Learn how HBCU scholarships and grants can help Black students pay for college. Fund your degree through alternatives to student loans.
by Meg Whitenton
Updated March 18, 2022
Reviewed by Pamela “Safisha Nzingha” Hill, Ph.D.
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Make the Most Out of Your HBCU Experience
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For students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), scholarships, internships, and fellowships can make higher education more affordable. HBCU scholarships and grants can supplement federal financial aid to help students fund their degrees and, ultimately, launch their careers.
While the majority of college students need financial aid to afford college, HBCU scholarships recognize the merit and potential of Black students with unique financial considerations. Read on to learn more about scholarships for HBCU students and related resources.
Financial Considerations for HBCU Students
Pursuing a college degree is a costly proposition for most students, but it can be disproportionately expensive for Black students. Many Black students at HBCUs face hardships beyond those of their white peers, including increased student debt and less available institutional aid.
A 2016 report from the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) found that 80% of HBCU students used federal loans for college, versus only 55% of non-HBCU students. Additionally, according to the Brookings Institute, Black students attending four-year colleges owed an average of $7,400 more in student loans than white students as of 2016. And that average debt gap more than tripled for Black graduates over the next several years. As a result, many Black students face significant student loan debt.
HBCU scholarships and grants, which typically do not require repayment, can help alleviate these critical deficiencies in federal financial aid for Black students. Scholarships may be awarded based on a variety of factors, including merit and financial need. The following sections describe some of the most generous and inclusive HBCU scholarships and grants.
Scholarships for HBCU Students
Many HBCUs offer partial and full scholarships to enrolled students. Learners should inquire about these institutional scholarships when applying to college. Additionally, local chapters of Black fraternities and sororities, alumni chapters, and other organizations offer scholarships, including those described below.
The ABOUT LOVE Scholarship
- Who Is Eligible?: Beyoncé's ABOUT LOVE Scholarship supports students at Lincoln State University in Pennsylvania, Norfolk State University in Virginia, Bennett College in North Carolina, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Central State University in Ohio. Applicants must qualify for financial aid as determined by their institutions and pursue majors in creative fields.
- Application Deadline: September
- Scholarship Amount: Varies
Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship
- Who Is Eligible?: Applicants must be full-time, first-generation undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a UNCF-approved school, excluding Morehouse College, Spelman College, the Interdenominational Theological Center, or Clark Atlanta University. Students must possess a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate unmet financial need.
- Application Deadline: April
- Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000 per year, for four years
The Frederick Douglas Bicentennial Scholarship Program
- Who Is Eligible?: Applicants must be rising seniors, enrolled full time at a qualifying HBCU. Students also need to demonstrate a commitment to community service and have a minimum GPA of 3.5. Applicants must indicate unmet financial need, as verified by their school, and fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aide (FAFSA) form.
- Application Deadline: TBD
- Scholarship Amount: $10,000 per year
Fund II Foundation UNCF STEM Scholars Program
- Who Is Eligible?: Applicants must be African American, full-time, first-year students with demonstrated unmet financial need. They must have completed advanced math and science courses in high school, including precalculus. This scholarship is specifically for students intending to pursue science, technology, mathematics, or engineering (STEM) majors.
- Application Deadline: April
- Scholarship Amount: Up to $25,000
Intel Scholarship
- Who Is Eligible?: Applicants must be African American U.S. citizens attending school full time as juniors, seniors, or graduate students. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be enrolled in an approved STEM program.
- Application Deadline: June
- Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Target Scholars Program
- Who Is Eligible?: Applicants must be Black first-year students enrolled full time at an approved HBCU. Potential awardees must demonstrate financial need, have a minimum GPA of 2.75, and plan to pursue a career in technology, leadership, or design.
- Application Deadline: July
- Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Thurgood Marshall College Fund/Lowe's Scholarship
- Who Is Eligible?: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have never received the TMCF/Lowe's Scholarship before and who aren't receiving another TMCF scholarship the same year. Students must be full-time sophomores, juniors, or seniors at a TMCF-member school with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and unmet financial need.
- Application Deadline: Varies
- Scholarship Amount: Varies
Thurgood Marshall College Fund/Wells Fargo Emergency Scholarship
- Who Is Eligible?: Applicants must be seniors enrolled full time at a TMCF-approved HBCU and have verified U.S. citizenship or legal permanent resident status. Students also need a minimum GPA of 3.0, demonstrated leadership abilities, and unmet financial need.
- Application Deadline: TBD
- Scholarship Amount: $750
UNCF K-12 Education Fellowship
- Who Is Eligible?: Applicants must be undergraduate juniors at a qualifying HBCU. Students should be willing to relocate for a 10-week summer fellowship, which includes a paid internship within a K-12 organization or school. All majors are welcome to apply.
- Application Deadline: February
- Scholarship Amount: Varies
UNCF/Koch Scholars Program
- Who Is Eligible?: Applicants must be Black or African American U.S. citizens or permanent residents who attend or plan to attend an eligible four-year university. Students are also required to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7. This program is for students with an interest in principled entrepreneurship, innovation, and economics.
- Application Deadline: TBD
- Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000 per year, for four years
Grants for HBCU Students
Federal Pell Grant
- Who Is Eligible?: Applicants must be undergraduate students who have not previously earned bachelor's, master's, or professional degrees. They need to submit the FAFSA to demonstrate financial need.
- Application Deadline: Varies
- Scholarship Amount: Up to $6,495 (for the 2021-2022 award year)
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
- Who Is Eligible?: Eligible students, as determined by the FAFSA, include undergraduates who have not previously earned bachelor's degrees. Priority is given to students with exceptional financial need.
- Application Deadline: Varies
- Scholarship Amount: $100-$4,000 per year
HBCU Tuition and Travel Grant
- Who Is Eligible?: Applicants must attend an HBCU that belongs to the IES Abroad consortium and apply to an IES Abroad program.
- Application Deadline: Varies
- Scholarship Amount: $2,000
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
- Who Is Eligible?: Eligible students do not qualify for a Federal Pell Grant based on their expected family contribution but meet all other criteria. Applicants must also have been younger than 24 or enrolled in college at least part time when their parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11.
- Application Deadline: Varies
- Scholarship Amount: Up to $6,425
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
- Who Is Eligible?: Applicants must meet the general criteria for federal student aid programs and be enrolled in a TEACH Grant-eligible program. Enrollees must score above the 75th percentile on one or more portions of a college admissions test or maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25. Awardees must also agree to complete a teaching-service obligation after graduation.
- Application Deadline: Varies
- Scholarship Amount: Up to $4,000 per year
Additional Resources for Financial Assistance
Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships for HBCU Students
Which HBCU gives the most scholarships?
While exact scholarship numbers vary each year, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania awarded the most HBCU scholarships during the 2016-2017 academic year -- according to HBCU Lifestyle -- totaling more than $6,750 per student. Many other schools, including South Carolina State University, Delaware State University, Tuskegee University, and Virginia State University also award generous scholarship packages to students.
What GPA do you need to get a full-ride scholarship?
Most full-ride scholarships require a GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. However, many programs consider additional criteria, such as class rank and standardized test scores. Students should carefully read the scholarship's requirements to manage their own expectations. Scholarships that specify a particular minimum GPA tend to remain firm on that requirement, while others may give a range or state a willingness to consider other factors.
What is the least-expensive HBCU?
Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina is among the most affordable HBCUS. Annual tuition for the 2021-2022 school year totals $6,664 for in-state students and $10,664 for out-of-state learners. Shorter College -- a private, two-year HBCU in Arkansas -- is another affordable school, with estimated tuition and fees of about $6,000 a year. Even many of the most expensive HBCUs keep costs lower than the national average for tuition.
What percentage of HBCU students receive financial aid?
According to TMCF,more than 75% of students at HBCUs receive Federal Pell Grants and nearly 13% pursue PLUS Loans to attend college. Outside of federal financial aid, many HBCU scholarships are distributed based on available institutional funding, which pales in comparison to that of primarily white institutions. On average, HBCU's endowments are roughly 13% the size of non-HBCU institutions' endowments.
Which HBCU has the highest tuition?
Atlanta's Spelman College tops the list of the most expensive HBCUs in the U.S., with tuition and fees exceeding $28,000 annually for students during the 2021-2022 academic year.
Reviewed by:
Dr. Pamela “Safisha Nzingha” Hill, Ph.D.
Dr. Pamela "Safisha Nzingha" Hill, Ph.D., is a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant; Afrocentric scholar; activist; journalist; educator; student development practitioner; and life student of Africana studies. For over 20 years Dr. Hill has worked in higher education in both student development and academic affairs. She has served as a mid-level student affairs administrator in positions of assistant dean of students, diversity director, and assistant vice president, as well as adjunct assistant professor teaching in the areas of higher education, humanities, developmental writing, African American studies, and social work. As a student-centered educator/consultant, she is experienced at developing culturally based curricula and conducting specialized professional development sessions on cultural competency and sensitivity educational training within academic and organizational settings. Additionally, she has lectured at a number of colleges and universities across the nation on issues pertinent to the Black experience and multiculturalism in higher education.
Dr. Hill is a proud graduate of Langston University — Oklahoma's only Historically Black University — where she received a bachelor of arts degree in broadcast journalism. Additionally, she holds a master of science in college teaching/student personnel services from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma, and she earned a Ph.D. in higher and adult education with an emphasis in student development and minors in Black studies and educational counseling psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia — one of the nation's top-tier Research I institutions.
She holds membership in the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education, Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Langston University Alumni Association, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is the proud mother of a daughter, Safisha Nzingha, who is a student at Langston University.
Dr. Hill sees her life mission as moving people forward through the vehicle of culturally grounded education.
Feature Image: Peter Muller / Image Source / Getty Images
FAQs
Which HBCU gives the most scholarships? ›
- Alcorn State University. ...
- Alabama State University. ...
- Prairie View A & M University. ...
- Elizabeth City State University. ...
- Central State University. ...
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. ...
- South Carolina State University. ...
- Cheyney University of Pennsylvania. Location: Cheyney, PA.
You will increase your chances of winning a scholarship by taking your time to fill out each application thoroughly. Forgo the urge to copy and paste, even if two scholarship essay questions seem identical. Don't skip optional questions either, since they are a wonderful way to share more about yourself and your goals.
What is the #1 HBCU in the country? ›HBCU Rank 2022 | US College Rank 2022 | University |
---|---|---|
1 | 109 | Howard University |
2 | 126 | Spelman College |
3 | 383 | Xavier University of Louisiana |
=4 | 401-500 | Morehouse College |
The much-anticipated U.S. News & World Report's “Best Colleges 2023” guidebook released Monday shows FAMU ranked No. 103 nationally among public universities, earning the university continued bragging rights as the highest ranked public historically black college or university in the country.
What is the cheapest HBCU to attend? ›- Simmons College, Louisville, Kentucky. Tuition and fees per year: $5,310.
- Selma University, Selma, Alabama. Tuition and fees per year: $7,115.
- Clinton College, Rock Hill, South Carolina. ...
- Southwestern Christian College, Terrell, Texas. ...
- Paul Quinn College, Dallas.
Institute, West Virginia. West Virginia State University was established in 1891. Established in 1891 as the West Virginia Colored Institute, West Virginia State University is an HBCU and the smallest land-grant institution in the country.
What is the easiest scholarship to win? ›- $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship.
- $2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay.
- $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship.
- $5,000 Graduate School Scholarship.
- $2,000 College Repayment Grant.
- Annual Protestant Faith Based College Scholarship.
- Annual Catholic College Scholarship.
7% or 1 in 8 students are likely to receive a scholarship. Only 0.2% of students receive upwards of $25,000 in scholarships. 5% of students in bachelor programs got enough of scholarships to cover 100% of costs. 7% received enough to cover 90% of costs.
How do you actually win a scholarship? ›- Create an accomplishments resume. ...
- Don't miss deadlines. ...
- Complete the scholarship matching profile thoroughly. ...
- Apply to as many scholarships as possible. ...
- Look for scholarship listing books. ...
- Find local scholarships on bulletin boards. ...
- Tap into family connections.
It opened in the late 19th century as the Bluefield Colored Institute, created to educate the children of black coal miners in segregated West Virginia. Although it still receives the federal funding that comes with its designation as a historically black institution, today Bluefield State College is 90 percent white.
What HBCU is called the black Harvard? ›
Howard University is known as the Harvard of HBCUs. It has the most selective admissions standards of any HBCU and the highest endowment, valued at nearly $800 million as of 2021. It also has the highest graduation rate of all coed HBCUs.
What is the oldest black HBCU? ›The First of Its Kind
On February 25, 1837, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania became the nation's first Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
As mentioned before, Howard University has the largest endowment of any HBCU. It is followed closely by Spelman University in Atlanta, Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, Morehouse University, which is also in Atlanta and the Meharry Medical College in Nashville.
What is the blackest Ivy League? ›- Howard University (Washington, DC.)
- Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA)
- Spelman College (Atlanta, GA)
- Tuskegee University (Tuskegee, AL)
- Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (Cheyney, PA)
- Morgan State University (Baltimore, MD)
The Historically Black College and University (HBCU) with the best dorms is Fort Valley State University located in Fort Valley, Georgia. Founded in 1895, Fort Valley State University is a public institution with a strong history of the education of black Americans.
What is the largest black HBCU? ›North Carolina A&T, the largest HBCU, is growing, still - The Washington Post.
What GPA is required for HBCU? ›What GPA do you need to get into an HBCU? The typical GPAs for students accepted into many HBCUs schools range from 2.5-3.0. Other HBCUs may require higher GPAs. For example, students accepted at Hampton University and Florida A&M had average GPAs above 3.25.
What is the largest HBCU in the world? ›- St Philip's College. State: TX. ...
- North Carolina A&T State University. State: NC. ...
- Howard University. ...
- Prairie View A & M University. ...
- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. ...
- North Carolina Central University. ...
- Southern University and A & M College. ...
- Fayetteville State University.
(Spelman College and Morris Brown were founded in 1881.) The “youngest” four-year HBCU, a designation to mark schools founded before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community, is the University of Virgin Islands, which opened in 1962. Schools founded after 1964, like the Charles R.
Are there any 2 year HBCU? ›Two-year HBCUs are located in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina and DC.
What is the best HBCU academically? ›
- 1Spelman College.
- 2Howard University.
- 3Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
- 4West Virginia State University.
- 5North Carolina A & T State University.
One of the most common grade point average requirements is a 3.0 average. (Again, every scholarship provider is different and it's up to them to set their eligibility criteria, not us.) While some scholarships are based on a student's GPA, most scholarship aren't only about a student's GPA.
Which scholarship gives the most money? ›Miss America | Additional Information Amount Awarded: Varies, up to $12,000 Deadline: Varies |
---|---|
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation | Additional Information Amount Awarded: Up to $20,000 Deadline: August |
Buick Achievers | Additional Information Amount Awarded: $25,000 Deadline: Varies |
You're not being consistent
Many students will get inspiration to apply to scholarships and then quickly lose steam when they don't immediately see any wins. If you've applied to dozens of scholarships and haven't heard back the best thing you can do is: Set a monthly goal and consistently meet your target.
Report Highlights. Over 1.7 million scholarships are awarded annually. However, only 7% of college students will receive a scholarship. The U.S. Department of Education awards an estimated $46 billion in scholarship money annually.
Is it easy to receive scholarships? ›Very few students win $25,000 or more in scholarships each year (only about 0.1%). Among the students who win scholarships, 97% win $2,500 or less. Getting good grades and admissions test scores is not enough to win a free ride. It is hard to stand out from the crowd based on academic performance alone.
Is getting a full scholarship hard? ›How hard is it to get a full ride scholarship? Less than 1 percent of students get full ride scholarships, showing just how difficult it is to earn one. However, with the right background, proper planning and by knowing where to look, your chances of landing a full ride scholarship can increase.
What is the Black Harvard? ›Often called “Black Harvard” and “the Mecca,” Howard University is one of the most recognizable and elite of all the HBCUs. Howard University is known for many things, including: Its proximity to the U.S. capital and the extremely influential people who work there.
What is the whitest College in America? ›United States Colleges Ranked by Highest Percent of White Students. Below is a ranking of the 3581 colleges in the United States with the highest percent of white students. American Conservatory Theater tops the list with white students comprising 100% of the school's enrollment.
Are there any black Ivy League schools? ›There are, in fact, Black Ivy League colleges. They are Spelman College and Morehouse College.
Can a white person go to a HBCU? ›
Students of any race and ethnicity can apply for an HBCU, provided that they meet the grade requirements. Usually when applying for university in the US, you're required to fill out one application per school.
What is the most famous HBCU? ›The top 10 Best HBCUs (in order) are: Spelman College, Howard University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, West Virginia State University, North Carolina, A&T University, Grambling State University, Savannah State University, Southern State University and A&M College, Jackson State University and Norfolk ...
What is the blackest College in America? ›School | % Black |
---|---|
Spelman College Atlanta, GA | 95.8% |
South Carolina State University Orangeburg, SC | 95.8% |
Hampton University Hampton, VA | 95.2% |
Selma University Selma, AL | 94.2% |
Lemoyne-Owen College, in Tennessee, was burned to the ground in 1866 during a race massacre, after federal troops withdrew from the area.
Which HBCU was founded by a woman? ›Voorhees College Heritage: HBCU Founded by a Black Woman with $5,000 and 280 Acres. Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, born on August 18, 1872 near Talbotton, GA, is the founder of Voorhees College.
What state has the most black college? ›Howard University is the hardest HBCU to get into, with an acceptance rate of just 39%. If you're looking for a challenge, Howard is the school for you. Other hard-to-get-into HBCUs include Spelman College (53%), Philander Smith College (21%), and Wiley College (15%).
Do HBCU give full scholarships? ›Many HBCUs offer partial and full scholarships to enrolled students. Learners should inquire about these institutional scholarships when applying to college. Additionally, local chapters of Black fraternities and sororities, alumni chapters, and other organizations offer scholarships, including those described below.
What is the largest private HBCU? ›Howard University in Washington, D.C. is the nation's largest private HBCU. Howard offers over 120 subjects for you to study. Graduate programs at Howard include law, dentistry, medicine, engineering and divinity. The school boasts that it produces more African-American on-campus Ph.
What percent of Harvard is black? ›African American | 15.2% |
---|---|
Asian American | 27.9% |
Hispanic or Latino | 12.6% |
Native American | 2.9% |
Native Hawaiian | 0.8% |
What is the lowest Ivy League school? ›
What Are the Cheapest Ivy League Schools? The cheapest Ivy League schools include The University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, Dartmouth College, and Princeton University.
Which little ivy is easiest to get into? ›Based on the information provided above, you probably noticed that Cornell University has the highest acceptance rates out of all the Ivy League schools and can therefore be classified as the easiest Ivy league school to get into.
Which HBCU has the best marching band? ›Overall Rank | Auxiliary | Drum Major |
---|---|---|
1. Florida A&M University | 7 | 4 |
2. Bethune-Cookman University | 10 | 1 |
3. Norfolk State University | 4 | 7 |
4. Southern University | 1 | 5 |
- North Carolina Central University (NCCU) ...
- Tennessee State University (TSU) ...
- Jackson State University (JSU) ...
- Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) ...
- Howard University (HU) ...
- Florida A&M University (FAMU) ...
- Texas Southern University (TSU) ...
- North Carolina A&T State University (NCAT)
Xavier and Howard are the top two universities in the country when it comes to sending Black students to medical school, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.
What University gives the most scholarships? ›Rank | College | Students receiving need-based aid |
---|---|---|
1 | Columbia University | 2,973 |
2 | Yale University | 2,732 |
3 | Williams College | 1,014 |
4 | Amherst College | 1,066 |
- Coppin State University. Baltimore, MD. CSU offers its Golden Eagle Scholarship that covers tuition, fees and room/board. ...
- Benedict College. Columbia, S.C. ...
- Alabama State University. Montgomery, AL.
What GPA do you need to get into an HBCU? The typical GPAs for students accepted into many HBCUs schools range from 2.5-3.0. Other HBCUs may require higher GPAs. For example, students accepted at Hampton University and Florida A&M had average GPAs above 3.25.
What gets you a full ride to college? ›Most students earn full ride scholarships because of their academic history, athletic prowess, leadership or merit. But other types of these scholarships can be offered by schools for different reasons, and they can be offered by the school, state or federal government or by private organizations.
What GPA do you need to get a full scholarship? ›Although a strong GPA helps increase your chances of getting a full-ride scholarship, you don't need a perfect 4.0 to be qualified. In fact, GPA requirements are most commonly set at a 3.0 average, with what's considered to be a "good GPA" typically being a score between 3.5 and 3.8.
How can I get 100% scholarship in U.S. universities? ›
- Know where to look. ...
- Prepare in advance. ...
- Work hard and keep motivated. ...
- Make yourself stand out from other applicants. ...
- Read the application instructions carefully. ...
- Submit an exceptional scholarship essay or cover letter. ...
- Be realistic.