standing. Successful applicants will receive $5,000 for the academic year.
Hubertus W. V. Wellems Scholarship for Male Students
The Hubertus W. V. Wellems Scholarship for Male Students is for black males majoring in engineering, chemistry, physics, or mathematical sciences. To qualify you must be a US citizen, in good academic standing, and you must demonstrate financial need. Successful applicants will receive $1,000 each semester or $2,000 for the year. Students will be required to maintain their GPA in order to receive the full grant. If you drop below a 2.5 GPA your second semester grant amount will be withheld.
Zawadi Africa Education Program
The Zawadi Africa Education Program is a grant program run by the Zawadi Africa organization based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The program provides free grants to needy African women in East Africa that allow them to obtain a college education in the US. To qualify young women must be talented in a certain academic area, live in East Africa, and be in financial need. The money received covers the cost of tuition and other associated start up costs. Schools involved include Duke, Yale, and Smith.
