Crowned to Lead HBCU Scholarship
Today’s young students are the future of their families, communities, and the world—carrying the potential to lead with vision, compassion, and strength.
Yet for many, especially young women of color, that potential is often limited by financial barriers and a lack of access to the leadership development opportunities they deserve. Without the support, encouragement, and resources to pursue higher education, too many promising leaders are left unseen and unheard—despite the power within them to create lasting change.
The Crowned to Lead HBCU Scholarship exists to change that narrative by supporting and celebrating young women of color who are boldly stepping into leadership—both on campus and in their communities. This scholarship is not just about funding college; it’s about investing in the next generation of courageous, purpose-driven leaders who are ready to rise and make a difference.
Any BIPOC female high school senior or college freshman who has been accepted to or is currently attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) may apply for this scholarship opportunity if she has at least a 2.8 GPA and if demonstrates leadership, courage, and purpose in action.
To apply, submit an essay or video in response to the prompt below. If you submit a video response, write “Submitted via a video link” in the essay response box.
Crown Worthy Moments
Tell us about a time when you realized you were stronger, wiser, or more capable than you thought. What did you begin to see in yourself that others might not have seen at first? How did that experience shape the way you lead or serve others today?
We’re looking for honest stories that show how your personal growth has helped you become the kind of leader who uplifts, inspires, or supports the people around you.
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FAQ
The application deadline is Oct 7, 2025. Winners will be announced on Nov 7, 2025.
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Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Nov 7, 2025. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.