HBCU Scholarships Application: A Step-by-Step Guide for 2023

Higher education can be an expensive affair, and African American students often face greater challenges in terms of affordability. This is where HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) play a critical role in providing opportunities for higher education. HBCUs offer a range of programs and scholarships to help students achieve their academic goals. In this post, we provide an overview of the available HBCU scholarships for 2023, the application deadlines, and the benefits.

List of All Available Scholarships:

1. NBA HBCU Fellowship Program
2. Good Neighbor Pharmacy Scholarship
3. Legends HBCU Scholarship
4. AB HBCU Scholars Program
5. McDonald’s Black and Positively Golden Scholarship
6. CDW Legacy Excellence Program Scholarship
7. Legacy of Leadership Scholarship
8. UNCF General Scholarship
9. @HBCUAlum Scholarship
10. Ralph Holback Beacon of Light Scholarship
11. NMAC HBCU Scholarship
12. One In Tech Academic Scholarship
13. Delta Community Credit Union HBCU Scholarship
14. Joshua David Gardner Memorial Scholarship
15. Annie Ibok Scholarship
16. Thurgood Marshall All Around Scholarship
17. Morgan Stanley HBCU Scholars Program
18. San Diego HBCU Scholarship
19. Marki Lemons Ryhal Education Advancement Scholarship

Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these scholarships individually:

1. NBA HBCU Fellowship Program:

The NBA HBCU Fellowship Program is a 10-week summer program that offers internships with NBA teams or the league office in a variety of departments. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student attending an HBCU. You need to submit a 250-to-500-word essay on why you’re interested in the NBA and describe your future career aspirations. The deadline for this scholarship is February 20, 2023.

2. Good Neighbor Pharmacy Scholarship:

The Good Neighbor Pharmacy Scholarship is available to Black/African American students pursuing a doctoral degree in pharmacy. Undergraduate students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, and graduate students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be eligible for this scholarship. The deadline for this scholarship is February 28, 2023.

3. Legends HBCU Scholarship:

The Legends HBCU Scholarship is available to full-time sophomore, junior, and senior students enrolled at a four-year HBCU. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.7. The deadline for this scholarship is March 14, 2023.

4. AB HBCU Scholars Program:

The AB HBCU Scholars Program is open to HBCU sophomore students majoring in accounting, business administration, computer science, cybersecurity programs, economics, engineering, finance, liberal arts, management, marketing, math, or supply chain management. The recipients of this scholarship will also participate in a nine-week paid summer internship with AllianceBernstein. The deadline for this scholarship is March 15, 2023.

5. McDonald’s Black and Positively Golden Scholarship:

The McDonald’s Black and Positively Golden Scholarship is available to full-time undergraduate students attending TMCF-member HBCUs and Predominately Black Institutions. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must have a minimum 2.7 GPA and demonstrate financial need. The deadline for this scholarship is March 27, 2023.

6. CDW Legacy Excellence Program Scholarship:

The CDW Legacy Excellence Program Scholarship is available to undergraduate students attending HBCUs and PBIs. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need. The deadline for this scholarship is March 27, 2023.

7. Legacy of Leadership Scholarship:

The Legacy of Leadership Scholarship is available to full-time undergraduate students attending HBCUs. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must submit a two-minute video on the topic “What legacy means to me is…”. The deadline for this scholarship is March 27, 2023.

8. UNCF General Scholarship:

The UNCF General Scholarship is available to full-time undergraduate and graduate students attending a UNCF member college or university. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must have a minimum 2.5 GPA. The deadline for this scholarship is March 31, 2023.

9. @HBCUAlum Scholarship:

The @HBCUAlum Scholarship is available to high school seniors planning to enroll at an HBCU. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and submit a 500-word essay on the topic “The Importance of HBCUs in the 21st Century.” The deadline for this scholarship is April 1, 2023.

10. Ralph Holback Beacon of Light Scholarship:

The Ralph Holback Beacon of Light Scholarship is available to high school seniors who are planning to attend an HBCU. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must have a minimum 2.7 GPA and be involved with your church and community. You must also submit a 1,000-word essay on the efforts you have made to change your community and your desire to change the future. The deadline for this scholarship is April 8, 2023.

11. NMAC HBCU Scholarship:

The NMAC HBCU Scholarship is available to African-American female undergraduate students attending HBCUs. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must have a minimum 2.75 GPA. The deadline for this scholarship is April 22, 2023.

12. One In Tech Academic Scholarship:

The One In Tech Academic Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in cybersecurity or information assurance. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must meet one of the following conditions: be a first-generation college student, be enrolled in a minority-serving institution (MSI) or Historically Black College or University (HBCU), or identify within a demographic that is historically underrepresented within the tech profession. The deadline for this scholarship is April 28, 2023.

13. Delta Community Credit Union HBCU Scholarship:

The Delta Community Credit Union HBCU Scholarship is available to high school seniors and undergraduate students. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a resident of Georgia and be attending or accepted into an HBCU. The deadline for this scholarship is April 30, 2023.

14. Joshua David Gardner Memorial Scholarship:

The Joshua David Gardner Memorial Scholarship is available to undergraduate students between the ages of 17 and 25 who have been admitted to or are currently enrolled at an accredited four-year HBCU. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a U.S. citizen and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additionally, you must submit a 500-word essay on the topic “What is the importance of participating in political and social change processes?” The deadline for this scholarship is April 30, 2023.

15. Annie Ibok Scholarship:

The Annie Ibok Scholarship is available to rising college freshmen who are attending HBCUs. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a resident of Washington State or California and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Priority is given to recent high school graduates. The deadline for this scholarship is July 31, 2023.

16. Thurgood Marshall All Around Scholarship:

The Thurgood Marshall All Around Scholarship is available to full-time undergraduate students attending HBCUs and PBIs. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate leadership abilities. The deadline for this scholarship is August 31, 2023.

17. Morgan Stanley HBCU Scholars Program:

The Morgan Stanley HBCU Scholars Program is open to students attending Howard University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. Eligible students will be invited to apply through their schools. The program covers full tuition and provides summer internships, mentorship, and career development opportunities.

18. San Diego HBCU Scholarship:

The San Diego HBCU Scholarship is available to high school seniors graduating from a San Diego County high school, who have been accepted to an HBCU. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must submit a 500-word essay on the topic “Why I want to attend an HBCU.” The scholarship has a rolling deadline.

19. Marki Lemons Ryhal Education Advancement Scholarship:

The Marki Lemons Ryhal Education Advancement Scholarship is available to African-American female students residing in underserved communities within the Chicagoland area. You must be pursuing a real estate license or be attending an HBCU or Chicago State University to be eligible for this award. The scholarship has a rolling deadline.

Benefits of HBCU Scholarships:

HBCU scholarships offer financial support to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Scholarships can cover tuition, room and board, and other education-related expenses. These scholarships provide opportunities for students to focus on their education without worrying about the financial burden of attending college.

The benefits can vary from a few thousand dollars to full tuition coverage. Apart from financial support, these scholarships also offer other opportunities like internships, summer programs, and employment opportunities after graduation.

Deadlines:

Each scholarship has its own deadline, so it’s essential to pay attention to the dates. The deadlines for these scholarships range from February to August 2023. So, it’s best to start the application process as soon as possible.

How to Apply for HBCU Scholarships?

To apply for HBCU scholarships, students must first research and identify the scholarships they are eligible for. The next step is to review the scholarship requirements and deadlines. Students should ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria and submit the required application materials before the deadline.

Each scholarship has its own application process and requirements. You can research and identify the scholarships you are eligible for and then visit the scholarship provider’s website to find out how to apply.

However, a good place to start your search for HBCU scholarships is the United Negro College Fund website. The UNCF offers a variety of scholarships for African American students attending HBCUs.

Additionally, you can also check with the financial aid office of the HBCU you plan to attend for information on available scholarships and how to apply. They may also have resources and advice on finding and applying for external scholarships.

Required Documents:

Most scholarships require an application form, essay, transcript, and other supporting documents. Some scholarships may also require letters of recommendation or proof of financial need. Gather all required documents and ensure that they are complete and accurate.

Conclusion:

HBCU scholarships provide unique opportunities for minority students to receive financial support for their education. Students should take advantage of these opportunities by researching and applying for the scholarships that they are eligible for. By doing so, students can focus on their education and achieve their academic and career goals.