Scholarships for HBCU Students (2025)

In 2025, HBCU scholarships for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities are more critical than ever. These financial aids are crucial in helping students overcome economic hurdles and access higher education.

As cultural and intellectual growth centers, HBCUs are an important part of the African American community. This year, the variety of scholarships available caters to a wide range of interests and fields, demonstrating a commitment to supporting students' ambitions across disciplines. Beyond covering tuition, these funds increasingly address comprehensive educational expenses, offering holistic support.

What are HBCUs?

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are pivotal educational institutions established primarily to serve the African American community. Founded in an era when segregation barred Black students from most American colleges, HBCUs offered a pathway to higher education and equality.

These institutions have helped to shape leaders across various fields, reflecting their deep commitment to academic excellence and cultural empowerment. Beyond providing education, HBCUs foster a nurturing environment that celebrates heritage and builds strong community bonds.

Today, HBCUs continue to be instrumental in advancing higher education within the African American community. They stand as symbols of resilience and progress, bridging educational gaps and contributing to social and economic empowerment. Their enduring impact highlights their vital role in the American educational system.

Top scholarship programs for HBCU students

2025 offers a rich array of scholarship programs for students at HBCUs, with several organizations and institutions providing significant financial support.

• United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is one of the most renowned organizations offering scholarships to African American students, including those attending HBCUs. They provide a variety of scholarships, each with its own eligibility criteria and application process.
• Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) offers scholarships like the Toyota Scholars Plus HBCU Scholarship for full-time undergraduate students at HBCUs. This program provides substantial financial support, helping cover tuition and other educational expenses.
• The Joshua David Gardner Memorial Scholarship Endowment offers financial aid to undergraduates at HBCUs.
• The Interpublic Group Scholarship, awarded by New York Women in Communications, provides ethnically diverse students with financial aid and internship opportunities. Recipients can also network with female leaders and industry experts for career mentorship.
• The Dr. Joseph A. Towles African Study Abroad Scholarship assists students at UNCF institutions in studying at a university within Africa.
• The CATALYSTS Scholarship provides financial aid to HBCU students with a focus on leadership, academic achievement, and community involvement.
• Department of Defense Scholarships offer financial aid to students pursuing careers in fields that are vital to national security, including engineering, computer science, and other technical disciplines.
• The Ron Brown Scholar Program is a prestigious national scholarship program that provides support to African American students of exceptional academic and leadership potential, regardless of the school they attend.
• The Linda Hicks Memorial Scholarship provides financial aid to students from underserved communities pursuing higher education, with a focus on community involvement and leadership development.

Specific HBCU scholarships

Many HBCUs themselves offer scholarships to their students. For example, Spelman College, Howard University, and Morehouse College have scholarship funds that cater specifically to their student bodies. These scholarships often focus on academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement.

Check with any HBCU you're interested in attending to see what scholarships they may offer.

Specialized scholarships

2025 offers a variety of specialized scholarships for HBCU students, catering to specific fields like computer science and social justice, as well as those promoting community service and mentoring. Here is a selection of top options to choose from:

• The Baxter HBCU STEM Scholars Program, a collaboration between the TMCF and Baxter International Foundation, focuses on supporting students at HBCUs pursuing STEM careers, including computer science. This program offers financial support and mentoring, addressing challenges to increase graduation rates and early career success.
• Adobe's HBCU Ignite Scholarship from TMCF supports diverse perspectives in the tech industry and is for students who need tuition assistance. Recipients will also be paired with an Adobe employee mentor, providing personalized guidance and support over the 10-month program.
• The AFSCME Union Scholars Program Summer Internship offers an eight-week summer internship and scholarship for students of color passionate about social justice, particularly workers' rights.
• The 100 Black Men of America Annual Scholarship offers scholarships to students involved with their local 100 Black Men chapter, focusing on mentoring and community engagement.
• The McDonald's Black and Positively Golden Scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students attending TMCF-member HBCUs and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). It focuses on financial need and mental health support.
• Olay Face the STEM Gap Scholarship is for female students pursuing STEM careers. It aims to reduce gender disparities in STEM fields.
• Apple HBCU Scholars Program offers scholarships and mentoring to HBCU students pursuing careers in technology and STEM, as well as opportunities for internships at Apple.
• Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship provides scholarships to Black students interested in pursuing careers in technology, engineering, or computer science.
• ACS Scholars Program supports underrepresented minority students majoring in chemistry-related fields, offering financial aid and mentoring.

Scholarships like these provide financial support and foster mentorship, professional development, and engagement in significant societal issues. They reflect a growing commitment to diversifying fields like technology and social justice and emphasize the importance of community involvement and leadership development among HBCU students.

Comparing different scholarship types and financial aid 

Understanding the differences between need-based scholarships and financial aid versus merit-based awards is crucial when navigating college financing. Let's go over each option.

Need-based scholarships and financial aid 

These are primarily designed to assist students who demonstrate an economic necessity. These funds are allocated to ensure that students who might not otherwise afford college have an opportunity to pursue higher education. The amount of aid offered often depends on a family's income, assets, and financial obligations, including the number of family members currently attending college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) plays a pivotal role in securing this type of financial aid. By completing the FAFSA, students provide the financial information that colleges and universities need to determine their eligibility for need-based aid. Nearly all two-year and four-year colleges, universities, and career schools use the FAFSA to award federal, state, and college-funded student aid.

Merit-based scholarships

These are awarded based on a student's achievements, skills, or talents without considering their financial need. Academic performance, artistic or athletic abilities, community service, and extracurricular activities are often considered when awarding these scholarships.

While merit-based scholarships reward individual accomplishments, need-based scholarships aim to promote educational access and equity. 

It's not uncommon for students to receive a combination of both need-based and merit-based aid, offering a more comprehensive financial support system. This blended approach ensures that students are recognized for their achievements while also addressing their financial needs, fostering a diverse and inclusive academic environment.

Understanding scholarship eligibility

Navigating the scholarship eligibility process is a pivotal step for high school seniors, graduate students, and those pursuing a college degree. 

General scholarship eligibility requirements include:

• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Most scholarships require applicants to be either U.S. citizens or permanent residents. This criterion ensures that financial assistance is allocated to students legally residing in the country.
• Minimum GPA. Academic performance often plays a significant role in scholarship eligibility. A minimum GPA is usually set to ensure the scholarship award goes to students who have demonstrated a commitment to their studies. This GPA requirement varies depending on the specific scholarship.
• Enrollment in an accredited institution. Whether for high school students aiming for college or current college students, being enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited institution is typically a necessity. This includes universities, community colleges, and sometimes trade schools.
• Specific demographics or interests. Some scholarships target specific groups such as residents of a particular state, students attending or planning to attend an HBCU, or those pursuing specific fields of study (like those supported by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).

The scholarship application process

The application process for scholarships is equally crucial for accessing financial aid opportunities. 

Here are the steps involved in the scholarship application process:

• Research and identify opportunities. The first step is to identify scholarship opportunities that match your eligibility. This includes local scholarships in places like Washington, D.C., or state-specific ones in areas like Georgia or North Carolina.
• Prepare necessary documents. Most applications require transcripts, a resume, recommendation letters, and sometimes a personal statement or essay. High school seniors and graduate students should gather these materials well in advance.
• Complete the application form. Be sure to fill out the application with accurate and up-to-date information. Attention to detail is crucial to avoid disqualification for small errors.
• Write a compelling essay or personal statement. If required, write an essay or personal statement that distinctly reflects your aspirations, achievements, and the reasons why you deserve the scholarship.
• Submit before deadlines. Ensure that all parts of the application, including supporting documents, are submitted before the deadline. Late submissions are typically not considered.
• Follow up. After submission, it's appropriate to follow up, particularly if you haven't received an acknowledgment of receipt.

While securing scholarships can significantly reduce the reliance on student loans, the process demands careful attention to detail and adherence to each scholarship's specific requirements. For many, the effort invested in applying for scholarships is well worth the potential of receiving financial assistance to support their educational goals.

Finding scholarships for HBCU students

Scholarships are vital for HBCU students, offering financial relief and opening doors to educational and career opportunities. They are particularly significant in supporting the ambitions of African American students, helping to alleviate financial burdens, and encouraging academic and professional achievements.

The commitment to education within the African American community continues through scholarships, mentorship, and community engagement. These efforts are essential in sustaining the legacy of HBCUs and empowering future generations.

Visit College Rover for guidance and support in making informed decisions about your educational journey.

College Rover gets the majority of its data directly from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE publishing schedule "lags" the most current data which some colleges post on their official websites. This may cause there to be a difference in the data you see on College Rover and an individual college website. College Rover's website is updated as the DOE data becomes available and is configured for the College Rover website.