30+ Best Scholarships for Black Students to Apply for in 2022
Receiving a college scholarship changed my life.
Anyone who has the desire, passion, and dedicated work ethic should have the opportunity to attend college. However, financial strains and the fear of debt hinders many people, especially students of color, from pursuing a higher education. The purpose of my blog has always been to help young people achieve their dreams debt-free. Here’s a list of scholarships available in 2022 for students who are Black, African-American, Caribbean-American, and African.
I’ve spent hours researching these scholarships. I can tell you now, you won’t qualify for all of them but I’m sure there’s at least five you can apply for. Did you know an estimated $100 million in scholarship money goes unawarded each year because of a lack of applicants! Remember, you have a much better chance of winning small scholarships (of lesser amounts) than huge scholarships (of greater amounts). Make it your priority to apply for at least two scholarships a month whether you are currently in high school or college.
One of my favorite quotes is from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He said, “Time itself is neutral; it can be used either destructively or constructively.” Use your time wisely. Carve out a plan to apply for multiple scholarships. The work you put in today will greatly pay off for you in the future.
If your company or organization has a scholarship for minority students and would like to be added to this list, please email me at info@girlwithdrive.com.
This post is all about scholarships for Black students.
JANUARY 2022
I Have a Dream Scholarship
About: Unigo’s I Have a Dream Scholarship encourages students to dream bigger. The essay-based scholarship offers one student $1,500 to go towards their education.
Eligibility: Must be at least 14 years old and a U.S. legal resident
Requirements: Write an essay in 250 words or less on this prompt:
- “We want to know… what do you dream about? Whether it’s some bizarre dream you had last week, or your hopes for the future, share your dreams with us for a chance to win $1,500 for college.”
Deadline: January 31, 2022
Apply here: https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships/i-have-a-dream-scholarship
FEBRUARY 2022
Normandie Cormier Greater is Now Scholarship
About: Normandie Cormier is an amazing young woman who won more than $8 million dollars in college scholarships. She started this scholarship to give disadvantaged high schoolers an opportunity to attend college. The award amount is $575.
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or hold a permanent resident visa card. Be a graduating high school senior (or home-school student) at the time of your application, with at least a 3.0 GPA. Students must exhibit exceptional leadership/service in school or community and have the drive to make a change in the world. You also need to demonstrate financial need.
Requirements: Write an essay to the following prompt:
- Write about a time when you overcame adversity and how it’s influenced the person you are today.
Deadline: Feb. 1, 2022
Apply here: https://bold.org/scholarships/normandie-cormier-greater-is-now-scholarship/
Dr. Gussie M. Ware Memorial Scholarship
About: During her beautiful life, Gussie Mae Ware assisted young Black women in their pursuit for higher education by setting up a scholarship fund at different Illinois organizations. She was an educator and earned her Doctorate in Early Childhood Education from Northern Illinois University. She was a world traveler, learned Portuguese with a family in Brazil, and learned to ice skate after 50.
Eligibility: You must be a Black female with a permanent address in Winnebago County or is a relative of Dr. Gussie M. Ware. You must have a cumulative 2.5/4.0 GPA and be graduating high school senior or entering your first year of college.
Requirements: Write an essay based on this prompt:
- “Taking into consideration the background and criteria of this scholarship, why are you the best candidate to receive it? You may want to discuss your past academic or personal achievements, leadership skills, community and school involvement, or obstacles you’ve overcome.”
Deadline: February 1, 2022
Apply here: https://www.cfnil.org/scholarships/dr-gussie-m-ware-memorial-scholarship
The Roothbert Fund
About: This scholarship seeks candidates motivated by spiritual values. Awards are typically $5,000 to $7,000 and may be renewed for subsequent years.
Eligibility: Preference for graduate students and undergraduates with one year of college completed. Preference to candidates who reside in or attend schools in these states: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia. Candidate’s daily actions should be guided by spiritual motives.
Requirements: Online application, transcript, three essays, and three letters of recommendation.
Deadline: February 1, 2022
Apply here: https://www.roothbertfund.org/scholarships
Anthony Hunter Community Service Scholarship
About: In honor of mentor and role model Anthony Hunter, this $2,000 scholarship will go to one Black male high school senior who is active in their community and does ongoing community service “unselfishly, humbly, and truly to help others.”
Eligibility: Must be a Black male in the 12th grade.
Requirements: Submit a 400-600 word essay on this prompt:
- Where are you from? What are the ways in which you support your community that are relevant to your community? How do you hope your college studies will impact your mission to provide for your community?
Deadline: February 1, 2022
Apply here: https://bold.org/scholarships/anthony-hunter-community-service-scholarship/
RTDNF Carole Simpson Scholarship
About: Carole Simpson was the first woman to broadcast news in Chicago and was the first African American woman to anchor a network TV evening newscast. Since 1991, her scholarship has helped minority students overcome hurdles along their career path in electronic journalism. The recipient of the Carole Simpson Scholarship will receive $2,000 and an invitation to the RTDNA (Radio Television Digital News Foundation) conference.
Eligibility: Students who will be full-time college sophomores, juniors or seniors at the time the scholarship is awarded. You must be pursuing a career in radio, television, or digital journalism.
Requirements: Completed application, 3-5 links to work samples, cover letter, resume, and letter of recommendation.
Deadline: February 3, 2022
Apply here: https://www.rtdna.org/content/carole_simpson_scholarship
Hyatt Hotels Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students
About: This $3,000 competition-based scholarship was established in 1988 and provides financial aid to minority students pursuing a degree in hotel management.
Eligibility: You must be at least a junior pursuing a baccalaureate hospitality management degree at a U.S. college or university. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Requirements: Applicants must complete all sections of the Foundation scholarship application.
Deadline: Mid-February, 2022
Apply here: https://www.ahlafoundation.org/academic-scholarships
Feeding Student Success Scholarship Program
About: In 2020, Whataburger announced their Feeding Student Success Scholarship Program to help students pay for college or trade school. The scholarship will be awarded to 120 students and recipients will receive a non-renewable $5,000 scholarship to be used for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and housing for the 2022-2023 academic school year. The first round of funding will be awarded to Black and minority students.
Eligibility: High school and college students must have at least a 2.5 GPA
Requirements: Online application
Deadline: Feb. 15, 2022
Cyrilla Olapeju Sanni Scholarship Fund
About: This $500 scholarship helps African students who are struggling financially to fund their education.
Eligibility: Any low-income African student with a 3.0 GPA or higher who migrated from Africa to the U.S. or is the child of a parent who migrated from Africa to the U.S. may apply.
Requirements: Write a 400-600 word essay on the topic:
- “Please tell us about the greatest challenge your family faced when coming to the US and how that challenge has shaped who you are today?”
Deadline: February 20, 2022
Apply here: https://bold.org/scholarships/cyrilla-olapeju-sanni-scholarship-fund/
Dr. Arnita Young-Boswell Scholarship
About: Dr. Arnita Young-Boswell was a social justice activist, professor, and social worker in Chicago. She founded the National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc., which was established as a support base for black female activists. Dr. Boswell worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and served as Chair of the Chicago Civil Rights March. This $1,000 scholarship honors African-American students who have demonstrated academic excellence.
Eligibility: Students must be an African-American graduating high school senior with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better.
Requirements: Verification of at least 200 hours of community service, two (2) Letters of Recommendation (Letters from family members are not acceptable.), a recent photo with their full name listed on back, and proof of acceptance at an accredited college or university.
You must also write a 450 to 500-word, typed, and double-spaced essay on one of these topics:
- One of the goals of NHBW, Inc. is to provide a means to build better communities through service activities. Describe a community service organization and/or activity you have been involved in and why.
- NHBW, Inc. works throughout the year to assist students in attaining their personal goals. Describe your goals for the future and how this scholarship will assist you in attaining your goals.
Deadline: February 28, 2022
Apply here: https://storage.googleapis.com/wzukusers/user-34953889/documents/64c95856252140ea9c3580b4a73d6fc5/2022%20Dr.%20Boswell%20Scholarship%20Application.pdf (Applications must be mailed)
The LAGRANT Foundation Scholarship
About: This $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to thirty undergraduate recipients. They will also receive a trip to New York City to participate in career-building activities and professional development workshops.
Eligibility: Must be a full-time minority student currently attending an accredited four-year university or college. Students must major in a field of study that has an emphasis on advertising, marketing, or public relations.
Requirements: Completed online application, reference letter from a college professor or internship advisor, transcript, headshot, and essay.
Deadline: February 28, 2022
Apply here: https://www.lagrantfoundation.org/Undergraduate%20Scholarships
MARCH 2022
ACS Scholars Program
About: The American Chemical Society offers renewable scholarships to undergraduate students from historically underrepresented groups in the chemical sciences. Selected recipients are awarded up to $5,000 per academic year.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are African-American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, or American Indian. You must be a graduating high school senior or college freshman, sophomore, or junior. Seniors can apply for their fifth year. Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA and intend or are already majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemical technology, or another chemistry-related science and planning to pursue a career in a chemistry-related science.
Requirements: Students must submit their official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and Student Aid Report (which is sent to you after filling out the FASFA form)
Deadline: March 1, 2022
Apply here: https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/acs-scholars/apply.html
Giving Back to the Future Scholarship
About: Founded by Demetrious Baylis, this scholarship aims to support African American undergraduate students who are dedicated to using their platform to give back to their community in some way after graduation. There will be two winners for this scholarship each receiving $922.
Eligibility: Any undergraduate African American student who has volunteering experience and plans to give back to their community
Requirements: Write a 400-600 word essay on the following topic:
- “Please tell us a bit about yourself, why giving back is so important for our people, and how you plan to use your platform to give back to your community 3-5 years down the line.”
Deadline: March 3, 2022
Apply here: https://bold.org/scholarships/giving-back-to-the-future-scholarship/
Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship
About: The BAM Scholarship was created to help Black and African American students attend college and pursue a career in technology. There are various award amounts given to 27 students every year.
Eligibility: Students must be a U.S.-based high school senior of African descent (such as, African American, African, Ethiopian, etc.). You plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree beginning Fall 2022 in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or select business programs (such as finance, business administration, or marketing). You must have a cumulative 3.3 GPA or higher and require financial assistance to attend college.
Requirements: Submit two letters of recommendation, a resumé, a picture of yourself, transcript, and two essays (prompts listed below).
- In 500 words or less, describe how you plan to engage in the technology industry in your future career. (If you have done exemplary work using technology during high school, please describe that also.)
- In no more than 250 words, demonstrate your financial need for this scholarship.
Deadline: March 15, 2022
Apply here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/diversity/programs/bam-scholarship.aspx
NHSS STEAM Scholarship
About: The National Society of High School Scholars offers ten $1,000 scholarship awards to High school seniors.
Requirements: 12th graders planning to major in a STEAM field (science/medicine, technology, engineering, arts, or mathematics).
Eligibility: Submit a headshot, academic resumé, transcript (official or unofficial), educator recommendation, and a 500-800 word essay on this prompt:
- Why STEAM? What drew you to pursue a career in a STEAM field? What are your career aspirations related to your major? Provide us with specific examples of your dedication to this field.
Deadline: March 15, 2022
Apply here: https://www.nshss.org/scholarships/s/nshss-steam-scholarships/
Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program
About: The Fontana Transport Inc. is a California-based family-owned trucking company whose owners are passionate about education and helping future leaders pursue a higher education degree. Their scholar’s program is open to underrepresented, low-income, and first-generation college-bound students.
Eligibility: Students must be graduating high school and have plans to pursue an undergraduate degree full-time in transportation, math, science, engineering, architecture, environmental design, PreMed, psychology, or Spanish language/literature. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen, but you must have a minimum 3.5 weighted GPA. A letter of recommendation from a faculty member is not required but highly recommended.
Requirements: Fill out online application
Deadline: March 18, 2022
Apply here: https://www.fontanatransportincscholarsprogram.com/registration-form
Ezekiel Taylor Scholarship Foundation Scholarship
About: Named after the late Ezekiel Taylor, this scholarship offers financial assistance to African-American males in the Chicago area who attend, or seek to attend, a college or trade school.
Eligibility: Applicants must be African-American high school male seniors who reside in Cook County, Illionis. Students must have a 2.5 GPA and plan to attend an accredited 2-year college, 4-year college/university or a trade school.
Requirements: Fill out online application
Deadline: March 25, 2022
Apply here: https://eztaylor.org/
Renee Scholarship
About: This video scholarship is to support students looking to find themselves and their niche at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Two winners will win $525.
Eligibility: Open to all students attending an HBCU.
Requirements: Submit a 1-2 minute video link talking about yourself and what you’d like to accomplish in your career.
Deadline: March 30, 2022
Apply here: https://bold.org/scholarships/renee-scholarship/
Boyd Undergraduate Scholarship
About: The R.H. Boyd family began their scholarships and grants in order to promote knowledge and participation in African-American heritage and culture. This award totals $1,000 and students can reapply yearly during college.
Eligibility: Current high school seniors with a minimum 3.2 GPA who will start college in Fall 2022. Applicant must major in finance, business administration, journalism, theology, history, English, computer science, or related fields at his or her college or university.
Requirements: Complete the application and write a 3–5 page double-spaced essay addressing the following topics:
- Why is education important to you? How has your upbringing impacted your decision to pursue higher education? How has your faith impacted your life? How do you define success? Why should you be awarded the R.H. Boyd Endowment Scholarship? What are your professional aspirations and why?
Deadline: March 31, 2022 (Applications must be mailed in)
APRIL 2022
The Herbert Lehman Scholarship
About: The Herbert Lehman Education Program supports talented undergraduate students with financial need to stay in school. The mission is to help transform the promise of racial equality into a social, economic, and political reality. The scholarship provides $3,000 per year for four years of full-time study.
Eligibility: Students must be U.S. citizens who will attend a four-year university or college.
Requirements: Must submit FASFA application and have a family income of $65,000 or less.
Deadline: April 1, 2022
Apply here: https://www.naacpldf.org/about-us/scholarships/herbert-lehman-education-fund-scholarship/
American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship
About: The AFSA helps educate the public about the life-saving properties of automatic fire sprinklers. Ten winners will receive a scholarship of $2,000 each.
Eligibility: This scholarship is open to high school seniors who are citizens or aliens legally residing in the USA.
Requirements: Entrants must submit a completed entry form. Scholarship winners are randomly selected by computer-generated drawing from among valid entries.
Deadline: April 1, 2022
Apply here: https://www.afsascholarship.org/high-school-contest/hsstep1/
ABA Diversity Scholarship
About: The American Bus Association offers many scholarships to promote academic excellence and diversity in the motorcoach travel and tour industry. Their Diversity Scholarship focuses on broadening the number of traditionally underrepresented groups in the management and operation ranks of the transportation, travel, and tourism industry. Winners will receive a $5,000 scholarship.
Eligibility: Students must be a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student at an accredited college or university. You must have a declared major or course of study relevant to the travel and tourism industry. Their website states, “Travel and tourism encompass a varying range of professions from accounting to hospitality management and everything in between. In other words, please apply rather than ruling yourself out because of your major.”
Requirements: Write a 500-word essay on the following topic:
- Discuss the role you hope to play in advancing the future of the transportation, motorcoach, travel, and tourism/hospitality industry.
Deadline: April 1, 2022
Apply here: https://www.buses.org/aba-foundation/scholarships/diversity
KnowBe4 Scholarship for Black Americans in Cybersecurity
About: KnowBe4, Inc. is provides security awareness training and a simulated phishing platform. One winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship to be applied to tuition, fees, books, electronics and up to $3,000 may be applied to on-campus housing. Scholarship funds may be paid all at once or spread out over multiple semesters including a summer session.
Eligibility: Students must be a Black U.S. citizen pursuing, or planning to pursue, a degree with a focus on cybersecurity or information assurance. You must be an undergraduate freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student in 2022. A cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 is required. Students can be attending college full-time or part-time, online, or on campus.
Requirements: Unofficial transcripts from your current (or most recent) educational institution, one letter of recommendation, resumé, written answers to the following questions”
- Describe your personal and educational background and accomplishments.
- Tell us how this scholarship will make a difference in your cybersecurity career path. What would receiving this scholarship mean to you?
- Why are you interested in cybersecurity and what are your professional aspirations?
- Describe your contributions or involvement in the cybersecurity field: volunteer work, articles, conferences, chapters, books, podcasts, YouTube, etc. (Do not include links).
- What makes you the best candidate to receive this scholarship? Describe what makes you stand out from your peers.
- Please tell us anything else you would like us to know about you in consideration of your application. Include hobbies or extracurricular activities and what they mean to you.
Deadline: April 18, 2022
Apply here: https://iamcybersafe.org/s/knowbe4-black-americans-scholarship
Stephen Feinberg Multi-Year Scholarship Program
About: This scholarship through the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation recognizes talented and highly motivated African-American or Black students pursuing an undergraduate degree in all discipline areas. It is a renewable scholarship for up to four years.
Eligibility: Students must be a U.S. citizen/legal permanent resident, preparing to pursue, or currently pursuing, an undergraduate degree full-time at an accredited college or university. (Current high school seniors are also eligible to apply). Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA on 4.0 scale and exhibit leadership.
Requirements: Complete online application, submit two letters of recommendation, transcripts, resumé, a professional photo, and video personal response to this prompt:
- Discuss your academic interests and/or professional goals and how you will make change in your community with your education.
Deadline: April 30, 2022
Apply here: https://cbcfinc.academicworks.com/opportunities/933
Mae & Mary Legacy Foundation, Inc. Scholarship
About: This scholarship is for African-American students pursuing careers in the health care profession. Its mission is to financially assist exceptional students who have demonstrated commitment, perseverance, and enthusiasm in continuing their education despite hardships in their lives. Scholarships and prizes will vary annually and are based on academic excellence and financial need.
Eligibility: Applicants must be graduating high school seniors and can be from anywhere in the U.S.
Requirements: Create one file with your recent photo, cover letter and resume, two letters of recommendation, transcript, a copy of your college letter of acceptance (if available), and a one-page personal essay on a topic of your choice.
Deadline: April 30, 2022
Apply here: https://www.maeandmarylegacyfoundation.org/apply
Craig D. Butler Scholarship Foundation
About: This scholarship was established to honor the life of Craig D. Butler who was a father and veteran. The scholarship aims to assist young adults from under-served populations to pursue higher education. This is a one-time award of $1,000.
Eligibility: Students must be an African-American resident of Philadelphia County at the time of application or attending a Philadelphia High School. They must have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and will be entering a two or four-year college/university as a full-time freshman student in the fall or entering an accredited vocational-technical school full-time.
Requirements: Submit scholarship application, official transcript, SAT or ACT scores, two letters of recommendation, and typed essay on why you applied for this scholarship and why you feel you are a good candidate for the award.
Deadline: April 15, 2022
Apply here: https://www.craigdbutlerscholarship.com/
MAY 2022
Carrington-Philbert Scholarship program
About: The grandchildren of Malcolm Carrington and Sherwin Bridgewater established a scholarship in their honor to help students pursuing academic excellence. It is a one-time $2,500 award to an entering U.S. college/university freshman.
Eligibility: Students must be African-American and planning to enroll in a two-year community college or four-year university. Applicants must also submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher/principal and headshot photo.
Requirements: Write a 250-500 word essay addressing the following prompt:
- “What has been the driving force for you to pursue a higher education? What are your passions and how do you plan to ensure you follow them?”
Deadline: May 1, 2022
Apply here: https://www.cpscholarship.com/apply-for-usa/
Scholarship for Journalism Diversity Honoring Julie Schoo
About: The National Press Club offers a $5,000 renewable scholarship for future journalists who will bring diversity to American journalism.
Eligibility: This scholarship is available for international and U.S. minority high school seniors who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in journalism.
Requirements: Completed application form, essay, and three letters of recommendation.
Deadline: May 2, 2022
Apply here: https://www.press.org/journalism-diversity
JUNE 2022
Delete Cyberbullying Scholarship Award
About: This essay scholarship is open to all high school, college, and graduate students who plans to attend college. It started in an effort to get students committed to ending cyberbullying. The award amount is $1,000.
Eligibility: Must be a high school student (9th-12th grader), college student or graduate student attending or planning to enter an accredited U.S. college or university.
Requirements: Answer ONE of the following questions in 500 words or less.
- Option 1: “Why is it important to work to delete cyberbullying?”
- Option 2: “How has cyberbullying personally affected you?”
Deadline: June 30, 2022
Apply here: https://www.endcyberbullying.net/scholarship
Do-Over Scholarship
About: Unigo’s Do-Over Scholarship is about looking at your past mistakes and the lessons you learned. One winner will be awarded $1,500.
Eligibility: Open to all U.S. students (citizens and residents) who are at least 14-years-old.
Requirements: Write 250 words or less to this question:
- “If you could get one ‘do-over’ in life, what would it be and why?”
Deadline: June 30, 2022
Apply here: https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/our-scholarships/do-over-scholarship
JULY 2022
My Alarm Center Scholarship
About: This security-focused essay scholarship, is for a student looking to make their neighborhoods safer. It is a $1,000 scholarship to go towards college tuition.
Eligibility: Applicants must be a graduating high school senior or freshman/sophomore in college who is studying public safety, law enforcement, law, criminal justice, or a related field.
Requirements: Write a 500-1000 double-spaced, 12 font word essay on one of the following prompts:
- Describe your involvement in a community project and the results or impact of that involvement to the community.
- Comment on the personal characteristics, educational or extracurricular activities that helped you prepare for college and a career in public safety.
- What does the future of public safety look like to you?
Deadline: July 1, 2022
Apply here: https://myalarmcenter.com/about/philanthropy/scholarships/
I hope this list helps you on your pay for college journey. Please let me know if you apply and win of these scholarships. And be sure to share this page and bookmark it. I’ll be updating and adding new scholarships throughout the year.
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This post was all about college scholarships for African-American and Black students.
(Last updated: 1/20/2022)
