Several scholarships for HBCU students offer both full and partial scholarships to students who are enrolled in any accredited university in the United States. The scholarships are awarded based on several factors, which include financial and merit-based needs.
HBCU, also known as historically black colleges and universities, have made higher education easily accessible to African American students. HBCUs also offer a wide range of scholarships for both domestic and international students. Through them, tons of students have been able to get financial support for furthering their education.
Students should however inquire about these university scholarships when they are applying to college to lift their financial responsibility. In this blog post, we have provided a list of the best HBCU scholarships for college students, so you can find the right scholarship to apply for.
What Are HBCU Scholarships?
HBCU scholarships are the type of scholarship that provides financial aid to students who are enrolled at a historically black university or college. In most cases, being enrolled at a qualifying educational institution is enough for you to be eligible for an HBCU scholarship.
However, a few HBCU scholarships are limited to African Americans, which means that you must attend a qualifying school and be African American.
But this isn’t mostly the case, as HBCUs welcome students from different backgrounds, and there are scholarships open to people with different backgrounds.
Eligibility Requirement For The HBCU Scholarship
The eligibility requirement for an HBCU scholarship varies by institution. However, there is a general requirement that you must be able to meet, and it includes:
- Maintaining full-time undergraduate enrollment at any historically black college or university (HBCU) or a predominately black institution (PBI).
- You must demonstrate leadership qualities by participating in community service or other extracurricular activities.
These are only the typical requirements for an HBCU scholarship. The requirement varies by institution.
HBCU Scholarships
The lists below are some of the scholarships accessible to students at HBCUs, which also include scholarships available to international students.
UNCF Scholarships
The UNCF is a private fund that offers a wide array of scholarship opportunities to students at HBCUs. Many of these scholarships are available to permanent residents and United States citizens of African American descent.
Most of these scholarships are also open to Native American, Asian Pacific Islander American, Latino American, and Hispanic American applicants.
Thurgood Marshall College Fund
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund provides a wide array of scholarships to students enrolled in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Texas Southern University, and many more.
The scholarships include the TMCF Access Scholarship, which covers full tuition and on-campus room and board. It also includes the Gap Completion Scholarship, which is designed for students in unexpected financial need.
IES Abroad HBCU Tuition and Travel Grant
This scholarship provides students at HBCUs the opportunity to study abroad for only a semester on an IES Abroad program. Students who are enrolled at an IES Abroad partner HBCU can also apply for a $1,5000 IES Abroad program fee along with a $500 travel cost.
Fisk University Scholarships
Fisk University provides an extensive array of merit-based awards for musical talent, athletics, leadership, and the Erastus Milo Cravath Presidential Scholarship. This type of scholarship covers the full tuition fee along with the cost of accommodation. Furthermore, international students are also qualified to apply.
The Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship Program
This scholarship is granted to eligible candidates and carries a value of up to $10,000 annually for exceptional HBCU elders—one male and one female—who demonstrate financial need.
Successful applicants must exhibit a track record of high academic achievement, a dedication to community service, and strong leadership skills.
Howard University
Howard University offers some financial support to international students. However, this is on a case-by-case basis. The student can apply by completing an international student financial aid application.
East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University also has lots of financial awards for international students, including the Academic Merit Scholarship, which provides up to $12,500 to eligible undergraduate students and up to $5,000 to postgraduate students.
It also offers up to $9,000 to doctoral students each year. Furthermore, there are also course-specific scholarships to support international students in the creative arts in STEM.
This is among the scholarships that award $10,000 to African American and black students who attend an HBCU and get an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree that is related to social justice, like education, criminal justice, community, and economic development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Cheapest HBCU?
The University of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C., is one of the most affordable HBCUs. The cost of attending this school is estimated at $9,000 each year for in-state students and $18,000 for out-of-state learners. Most of the expensive HBCUs lower the cost of tuition than the national average.
Which HBCU Gives The Most Scholarships?
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania gives the most HBCU scholarships, and it grants more than $6,750 per student. Several schools, which include Delaware State University, South Carolina State University, Virginia State University, and Tuskegee University, also award scholarship packages to students.
Does HBCU Offer Free Tuition?
Most HBCUs might offer free tuition in the form of a full scholarship for eligible students. Others might provide deep discounts, which include tuition waivers for students who meet the criteria that can be added to scholarships and grants to cover part of the tuition fees and educational costs.
What GPA Do HBCU Colleges Require?
The minimum GPA that is required for admission to an HBCU is based on the institution. Some institutions might require a GPA of at least 2.0, and others might require a GPA of 3.0.
What Percentage Of HBCU Students Receive Financial Aid?
A large number of HBCU students get financial assistance. Based on research, approximately 85% of first-time undergraduate students at HBCUs receive financial aid.
