Since recent data from the U.S. Education Department shows that college acceptance and graduation rates for underrepresented minority students continues to lag behind average, more organizations are establishing scholarships for minorities to increase access to higher education and close the success gap. With the assistance of the various scholarships and grants available, minority students can overcome financial obstacles and have the best chance of finishing their chosen academic degree. Whether you are African American, Pacific Islander, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian, or any other minority group, the following are 25 of the most generous scholarships for helping historically underrepresented students just like you.
1. AICPA Scholarships for Minority Accounting Students
Deadline: April 1st
Each year, the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) provides numerous Scholarships for Minority Accounting Students for $5,000 apiece to outstanding African American, Hispanic, Native American, or Asian American undergraduate and graduate students who are actively pursuing a degree in accounting for CPA licensure. Qualified candidates must be enrolled full-time in a U.S. institution accredited by the AACSB, have completed at least 30 semester hours of college work, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and demonstrate financial need.
Contact
AICPA Scholarships for Minority Accounting Students
220 Leigh Farm Road
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 402-4500
scholarships@aicpa.org
http://www.aicpa.org/Career/DiversityInitiatives/Pages/smas.aspx
2. American Chemical Society Minority Scholars Program
Deadline: March 1st
The American Chemical Society (ACS) hosts the Minority Scholars Program to grant awards ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American students seeking to pursue an undergraduate college degree in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, chemical technology, or another chemically-related science. Eligible applicants must be high academic achievers in chemistry with a major GPA of 3.0 or better and demonstrate evidence of financial need according to the FAFSA form.
Contact
American Chemical Society Minority Scholars Program
1155 Sixteenth Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 872-6229
scholars@acs.org
3. Bank of America Foundation Minority Scholarship
Deadline: February 1st
Sponsored by the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, the Bank of America Minority Scholarship is granted annually for up to $3,000 to African American, Hispanic, Asian American, or Native American graduating high school seniors from Palm Beach County in Florida. Eligible candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, be accepted for undergraduate enrollment full-time at any U.S. accredited institution, and intend to major in business or finance.
Contact
Bank of America Foundation Minority Scholarship
700 South Dixie Highway Suite 200
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 659-6800
dhouston@cfpbmc.org
4. Bob Smith Memorial Scholarship Award
Deadline: Contact sponsoring organization.
In honor of the late Journey Lineman who exemplified professional excellence, the Avista Foundation offers the Bob Smith Memorial Scholarship Award annually for $2,000 to minority students in Spokane County who are working toward a degree or certificate in civil engineering, line construction, automation, electronics engineering, electrical maintenance, power systems, machine shop technology, welding, mechanical engineering, or hydraulic and pneumatic automation technology. Preference will be given to students who have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and demonstrate financial need.
Contact
Bob Smith Memorial Scholarship Award
P.O. Box 3727
Spokane, WA 99220
(509) 495-8156
scholars@avistacorp.com
http://www.avistautilities.com/community/giving/pages/scholars.aspx#award1
5. Casey Family Minority Scholars Program
Deadline: March 31st
Administered by Foster Career to Success, the Casey Family Minority Scholars Program provides scholarships for $1,500 to $6,000 per academic year for minority students who have aged out of the U.S. foster care system and will be graduating in good standing to pursue a college degree from a vocational or technical training program, college, or university. Along with the application, candidates are required to submit verification of foster care status, documentation of tuition balance, two letters of recommendation, and two essay responses.
Contact
Casey Family Minority Scholars Program
21351 Gentry Drive Suite 130
Sterling, VA 20166
(571) 203-0270
scholarships@fc2success.org
6. CBS Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: February 1st
At Park University, the CBS Foundation Scholarship is granted annually for $2,500 to African American, Hispanic, Asian American, and Native American men or women who are interested in preparing for careers in broadcast communications. Qualified minority students must be enrolled full-time at the university with junior or senior-level status and a major in English, journalism, or communications with an emphasis in broadcast journalism and production, media writing, or professional writing.
Contact
CBS Foundation Scholarship
8700 NW River Park Drive
Parkville, MO 64152
(816) 741-2000
renee.jack@park.edu
7. CESDA Diversity Scholarships
Deadline: February 7th
Annually, the Colorado Educational Services and Development Association (CESDA) awards the Diversity Scholarships for $1,000 each to first-generation students or members of an underrepresented ethnic or racial minority who are enrolled at a two or four-year Colorado institution with at least six semester credits and a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher. Selection will be based on leadership potential, service to minority communities, academic performance, professional accomplishments, financial need, career goals, and personal attributes.
Contact
CESDA Diversity Scholarships
P.O. Box 40214
Denver, CO 80204
(303) 256-9785
questions@cesda.org
8. Ethnic Minority Bachelor’s Scholarships in Oncology Nursing
Deadline: February 1st
Established by the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Foundation, the Ethnic Minority Bachelor’s Scholarships in Oncology Nursing program awards $2,000 in financial assistance to ethnic minority students who are currently pursuing an undergraduate nursing degree at an NLN or CCNE-accredited nursing school in the United States. Qualified applicants must demonstrate a commitment to cancer nursing, have current license to practice as a registered nurse, and submit a short 250-word essay on professional goals for the advancement of oncology nursing.
Contact
Ethnic Minority Bachelor’s Scholarships in Oncology Nursing
125 Enterprise Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15275
(866) 257-4667
info@onsfoundation.org
9. Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowship Program
Deadline: November 20th
With the mission of increasing the racial and ethnic diversity of the nation’s college and university faculties to maximize the educational benefits of multiculturalism, the Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowship Program offers fellowship opportunities to doctoral students of underrepresented minorities with a scholarship for $2,000 and an annual stipend for $20,000. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, demonstrate superior academic achievement, be committed to a career in teaching and research at the university level, and be enrolled in a Ph.D. program.
Contact
Ford Foundation Diversity Fellowship Program
500 Fifth Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 334-2872
infofell@nas.edu
10. Henry M. Ruhnke Annual Minority Award
Deadline: December 1st
Through the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, the Henry M. Ruhnke Annual Minority Award is distributed for $1,000 to one continuing diversity student of African American, Latino, Native American, Asian, or Pacific Islander descent with sophomore, junior, or senior-level status. Eligible candidates must demonstrate financial need, carry at least 12 credits each semester, maintain good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, and be committed to serving underrepresented communities.
Contact
Henry M. Ruhnke Annual Minority Award
900 Wood Road
P.O. Box 2000
Kenosha, WI 53141
(262) 595-2540
rstrege@uwsp.edu
11. Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: February 15th
The Jackie Robinson Foundation provides scholarships of up to $24,000 for four years of undergraduate study to graduating minority high school students who demonstrate leadership potential, dedication to community service, and financial need to attend an accredited post-secondary U.S. institution. Along with the completed online application, eligible applicants are asked to submit one letter of recommendation, SAT or ACT scores, an official high school transcript, the financial aid report, and proof of citizenship.
Contact
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarships
550 South Hope Street Suite 2300
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 330-7726
scholarships@jackierobinson.org
12. LAGRANT Foundation Scholarship for Graduate Students
Deadline: February 28th
Annually, the LAGRANT Foundation rewards the Scholarship for Graduate Students to African American, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Latino, or American Indian students who are currently enrolled full-time at a four-year accredited U.S. institution for an advanced degree in advertising, marketing, public relations, anthropology, communications, graphic design, English, or sociology. Qualified applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher and have a minimum of two academic semesters left to complete a master’s degree.
Contact
LAGRANT Foundation Scholarship for Graduate Students
600 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 1520
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(323) 469-8680
erickainiguez@lagrant.com
13. Landscape Architecture Foundation EDSA Minority Scholarship
Deadline: February 15th
Established to help African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American students interested in a career related to landscaping, the Landscape Architecture Foundation EDSA Minority Scholarship is offered annually for $5,000 to minority students who are in their final two years of undergraduate study or are pursuing a graduate degree in landscape architecture. Candidates are required to provide a short biography, photo, current resume or CV, a two-page essay, two letters of recommendation, and three work samples.
Contact
Landscape Architecture Foundation EDSA Minority Scholarship
1129 20th Street NW Suite 202
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 331-7070
scholarships@lafoundation.org
14. Mark Collier Caudill Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
Created by Virginia Whichard Caudill to honor her husband on his birthday, the Mark Collier Caudill Scholarship is administered by the Winston-Salem Foundation to minority male student-athletes from Forsyth County in North Carolina who will be attending any accredited four-year U.S. institution in pursuit of a degree. To receive consideration, applicants must have participated in high school athletics, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 with challenging coursework, and demonstrate good sportsmanship with athletic leadership.
Contact
Mark Collier Caudill Scholarship
860 West Fifth Street
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
(336) 725-2382
Edna.Barker@wsfoundation.org
15. Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship
Deadline: February 21st
Funded by Tyler Technologies, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) awards the Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship annually for $6,000 to upper-division undergraduate and graduate African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic students who are pursuing a degree in public administration, governmental accounting, finance, political science, economics, or business administration. Applicants must include a letter of recommendation from an academic advisor, statement of proposed governmental finance career plans, current resume, and an official transcript.
Contact
Minorities in Government Finance Scholarship
203 North LaSalle Street Suite 2700
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 977-9700
ccolin@gfoa.org
16. Minorities in Hospitality Scholars Program
Deadline: January 31st
Sponsored by the International Franchise Association (FA) Educational Foundation, the Minorities in Hospitality Scholars Program is designed to support African American, American Indian, Hispanic American, and Asian American students who are currently enrolled as a sophomore, junior, or senior in at accredited U.S. institution with a major in a hospitality-related field. In order to be eligible for the $2,000 scholarship, qualified applicants must complete an application form, submit an official certified transcript, and prepare a typed 500-word essay.
Contact
Minorities in Hospitality Scholars Program
1501 K Street NW Suite 350
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 628-8000
swilliamson@franchise.org
17. NACME Pre-Engineering Scholarships
Deadline: March 30th
In recognition of the highest achieving African American, Latino, and American Indian high school seniors, the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) grants the Pre-Engineering Scholarships annually for $2,500 each for minority students committed to engineering as a career goal. Qualified candidates must have participated in a pre-college Academy of Engineering program, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 with a combined SAT score of 1650 or better, and be admitted into an ABET-accredited program full-time.
Contact
NACME Pre-Engineering Scholarships
440 Hamilton Avenue Suite 302
White Plains, NY 10601
(914) 539-4010
scholarships@nacme.org
https://www.nacme.org/scholarships
18. NMF Emergency Scholarship Fund
Deadline: Varies
Supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the NMF Emergency Scholarship Fund provides a quick response to address third and fourth-year underrepresented minority medical school students’ need for emergency funding to pay tuition at any accredited medical or osteopathic medicine school in the U.S. To qualify for funding up to $10,000 immediately, applicants must submit a financial need statement, an essay detailing an interest in medicine, documentation supporting financial status, and a letter of support from the Financial Aid Director.
Contact
NMF Emergency Scholarship Fund
347 Fifth Avenue Suite 510
New York, NY 10016
(212) 483-8880
info@nmfonline.org
19. Page Education Foundation Grants
Deadline: May 1st
With the mission of increasing participation of young people of color in post-secondary education, the Page Education Foundation Grants award between $1,000 and $2,500 annually to minority college students who demonstrate financial need, exhibit a positive attitude toward education and community service, and attend any post-secondary institution in Minnesota. In exchange for the financial support, grant recipients are expected to spend eight to ten hours each month mentoring or tutoring younger children of color.
Contact
Page Education Foundation Grants
P.O. Box 581254
Minneapolis, MN 55458
(612) 332-0406
amanda@page-ed.org
20. Phyllis G. Meekins Scholarship
Deadline: May 15th
Sponsored by the LPGA Foundation and the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Phyllis G. Meekins Scholarship is granted annually for $1,250 to one female high school senior from a recognized minority group who will be pursuing a full-time undergraduate degree and playing collegiate golf at any accredited U.S. college or university. Qualified candidates must demonstrate financial need, have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 or better, and submit two letters of recommendation from a high school golf coach and teacher.
Contact
Phyllis G. Meekins Scholarship
100 International Golf Drive
Daytona Beach, FL 32124
(386) 274-6200
foundation.scholarships@lpga.com
http://www.lpgafoundation.org/scholarships/phyllismeekins
21. Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science Program
Deadline: Varies
Each year, the Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS) Program is available to members of a historically underrepresented group who are actively pursuing a career related to atmospheric science with a major in meteorology, oceanography, physics, Earth science, environmental science, biology, or geosciences. Successful candidates for the ten-week summer internship program with a competitive stipend must have completed at least two years of college and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Contact
Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science Program
3090 Center Green Drive
Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 497-8622
SOARS@UCAR.edu
22. Thomas R. Dargan Minority Scholarship
Deadline: April 30th
In honor of a dedicated lifelong broadcaster, KATU awards the Thomas R. Dargan Minority Scholarship for $6,000 to minority U.S. citizens who are at least a sophomore enrolled in broadcasting, communications, or multi-media curriculum with a minimum GPA of 3.0 at any four-year university or accredited community college in Oregon or Washington. Along with the application, qualified candidates should submit a statement of financial need, an official transcript, three letters of recommendation, and a personal essay on professional goals.
Contact
Thomas R. Dargan Minority Scholarship
2153 NE Sandy Blvd.
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 231-4610
amnw@katu.com
23. UNT Multicultural Scholastic Award Program
Deadline: March 1st
At the University of North Texas, the Multicultural Scholastic Award (MSA) Program provides renewable scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 each academic year to academically talented students from diverse minority backgrounds who are enrolled full-time. While preference is given to Texas high school graduates and first-generation students, all applicants must have completed at least 25 hours of community service, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, scored at least 1000 on the SAT, and submit a brief autobiography.
See also: 25 Great Scholarships for First Generation Students
Contact
UNT Multicultural Scholastic Award Program
1155 Union Circle
Denton, TX 76203
(940) 369-7806
oci@unt.edu
24. Urban League of Nebraska Multicultural Association Scholarship
Deadline: March 3rd
Each year, the Urban League of Nebraska Multicultural Association Scholarship is granted for $2,500 to graduating high school seniors and/or currently enrolled college students in Nebraska who are members of an underrepresented ethnic, cultural, or racial minority group. In order to qualify for the scholarship funding, candidates must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, have participated in at least 10 hours of documented community involvement, compose a 500-word essay on educational goals, and submit two letters of recommendation.
Contact
Urban League of Nebraska Multicultural Association Scholarship
3040 Lake Street
Omaha, NE 68111
(402) 451-1066
rsmith@urbanleagueneb.org
25. Woods Hole Undergraduate Fellowships for Minorities
Deadline:
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution hosts annual Fellowships for Minorities to promising undergraduate students representing minority ethnic groups who are have completed at least one year of study at a U.S. institution with academic interests in physical or natural sciences, marine biology, oceanographic engineering, or marine policy. Selection for the ten-week program with a stipend of $500 per week will be strongly based on previous scientific achievements, current academic performance, and promise as future ocean scientists.
Contact
Woods Hole Undergraduate Fellowships for Minorities
266 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, MA 02543
(508) 548-1400
information@whoi.edu
http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=9377
As the hefty price tag of pursuing a college degree climbs and interest rates on student loans skyrocket, it is becoming more important than ever before for students to depend on multiple sources of funding to achieve their academic dreams without mountains of debt upon graduation. If you are an African American, Asian American, Native American, or Hispanic American student, be sure to check out these 25 great scholarships for minorities to alleviate the financial burden of higher education costs.
