Scholarships for HBCU Students

Explore scholarships designed to support students at HBCUs and other financial aid opportunities.

Updated on February 6, 2026

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If you’re planning to attend a historically Black college or university (HBCU), you might be eligible for scholarships specifically designed to support students at these schools.

This list might look smaller than in years prior. That’s because many private organizations ended their HBCU scholarship programs following Trump administration guidance that challenged diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at publicly funded institutions.

That said, we found organizations and companies, including the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the HBCU Endowment Fund, that are still awarding scholarships specifically to support HBCU students.

These scholarships can give you extra financial support beyond the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for academic excellence, leadership, or financial need.

2026-2027 HBCU Scholarships

Private organizations and companies offer scholarships for HBCU or Black and African American students based on financial need, merit, or both. While this list is by no means exhaustive, it will give you a good starting point for financial aid.

Enterprise Access HBCC Scholarship

Who Is Eligible: U.S. citizens or permanent residents with financial need enrolled in a Thurgood Marshall College Fund member historically Black community college
Application Deadline: April 24
Award Amount: Up to $1,500

McDonald’s Black and Positively Golden Scholarship

Who Is Eligible: U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled full-time in a Thurgood Marshall College Fund member HBCU who demonstrate financial need and leadership qualities
Application Deadline: April 24
Award Amount: Up to $15,000

Delta Community Credit Union HBCU Scholarship

Who Is Eligible: Georgia resident HBCU undergraduates or high school seniors accepted to an HBCU
Application Deadline: April 30
Award Amount: $5,000

Crum & Forster (C&F) Scholarship

Who Is Eligible: Undergraduate juniors and seniors majoring in a business-related field at any accredited four-year HBCU
Application Deadline: February 16
Award Amount: $5,000

STEM Excellence Award

Who Is Eligible: Students pursuing a degree in a STEM field at an HBCU
Application Deadline: March 31
Award Amount: $5,000

Artificial Intelligence Innovators Scholarship

Who Is Eligible: HBCU students interested in AI or data science pursuing a major or minor in a STEM field
Application Deadline: April 14
Award Amount: $4,500

HBCU Bound General Scholarship

Who Is Eligible: Students enrolled or planning to enroll at an HBCU demonstrating financial need and academic achievement
Application Deadline: April 30
Award Amount: $2,500

HBCU Bound Scholarship

Who is Eligible: Graduating high school seniors planning to enroll at an HBCU in Fall 2026
Application Deadline: April 1
Award Amount: $1,000

Honorable Mention Scholarships

Foundations serving Black students offer these scholarships, open to Black and African American students or all applicants.

UNCF Element Fleet Scholarship

Who Is Eligible: Full-time junior and senior college students with unmet financial need interested in business-related fields (preference given to HBCU students)
Application Deadline: March 3
Award Amount: Up to $2,500

The Ron Brown Signature Scholarship

Who Is Eligible: Black and African American high school seniors with financial need, leadership potential, community service experience, and academic excellence
Application Deadline: December
Award Amount: $40,000 ($10,000 per school year)

The Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund

Who Is Eligible: U.S. citizens or permanent residents under 25 with financial need at a two- or four-year institution
Application Deadline: April 30
Award Amount: Varies

Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation Scholarships

Who Is Eligible: Full-time, sophomore or beyond students enrolled in an accredited degree-granting institution
Application Deadline: March – April
Award Amount: Varies

Grants for HBCU Students

HBCU students demonstrating financial need can be eligible for these grants by submitting the FAFSA. Depending on your school and major, you would get these grants as part of your financial aid package if you’re eligible.

Federal Pell Grant

Who Is Eligible: U.S. citizens who demonstrate financial need through the FAFSA and are enrolled in an eligible Title IV higher education program, including trade, undergraduate, or graduate studies
Application Deadline: June 30 (FAFSA deadline)
Award Amount: Up to $7,395

Previously, students whose parents or guardians died during military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after Sept. 11, 2001, qualified for Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants (IASG). Now, those students qualify for the maximum Pell Grant regardless of their Student Aid Index.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

Who Is Eligible: Undergraduate students with exceptional financial need enrolled in a participating higher education institution
Application Deadline: June 30 (FAFSA deadline)
Award Amount: $100-$4,000 per year

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant

Who Is Eligible: Undergraduate and graduate teaching students who agree to teach for at least four years at low-income schools in high-need fields within eight years of graduation
Application Deadline: June 30 (FAFSA deadline)
Award Amount: Up to $4,000 per year

Frequently Asked Questions About HBCU Scholarships

Do HBCUs offer free tuition?

Some HBCUs offer free tuition to students in need. Virginia State University and Norfolk State University both offer free tuition to Virginians within a certain mile radius.