Women and people of color are disproportionately impacted by student debt. Minority students shouldn’t let finance stand in the way of your college dreams, though.
Look to maximize your financial aid and apply for scholarships to help you pay for college.
Aside from the curated list of scholarships for minorities in this article, you can often find scholarships for your specific race, ethnicity, gender or interest – for example, scholarships for Black students, scholarships for Hispanic students, scholarships for women, scholarships for LGBTQ, and scholarships for women in STEM. And, of course, there are more general scholarships that you may qualify for based on your GPA, grade level, major or other factors.
Here are some of the best scholarships for minorities.
N.G. Kaul Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: Offered by The New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), the N.G. Kaul…
Moss Adams Foundation Scholarship
Amount: $1,000. About: The Educational Foundation for Women In Accounting (EFWA) offers the Moss Adams…
AIGA Worldstudio D×D Scholarships
Amount: Up to $5,000. About: The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) offers Worldstudio DxD…
AICPA Fellowship for Minority Doctoral Students
Amount: $12,000. About: AICPA Fellowships for Minority Doctoral Students are annually awarded to minority doctoral-level…
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
Amount: Up to $30,000 (over 4 years). About: The Jackie Robinson Foundation runs a four-year…
AFCEA Undergraduate Diversity Scholarship
Amount: $3,000. About: The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) annually offers the AFCEA…
Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program for High School Seniors
Amount: $10,000. About: In 2021, the Sallie Mae Fund partnered with the Thurgood Marshall College…
Mutual of Omaha Actuarial Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: The Mutual of Omaha Actuarial Scholarship is annually awarded to minority students…
Hyatt Hotels Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students
Amount: $3,000. About: Offered by the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) Foundation, the Hyatt…
GRCF Miller Johnson West Michigan Diversity Law School Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: Administered by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation (GRCF), the Miller Johnson West…
NSCS Scholarship for Minority Students in STEM
Amount: $2,500. About: The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) Scholarship for Minority Students in…
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Amount: Up to $6,000. About: Offered by the California Teachers Association (CTA), the Martin Luther…
Maureen L. and Howard Blitman, P.E., Scholarship to Promote Diversity in Engineering
Amount: $5,000. About: The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) offers the Maureen L. and…
NATAS Inclusion Scholarship
Amount: $10,000. About: The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) — known best…
TCA Study Abroad Scholarship Program for American Minority Students
Amount: $500-$2,000. About: The Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) offers up to 100 awards under…
AICPA Foundation Fellowship for Accounting Doctoral Students
Amount: $15,000. About: This program brings together the AICPA Fellowship for Minority Doctoral Students, the…
CVS Health Foundation Health Care Careers Scholarship
Amount: $10,000. About: Administered by UNCF, The CVS Health Foundation Health Care Careers Scholarship is…
ICSC Undergraduate Diversity Scholarship
Amount: $5,000 (renewable for sophomores and juniors). About: The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)…
AIFS Diversity Achievement Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: The American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) Diversity Scholarship is annually awarded…
Brown and Caldwell Minority Scholarship Program
Amount: $5,000. About: Each year, Brown and Caldwell, an engineering consulting firm focused on the…
FARE Health Equity Scholars Program
Amount: $10,000. About: Established in 2022, Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) has partnered with…
Journey Toward Ordained Ministry Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: The Journey Toward Ordained Ministry Scholarship is one of several scholarships offered…
Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program (Master’s and Doctoral)
Amount: . About: Funded by a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services…
ICSC Graduate Diversity Scholarship
Amount: $5,000. About: The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Graduate Diversity Scholarship is awarded…
Raytheon Intelligence & Space Underrepresented Minorities in Cybersecurity Scholarship
Amount: $10,000. About: Administered by the Center for Cyber Safety and Education, the Raytheon Intelligence…
Vinson & Elkins Scholarship Foundation
Amount: $10,000. About: The law firm Vinson & Elkins annually awards scholarships to minority students…
Mantra College Mental Health Provider Diversity Scholarship
Amount: $3,000 (3 awards). About: Mantra Health, a company that provides virtual mental health care to…
NBCC Minority Fellowship Program for Mental Health Counselors (Master’s)
Amount: $10,000. About: The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) Foundation’s Minority Fellowship Program for…
ACS Scholars Program
Amount: $1,000-$5,000. About: American Chemical Society Scholarships are annually awarded to minority students who are…
Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship for Racial Ethnic Minority Students
Amount: $2,500. About: Offered by the United Methodist Church, the Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship…
The scholarships listed above are just some of the best scholarships we’ve found for you. There are many other scholarships out there.
Use TUN’s Scholarship Search Engine to find more scholarships for you.
To keep on top of new scholarships as they are offered, be sure to join the TUN Community. We will let you know about scholarships that you qualify for.
When to apply for scholarships
Each scholarship has a specific deadline. These deadlines occur throughout the year, so you can find one for any time of the year. Keep in mind, however, that some scholarship deadlines may fall months, even a year, before the start of the academic year for which you’re seeking a scholarship.
So, if you’re a high school student looking to get a scholarship for your freshman year of college, you should start the search process early. While you don’t necessarily have to apply for scholarships in your freshman or sophomore year, you will develop a sense of scholarships that are available so you can apply when you’re ready.
If you’re a current college student, you should be looking for scholarships throughout the year. That way, if you find an award that appeals to you, you’ll be ahead of the game.
And when you apply, be sure to meet the deadline for each specific scholarship.
How to apply for scholarships
Each scholarships has its its own unique requirements and qualifications. The first step to successfully applying for any scholarship is reading the details carefully. Make sure that you fit the eligibility criteria and fill out the application completely.
Pay attention to what’s required of you. For example, if you need a recommendation letter, you should request one way ahead of time so you have one by the time you apply. If an essay is required, start writing weeks before the deadline so you have an essay you can be proud of before the due date.
Aim to send in your application at least a few days before the deadline. This way, you avoid the risk of getting sidelined by technical glitches, tests, heavy homework load, or illness.
And don’t forget to submit everything required of you as part of your application.
For more tips on how to apply for scholarships, check here.
How to find scholarships
Colleges may offer either merit-based or need-based scholarships or both. You can usually find most of the information by clicking on their “financial aid” page. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to email or call their financial aid office.
There are also outside scholarships — like the ones listed above — that are sponsored by companies, organizations, foundations, and individuals as a way to give back to their communities. The awards can cover your entire tuition or a portion of it. Some scholarships have a GPA requirement or are based on financial need, while others embrace a cause or emphasize community involvement, athletic achievement, diversity, passion, and much more.
So, how do you find outside scholarships like these?
Start your search with TUN’s Scholarship Search Engine to find scholarships that are ideal for you. You can search by grade level, GPA, major, state of residency, scholarship name, or deadline month. You can also browse through our featured scholarships, some available only through TUN, and a collated list of scholarships for specific groups of students.
You should also check with your high school or college to see if they have a list of scholarships. Your guidance counselor may have the list or point you to someone who can help you. They may also be in the know about scholarships sponsored by local stores or organizations.
Your family is yet another good source of scholarships. Your parents or guardians may work for a company that offers scholarships for dependents of employees.
If you work while in high school or college, you may also qualify for an employee scholarship.
For more tips on how to find scholarships, check here.
How to get scholarships
Scholarships, especially ones with high awards, can be very competitive. In some cases, you may be competing against thousands of students.
So, how do you increase your chances of winning a scholarship?
First, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria and submit all the information required of you, including recommendation letters, transcripts, and resume.
Second, be sure to distinguish yourself from the other applicants. Your essay, if that’s required, is what makes you unique so let your personality and creativity shine through. How do you do that?
You can achieve that “by showing instead of telling,” according to Sarah Chomette, an eAdviser with the College Advising Corps.
“When answering a creative prompt or inputting your personal statement, it’s important to provide the reader with a story instead of just telling them about your goals and accomplishments,” she said. “That can be kind of boring and it makes you get lost in the crowd.”
A successful essay must include four major components, Chomette explained. First, make sure that you convey your personal values. Second, be open and honest to help the reader feel a connection with you. Third, let the reader know why your story is important. Fourth, your writing must show that you put time and effort into it.
If a scholarship asks for a video or infographic instead of an essay, the same principle applies.
To summarize, always put thought and effort into your whole application and submit your best work. There should be no obvious errors or typos. And if you need to submit a recommendation letter, reflect on who knows you best and whose recommendation would help your application the most.
Are scholarships taxable?
Typically, scholarships are not taxable. However, it can depend on how the scholarship money is being used, according to federal tax laws.
Scholarship dollars are tax-exempt if they are going to a degree-seeking candidate and are being used to pay for tuition and fees required for enrollment, books, supplies, and other educational expenses.
Scholarships are not tax-exempt, and you must report them as “gross income,” if they are used to pay for room and board, travel, or optional equipment.
If you have additional questions, you should reach out to the financial aid office of your prospective or current college or university.