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.

At Bold.org, we stand committed to easing the financial strain on students through our scholarship platform. We offer a wide range of scholarships aimed at supporting students from all walks of life. By creating a free profile on Bold.org, students can unlock access to numerous scholarship opportunities, taking a significant step toward a more affordable and accessible higher education journey.

About Scholarships for Black Students

According to the Census' American Community Survey for 2021, 12% of the overall U.S. population identifies as black or African American. This group, like many other groups of people, on average, have access to less familial wealth, which can impact their ability to afford higher education. It's apparent that financial aid often doesn't go far enough for all students.

Unable to rely on familial support, more than 50% of black students use student loans to pay for school. In 2020, 36% of the 18–24-year-old black population were enrolled in college. The resulting financial burden of going to college is staggering.

In addition to having immense student debt to pay off, black students are typically stuck with their debt for a long period of time. Consequently, scholarships are a vital resource for black students.

Approximately 25% of college costs are funded by scholarships and grants. Scholarships can be earned in a variety of ways, by school, by field of study, by demographic group, by geographical region, and even through professional organizations.

How Important Is Higher Education for an African-American?

Only 29% of African-American adults between the ages of 25 and 29 have a bachelor’s degree or a more advanced college degree. Similarly, only 40% of black 25 to 29-year-olds have a two-year college degree or more.

The scholarships we provide for African-American students can help them pay for the degrees they desire and break into the field of their choice beyond the oppressive societal barriers seen today.

Bold scholarships for African-American students aim to provide financial support that can help you pursue the degree of your choice and overcome the societal barriers that exist today. By offering this assistance, we hope to help students enter the field they are passionate about and achieve their professional goals.

How Important Are African-American Scholarships?

Scholarships are a critical way for African-American students to pursue higher education with minimal student loans. By completing a degree, black students will have the opportunity to pursue careers in high-paying fields and paving the way for continued diversity in the U.S. workforce.

Scholarships for African-American students have a variety of requirements and award amounts, but they are all great opportunities that you can apply to for free on Bold.org.

Types of Scholarships Available to Black Students

There are many scholarship awards available for African American students, with 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

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.

Best Scholarships for Black Students

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, offering financial assistance to help first-generation students navigate the challenges of higher education. Apply now to take the first step towards a brighter future!

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. Don't miss out on these opportunities—apply today!

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. Secure your future and your family's—apply now!

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. Empower your journey—apply today!

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. Take the next step towards success—apply now!

Valedictorian Scholarships

Black students who are at the top of their class demonstrate academic capabilities and dedication beyond the average student. Depending on the GPA requirements for valedictorian at your school, you may be eligible for these valedictorian scholarships. Reward your academic efforts and apply now!

How to Find Scholarships for Black Students

You can start your scholarship search on Bold.org, where you can find hundreds of unique scholarship opportunities to help you attend college. You can sort scholarships by category, allowing you to find scholarships for black students pursuing specific fields.

At Bold.org, the possibilities for winning scholarships are endless, so it's advisable to commence your financial aid search early. black high school students have access to numerous scholarship opportunities, and this pursuit can extend well into higher education, covering even graduate-level studies.

Many students begin their scholarship search as high school students, and there are many scholarships designed specifically to help graduating high school seniors gain the necessary financial aid so that each student can pursue their undergraduate degree.

Are There STEM Scholarships for Black Students?

STEM is just one field where African-American workers are underrepresented. There are several scholarships on Bold.org specifically for African-American scholars in STEM. Check out these STEM scholarships now!

Are there scholarships on Bold.org for African-American students at HBCUs?

Historically Black Colleges and Universities are schools established prior to the 1964 Civil Rights Act and were created to give the black population access to higher education. HBCUs are still critical to the black community and though they make up only 3% of United States colleges, 10% of African American scholars attend an HBCU. Nearly 20% of black graduates come from HBCUs and 25% of African-Americans with STEM degrees graduate from an HBCU.

Even though HBCUs have lower costs than non-HBCUs, it can still be difficult for students to pay tuition, housing, and other fees. Bold.org encourages minority undergraduate students and minority graduate students to apply for scholarships. Our scholarships can be used toward HBCUs.

Should Black Students Only Apply for Scholarships with Ethnic Eligibility?

While the scholarships listed above as well as other scholarships specifically provided for black students are great opportunities, black students can also apply to more general scholarships. The limited eligibility from scholarships designed for African-American members will increase your chances of winning, but there are many other easy and helpful scholarships available for students to apply to. Check out our easy scholarships list for more opportunities

Are you a high school senior? Check out these exclusive Bold scholarships for high school seniors!

What Happens When I Win a Scholarship?

The scholarships listed above will go directly towards your tuition and will be sent to your financial aid office. If you’re a high school student, your award will be saved and sent to the college you choose for your education. Check out the terms for our scholarship opportunities for more information.

How Can I Improve My Chances of Winning Financial Aid?

There are many ways to increase your chances of securing financial aid so you can afford your college degree. On your profile, you can demonstrate financial need as well as your academic achievement to stand out when applying for scholarships. Applying early and often to scholarships can also boost your chances of winning college funding.

How Many Scholarships Can I Get?

If you're in need of financial support, look no further! There is no limit to the number of college scholarships you can win on Bold.org. Apply for as many scholarships as possible to maximize your winnings and offset your tuition costs. If you're in high school, you can start earning scholarships to use towards your undergraduate degree!