Scholarships for Black women are helping African American students break barriers and achieve their educational goals. This article features a broad range of scholarships. Some are undergraduate scholarships. Some are for those earning their master’s degree. Some can be used by those attending any college. Some require you to demonstrate financial need. Others don’t. Still others have location limitations or require students to attend historically Black colleges like Howard University. Whether you’re an undergraduate, or a graduate student, we hope you can find a scholarship here to help you on your way.
A report from the Black Women’s Roundtable found that the high school dropout rate for African American girls reached an all-time low of 6.4 percent in 2011. Not only are Black women graduating, they’re also dominating in higher education. The NCES reports that women earned 68 percent of associate, 66 percent of bachelor’s, 71 percent of master’s, and 65 percent of doctoral degrees awarded to Black people in 2010.
Around 24 percent of African Americans have at least a bachelor’s degree. After graduation, it’s estimated that Black women are generating over $44.9 billion for the U.S. economy. They’re even starting businesses at six times the national average. Black women are crushing it in college education and the workforce.
We hope highlighting financial aid like these 20 great scholarships for African American women makes achieving your dreams more affordable.
Reviewing Top Scholarships for Black Women
1. Allison E. Fisher Scholarship
Deadline: February 13th
The Allison E. Fisher Scholarship honors the BET and PBS broadcaster. She lost her fight with breast cancer at 28 years old. The $2,500 scholarship is awarded annually by the National Association of Black Journalists to African American undergraduate students. Eligible African American women must have a 3.0 GPA or higher. They must be attending an accredited college or university. Finally, they must be majoring in journalism or communications.
Contact
Allison E. Fisher Scholarship
1100 Knight Hall Suite 3100
College Park, MD 20742
(301) 405-0248
sberry@nabj.org
Scholarship Link
2. Ashley Stewart Scholarship
Deadline: May 22nd
The Ashley Stewart Scholarship is sponsored by the United Negro College Fund. $5,000 each is awarded annually to two Black women majoring in business disciplines. Eligible are those majoring in:
- marketing
- finance
- communications
- management
- fashion merchandising
Candidates must:
- be sophomores or juniors
- attend an accredited HBCU
- have at least a 3.3 GPA
- maintain full-time enrollment
- have unmet financial need
- be interested in the business of fashion.
Contact
Ashley Stewart Scholarship
1805 7th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(800) 331-2244
kenya.gray@uncf.org
Scholarship Link
3. Black Girls Rock! Imagine a Future Scholarship
Deadline: October 1st
The Black Girls Rock! Imagine a Future Scholarship is funded by Procter & Gamble’s My Black is Beautiful campaign. The $5,000 award goes to dynamic African American students who are enrolling at accredited U.S. colleges as:
- freshmen
- sophomores
- juniors
Eligible applicants must:
- be a woman
- be pursuing an undergraduate degree
- have a 3.0 cumulative GPA
- be involved in the African American community
Recipients can also attend the Black Girls Lead Conference.
Contact
Black Girls Rock! Imagine a Future Scholarship
57 West 57th Street 4th Floor
New York, NY 10019
(646) 416-7907
programs@blackgirlsrock.org
Scholarship Link
4. Davis Scholarship for Women in STEM
Deadline: June 13th
Each year the United Negro College Fund offers the Davis Scholarship for Women in STEM. The award for $5,000 is given to two Black female students who have declared a major in:
- science
- technology
- engineering
- mathematics
To qualify, women must:
- be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
- have at least sophomore standing
- attend a UNCF-member institution full-time
- also maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher
Preference is given to students from Massachusetts.
Related: 20 Best Deals on Small Colleges for STEM
Contact
Davis Scholarship for Women in STEM
1805 7th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(800) 331-2244
kenya.gray@uncf.org
Scholarship Link
5. Dr. Arnita Young Boswell Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
For $1,000, the Dr. Arnita Young Boswell Scholarship is awarded annually by the National Hook-Up of Black Women. The award goes to African American students who are enrolled full-time as undergraduates. They must:
- attend accredited U.S. universities
- maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75
- submit a head shot portrait and two letters of recommendation
- provide proof of school/community service involvement
- provide official transcripts.
Finally, they must write and submit a 500-word essay on recent “Black Lives Matter” political issues.
Contact
Dr. Arnita Young Boswell Scholarship
1809 East 71st Street
Chicago, IL 60649
(773) 667-7061
info@nhbwinc.com
Scholarship Link
6. Dr. Julianne Malveaux Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
This scholarship is funded by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to African American students in specific fields. They must be studying:
- journalism
- broadcasting
- creative writing
- public policy
- economics
- political science
- related fields
Applicants must:
- be sophomores or juniors
- have U.S. citizenship
- be studying at an accredited four-year college
- have a 3.0 GPA or better
- write a 1,000-word career aspirations statement.
Contact
Dr. Julianne Malveaux Scholarship
1806 New Hampshire Avenue
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 483-4206
executivedirector@nanbpwc.org
Scholarship Link
7. Estelle Martin Cartledge Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 31st or September 30th
The Poise Foundation offers the Estelle Martin Cartledge Memorial Scholarship for $1,300. The scholarship is awarded to Black women who have sustained involvement in humanitarian projects. This includes:
- church work
- community service
- mentoring
To be eligible, applicants must:
- be graduating high school seniors
- be enrolled full-time in a four-year college
- have strong academic merit
- live within the Mon Valley
- exhibit selfless service
Priority is given to members of Morning Star Baptist Church.
Contact
Estelle Martin Cartledge Memorial Scholarship
603 Stanwix Street Suite 1700
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 281-4967
dnasir@poisefdn.org
Scholarship Link
8. Hallie Q. Brown Scholarships
Deadline: March 31st
The Hallie Q. Brown Scholarships, for $1,000 to $2,000, are awarded by The National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs. Qualified recipients must:
- be active NACWC members
- have a high school diploma
- enroll full-time in an accredited U.S. college
- have completed at least one college semester
- maintain a “C” average
- show need for financial assistance.
Contact
Hallie Q. Brown Scholarships
408 Alexander Place
East Louis, IL 62207
(202) 667-4080
cearly@nacwcya.org
Scholarship Link
9. Jack and Jill African American Scholarships
Deadline: June 1st
Ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 each, the Jack and Jill African American Scholarships are available for male or female Black high school seniors. They must already be accepted at an accredited four-year college. Along with monetary support, recipients engage in leadership training and mentoring. They also take part in economic development programs to help them reach their fullest potential in higher education.
Contact
Jack and Jill African American Scholarships
1930 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 232-5290
pblake@jackandjillfoundation.org
Scholarship Link
10. Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: February 15th
The Jackie Robinson Foundation has awarded Black students over $65 million in scholarships. This has enabled tens of thousands of African American students to attend college over the years. To qualify, candidates must:
- be graduating high school seniors
- score at least 1,000 on the SAT or 21 on the ACT
- be U.S. citizens
- present proof of financial need
Leadership qualities and dedication to community service are also important factors.
Contact
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarships
75 Varick Street 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10013
(866) 986-1601 ext. 7095
scholarships@jackierobinson.org
Scholarship Link
11. Madeline Kountze Dugger-Kelly Scholarship
Deadline: March 31st
Every year the Black Women in Sport Foundation awards this scholarship. The scholarship is for $1,000 and goes to African American women enrolled full-time in graduate school. Both master’s and Ph.D. students are eligible. Candidates must:
- have played intercollegiate sports as undergraduates
- be involved in community service
- demonstrate academic merit
- set an example of good sportsmanship.
Contact
Madeline Kountze Dugger-Kelly Scholarship
4300 Monument Road
Philadelphia, PA 19131
(215) 877-1925 ext. 320
tinabwsf@temple.edu
Scholarship Link
12. Maria Dudley Advanced Practice Scholarship
Deadline: April 15th
This $6,000 scholarship is one of several scholarships offered by the National Black Nurses Association. Suitable applicants must:
- be NBNA members
- be registered nurses with valid state licensing
- be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program for nursing
- possess good scholastic standing
- have at least one full year remaining.
Contact
Maria Dudley Advanced Practice Scholarship
8630 Fenton Street Suite 330
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 589-3200
gbelizaire@nbna.org
Scholarship Link
13. NABA National Scholarship Program
Deadline: January 31st
The National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) hosts an annual National Scholarship Program. This program presents 50 awards for $1,000 to $10,000 to African Americans enrolled at four-year accredited U.S. business schools. Students must:
- major in accounting or finance
- be Black
- be active NABA members
- be enrolled in at least 12 credits per semester
- have a GPA of 3.3
- submit a current resume
- provide one recommendation letter
- be U.S. citizens or lawful residents.
Contact
NABA National Scholarship Program
7474 Greenway Center Drive
Greenbelt, MD 20770
(301) 474-6222
scholarships@nabainc.org
Scholarship Link
14. Peola Smith-Smith Educational Leadership Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs awards this scholarship. The $1,000 is intended to support Black women graduating from high school who plan to major in education. Eligible women must:
- be accepted at an accredited, non-profit U.S. college
- have a minimum B average
- show leadership qualities
- be NANBPWC members
- write a 300-word essay titled “Why Education Is Important to Me.”
Contact
Peola Smith-Smith Educational Leadership Scholarship
1806 New Hampshire Avenue
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 483-4206
executivedirector@nanbpwc.org
Scholarship Link
15. Phyllis G. Meekins Scholarships
Deadline: May 16th
This scholarship is in honor of the pioneering amateur golfer and teacher Phyllis Galloway Meekins. The LPGA offers $1,250 annual scholarships for women of color. Eligible applicants for the need-based award must:
- be graduating high school seniors
- already be accepted at an accredited U.S. university
- plan to play collegiate golf
- maintain full-time enrollment
- have strong academics and be involved in community service.
Contact
Phyllis G. Meekins Scholarships
100 International Golf Drive
Daytona Beach, Fl 32124
(386) 274-6200
info@lpgafoundation.org
Scholarship Link
16. Reach for the Gold Book Scholarship
Deadline: May 26th
The Alumnae Association of Omega Phi Beta Sorority offers the Reach for the Gold Book Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarships are awarded to women of color. For consideration, applicants must:
- be legal U.S. citizens or residents
- be accepted as freshmen at accredited four-year colleges
- have a minimum GPA of 3.4
- achieve a combined SAT score of 1800 or ACT score of 24
Funding is intended for the purchase of academic textbooks.
Contact
Reach for the Gold Book Scholarship
P.O. Box 3352
New York, NY 10163
(646) 683-6110
BOTSecretary@omegaphibeta.org
Scholarship Link
17. Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD Scholarship
Deadline: September 12th
The Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD Scholarship is administered by the Association of Black Women Physicians. The $2,000 scholarship is awarded to African American medical students in southern California. Students can either be from southern California or enrolled in a Southern California school to qualify. Students must be African American women. Applications must include official transcripts and financial aid letters. Additionally, applicants must provide three letters of recommendation and submit their CV.
Contact
Rebecca Lee Crumpler, MD Scholarship
4712 Admiralty Way Suite 175
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 321-8688
abwpcorrespondence@gmail.com
Scholarship Link
18. Ruth Whitehead Whaley Scholarship
Deadline: February 16th
This scholarship is named for the first African American woman to enroll at Fordham University School of Law. The Ruth Whitehead Whaley Scholarship is awarded yearly by the Association of Black Women Attorneys for $2,500. Eligible Black women must have unmet financial need and be enrolled full-time at an accredited law school. The law school must be located in in:
- Connecticut
- New Jersey
- New York
Applicants must be earning a Juris Doctor degree. Involvement in civic and community service activities is the deciding factor.
Contact
Ruth Whitehead Whaley Scholarship
1001 Avenue of the Americas 11th Floor
New York, NY 10018
(631) 708-5359
info@abwanewyork.org
Scholarship Link
19. Working Women’s Scholarship
Deadline: April 23rd
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc. offers the Working Women’s Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to African American women who are working while attending:
- a college
- university
- trade school
Eligible ladies must:
- be at least 30 years old
- working at least 15 hours per week
- be U.S. citizens
- reside within the Oakland/Bay Area
- demonstrate financial need
- maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA
Two letters of recommendation are required. Finally, they must write a 300-word essay about the three biggest challenges facing their community.
Contact
Working Women’s Scholarship
P.O. Box 24231
Oakland, CA 94623
ncbw100pse@gmail.com
Scholarship Link
20. Women of Color Scholars Program
Deadline: February 1st
The women of Color Scholars Program recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. The program grants up to $10,000 annually to minority women who are pursuing graduate theological education. The degree must be a Ph.D. or Th.D. in order to qualify. The scholarship is available only to candidates who are active members of the United Methodist Church. Candidates must:
- attend an accredited U.S. seminary
- maintain a 2.5 GPA
- already have their Master of Divinity degree
- must express that their goal is to teach at Methodist seminaries.
Contact
Women of Color Scholars Program
1001 19th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 340-7342
cbanks@gbhem.org
Scholarship Link
Lack of financial support is an obstacle that has forced many Black women to put off attending college. The poverty rate for African American females in the United States is currently 28.6 percent. Rising tuition costs don’t necessarily have to bar your access to higher learning, though. As Maya Angelou once said, “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.”
Scholarships for women of color are numerous to help you afford bettering your personal and professional life.
GCD Staff, Updated September 2022
Related:
- 50 Best Deals on Competitive Small Colleges
- Top 50 Great Deals on Bachelor’s Degrees Online
- Top 20 Deals on Small Colleges in Texas
- Top 50 Best Colleges in Texas
- 20 Best Deals on Colleges that Don’t Require SAT
- 20 Highest Paying Bachelor Degrees