Top Scholarships for Black students with Upcoming Deadlines in May 2025

With college costs rising, paying for college has become even more challenging for all students, including black students. That's why scholarships for black students are important to help alleviate some of the high costs of higher education.

While scholarships for college or university can be competitive, it's important to note that, according to the Education Data Initiative, financial aid is attainable:

1. $4.0 billion in federal grant money went unclaimed in the 2023-2024 academic year.
2. 87.3% of first-time college students receive some kind of financial aid.

In this guide, we'll help you find financial aid and other scholarships you can use to fund your education. Focus your efforts by targeting the best scholarships for you, starting with:

1. Curated list of exclusive scholarships for Black students
2. Organizations and HBCUs that serve Black students
3. Tips for applying to and winning scholarships
4. High-dollar-amount awards for minority students (Thurgood Marshall Fund, etc.)

Whether it's leadership potential, community service experience, or academic prowess, something about you can make your financial aid application stand out. Keep reading to find out what opportunities you should apply for and how to optimize your application!

Apply for a free Bold.org profile today to find scholarship funding in minutes.

Best Scholarships for Black Students

1. First Generation Scholarships

First-generation scholarships provide crucial support for students who are the first in their families to attend college. These scholarships aim to break the cycle of educational inequality by offering financial assistance to help first-generation students navigate the challenges of higher education.

3. Scholarships for Parents

Scholarships for parents recognize the unique challenges faced by students who are also parents. Balancing academic responsibilities with parenting duties can be demanding, and these scholarships offer financial relief to ease the burden. By supporting parent-students, these scholarships enable them to pursue their educational dreams while providing for their families.

4. Scholarships for Black Women

Scholarships for Black women are dedicated to empowering Black female students in their pursuit of higher education. These scholarships address the specific challenges and barriers faced by Black women, offering financial assistance and support networks. They are available across various fields of study, encouraging Black women to excel in areas where they are traditionally underrepresented.

5. Scholarships for Men

Scholarships for Men support male students in their educational endeavors, particularly in fields where they are underrepresented or face significant barriers. These scholarships provide financial aid and often include mentorship programs, leadership training, and career development opportunities. By encouraging men to pursue higher education and excel in diverse disciplines, these scholarships contribute to a more balanced and inclusive academic environment.

Scholarships for Black Students by Major

1. Business Scholarships

Business scholarships are designed for aspiring entrepreneurs and future business leaders. These scholarships support students pursuing degrees in business administration, finance, marketing, and related fields. They not only provide financial aid but often include opportunities for networking, internships, and mentorship from established professionals in the industry.

2. Education Scholarships

These scholarship programs for future educators benefit not only those pursuing a teaching degree but also the students they'll guide in the future. In addition, minority high school seniors may appreciate having adults and faculty members in the building who represent their cultures and backgrounds.

3. Healthcare Scholarships

Lots of federal student aid is available for positions necessary to society, but hundreds of privately funded scholarships also exist. If you're a healthcare major, you'll be able to find opportunities for nurses, physician assistants, doctors, and more.

4. Chemistry Scholarships

Students who demonstrate academic excellence in chemistry may be eligible for these scholarships. Whether your focus is on organic chemistry, pharmaceuticals, or chemical engineering, these scholarships can help pave the way for higher education and graduate degrees.

5. Psychology Scholarships

Psychology is a diverse subject that can prepare Black students for research positions or medical roles. A strong academic performance in psychology can make you a competitive candidate for merit awards in this field, or for scholarships funded by professional organizations dedicated to uplifting psychology workers.

6. Math Scholarships

One of the most popular bachelor's degrees is mathematics—many college and university students in mathematics can go on to work in lucrative fields like quantitative finance, investment banking, and more. Math students who are enrolled full-time can apply for these scholarships.

Explore More Scholarships

1. Scholarships by Education Level
2. Scholarships by State
3. Scholarships by Ethnicity
4. Scholarships by Major
5. Scholarships by Type

College Tuition Over Time

Most students start preparing their college budget in their senior year of high school. College has become much more expensive over time, and the data support this—according to the National Center for Education Statistics and Education Data Initiative:

1. Total average cost of a 4-year institution in 2019-2020: $28,774
2. Total average cost of a 4-year institution in 2024-2025: $38,270
3. College costs at a 4-year institution have increased by 32.99% from 2020 to 2025.
4. College costs at a 4-year institution have increased by 196.27% from 2001 to 2025.

There are also statistics available for financial aid recipients organized by demographic information:

1. White students represent the largest share of financial aid recipients by race (47.9%).
2. Financial aid acceptance rate for Asian students: 65.5%
3. Financial aid acceptance rate for Black students: 80.6%

However, it's important to remember that several factors affect these numbers, and that racial minorities with a high financial aid acceptance rate are not necessarily over-funded as compared to other groups. Bold.org is dedicated to making education accessible for the next generation of students, regardless of racial background.

Types of Scholarships Available to Black Students

Many scholarship awards are available for African American students, some based on academic achievement, fields of study, or extracurricular experience.

Academic Merit-Based Scholarships

Some scholarship awards, called merit-based scholarships, seek to encourage students who demonstrate their academic achievements on their profiles. Scholarships with minimum GPA requirements, for example, aim to support eligible applicants who have maintained a high GPA throughout their education.

Level of Education

There are scholarships available to support black students in all levels of education. Many scholarships are aimed toward black high school seniors or college students. There are plenty of scholarships available for undergraduate students, high school students, and even graduate students!

Major-Based Scholarships

Major-based scholarships are open to any student in a certain field of study, such as students pursuing computer science or entrepreneurship. Finding scholarships for African American students that also have major restrictions will improve your chances of receiving scholarship awards, as there will be fewer eligible applicants.

How to Qualify for African American Scholarships on Bold.org

To start applying for minority scholarships, simply create your free Bold.org profile by clicking on any of the scholarships above. Then, you can filter the scholarships by category to find scholarships that you're eligible for. Choosing the "Diversity and Inclusion" category will provide you with a list of scholarships for African American students and other historically underrepresented groups.

Some scholarships will have additional requirements, such as requiring that applicants demonstrate financial need, are undergraduate students, are African American women, are graduating high school seniors, etc. The eligibility requirements of each scholarship will be listed in the description.

How to Apply for Scholarships for Black Students

Applying for scholarships is a key step in making college more affordable, and for Black college students, numerous scholarships celebrate cultural identity, leadership, academic excellence, and community impact. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you successfully apply:

1. Start Early and Stay Organized

Begin searching for scholarships as early as your junior year of high school. Use online platforms to find opportunities specifically for Black students. Remember to also look at local scholarships through your financial aid office or community organizations. Your scholarship search will be most successful when you utilize every available avenue. Create a spreadsheet to track deadlines, requirements, and application status.

2. Gather Key Documents

Most scholarships require similar materials:

1. Transcripts
2. Letters of recommendation
3. Personal statements
4. Proof of financial need (such as FAFSA results)

Keep digital copies of these documents ready so you can apply efficiently.

3. Tailor Your Personal Statement

Your personal statement is one of the most important parts of your application. Highlight your academic achievements, leadership roles, community service, and how your cultural identity has shaped your goals. Transfer students, returning students, and other applicants with non-traditional experiences should point these out in their essays. Make sure each essay is tailored to the specific scholarship’s mission.

4. Request Recommendations Thoughtfully

Choose teachers, mentors, or community leaders who know you well. Give them at least 2–3 weeks to write a strong recommendation and provide them with your resume or a summary of your accomplishments.

Tips on Applying for Scholarships as a Black Student

While the application process is fairly standard, there are smart strategies that can give Black college students a competitive edge when applying for scholarships. Here are some practical tips to boost your chances:

1. Focus on Identity-Based Scholarships for African American Students

Look for scholarships that specifically support Black students, first-generation college students, or those from underrepresented backgrounds. Organizations like the NAACP, United Negro College Fund, and Jack and Jill Foundation often offer opportunities tailored to your experiences and goals. Students may need to demonstrate financial need or proof that they are permanent residents to apply.

2. Customize Every Financial Aid Application

Avoid using generic essays. Customize each personal statement to reflect how you align with the scholarship’s mission. If a scholarship emphasizes leadership or social justice, include specific examples of how you've led or contributed to community progress.

3. Highlight Overlooked Strengths

Academic achievement is just one part of a strong application. Many scholarships value community service, creative talent, resilience, or activism. Be sure to mention life experiences and achievements that show your unique perspective and determination.

4. Don't Fear Rejection—Learn From It

You won’t win every scholarship, but each application is practice. If possible, ask for feedback and use it to strengthen future submissions.

Applying for scholarships is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay consistent, put your authentic self forward, and keep building on every application you submit.

Additional Resources to Find Scholarships for Black Students

1. The Gates Scholarship

Created by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this scholarship covers the full cost of attendance for minority students who demonstrate leadership, academic achievement, and financial need. Annual scholarships like this one can provide support for the bulk of your tuition fees.

2. The Coca-Cola Scholars Program

Recognizing students for their leadership skills, dedication to community service, and academic achievements, this scholarship grants funding to 150 high school seniors every year. The Coca-Cola scholars foundation seeks to provide financial support to high achieving students so that they can focus on their studies, not how to afford an education.

3. Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund

The Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund aims to uplift HBCUs and Black students, hosting a variety of awards and scholarships such as the Descendants Truth and Reconciliation Foundation Scholarship. For the Descendants Scholarship, applicants must have received a verification or certification number after submitting an application approved by the GU272 Descendants Association. However, the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund hosts other awards with different requirements as well.

Minority students are encouraged to apply for numerous scholarships. For more information about college education or scholarship opportunities, browse the Bold Student Blog!