Types of Grants Supporting African American Students

Various Grant Opportunities for African American Students

Funding Options for African American Students

Promoting diversity in education ensures equal opportunities for everyone. Many students aspire to earn degrees to reach their future ambitions. Unfortunately, the U.S. faces a racial gap in admissions at prestigious universities. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that under 65% of African American high school graduates attend college. Although dropout rates are low, those who leave cite reasons like high student debt, limited job prospects, and racial bias.

Many African American students are unaware of available grants, which are primarily awarded based on financial need. Low-income students tend to require more financial assistance, often preventing them from pursuing higher education dreams. The burden of student loans and economic disparities restrict many from enrolling or completing college. Fortunately, numerous scholarships, grants, and financial aid programs are specifically designed for African American students.

Various organizations offer targeted scholarships, including those for women, men, or students in specialized fields. To support educational access, students can apply for federal, state, or private grants and scholarships during graduation. When applying, it’s important to review all eligibility criteria, which may include need-based or merit-based considerations. Some grants are field-specific, and award amounts range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Typically, recipients must reapply annually, and continued funding depends on academic progress.

Eligibility Criteria

The primary requirement is that applicants identify as African American. Many grants evaluate financial need via FAFSA applications. State and private grants may also consider residence, academic achievements, and major courses.

Below are several types of grants available to African American students:

General Funding Opportunities

AICPA Fellowship for Minority Doctoral Students

Ford Foundation Fellowship Program

Frederick Douglass Distinguished Scholars Program

United Negro College Fund

Scholarships for African American Women

AAUW Professions Group Fellowship

National Black Nurses Association

National Association of Black Journalists Awards

Dr. Julianne Malveaux Scholarship

Dr. Blanca Moore-Velez Woman of Substance Scholarship

Funding for African American Men

Pell Grant

CUNY Opportunity Programs

Cornell University Minorities Fellowship

National GEM Consortium Fellowship

100 Black Men Virginia Scholarship

Numerous scholarships also support minority students pursuing graduate degrees, including:

AAAS Minority Science Writers Internship

ABA Diversity Scholarship

ALA – LITA/LSSI Scholarship

ACS Scholars Program

ACHE Albert W. Dent Graduate Student Scholarship

Actuarial Diversity Scholarship

Association of Blacks in Energy Scholarships

African American Teaching Fellows

American Library Association Spectrum Scholarship