Happy Black History Month! February is a time for celebrating the history and achievements of African-Americans. Since it’s also financial aid awareness month, we thought we’d do what we do best, and give you the inside scoop on scholarships looking to help black and other minority students this season. Here are our top picks.
Vinson & Elkins Diversity Scholarships
Award: $10,000 plus an internship
Deadline: April 1st
For: Minority Texas high school seniors looking to pursue legal studies
First up is an opportunity for our future advocates. Started in 1990, the Vinson & Elkins law firm targets students of color and LGBTQ students who wish to study law but are in need of financial assistance. Not only are there 7 awards up for grabs, but the firm also offers their scholars internships and mentoring. Students must be in the top 20% of their class, score higher than 1100 on the SAT or 22 on the ACT, and write a personal statement of 500-1500 words.
Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program
Award: $5,000 per year
Deadline: March 1st
For: Minority undergrad and grad students who want to be teachers
If you’re a minority student from Illinois with a passion for education, this program is for you. MTI will sponsor minority students who want to teach in any capacity. Applicants must be enrolled in or accepted to an institution of higher learning and maintain a 2.5 GPA to keep the scholarship.
Ruth D. Peterson Fellowship for Racial and Ethnic Diversity
Award: $6,000
Deadline: March 1st
For: PhD Minority criminal justice and criminology students
This one if for our social justice warriors. Named after Ruth D. Peterson, a professor of sociology at Ohio State University – whose research focuses on ethnic inequality in crime and consequences of criminal justice policies for racial and ethnic minorities – the fellowship hopes to alleviate underrepresentation in the field by helping students of color complete their degrees. There are 3 awards up for grabs. They want to know everything: a resume, a personal statement, a statement of need, your career plans and passion for the subject, and 3 reference letters.
American Bus Association (ABA) Diversity Scholarship
Award: $5,000
Deadline: April 4th
For: Undergraduate minority students studying fields related to travel and tourism
The American Bus Association wants more minority students in the management and operation ranks of the transportation, travel, and tourism industry. If transportation gets you rolling (excuse the pun), tell the ABA how you hope to participate in the future of transport, motor coach, travel, or tourism or hospitality in a 500-word essay.
Lagrant Foundation Scholarships
Award: $3,750 for grad students; $2,500 for undergrads
Deadline: February 28th
For: Minority students looking to work in advertising, marketing and public relations
Know how to make a sell? The Lagrant Foundation is dedicated to increasing minority representation in marketing, advertising, and PR. 30 lucky undergrads and 20 lucky grads with a passion for the field will be selected as scholars in this program. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and answer 3 essay questions as a part of their application.
American Chemistry Society (ACS) Scholars Program
Award: $5,000
Deadline: March 1st
For: Minority high school senior and undergraduate chemistry nerds
If you’re suspicious of atoms because they make up everything, then you’re in the right place. The ACS wants to help minority students with renewable scholarships to ensure their success. They want to see your official transcripts, 2 letters of recommendation, and a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR).
A. Grace Lee Mims Vocal Scholarship
Award: $10,000
Deadline: March 15th
For: African-American graduate/doctoral vocal students
Sponsored by the Cleveland foundation, this program continues the tradition of Negro spiritual singing – an art form created by enslaved Africans in America. African-American students who want to perform and/or teach the art are encouraged to apply. On top of a general application, they want to see 3 letters of recommendation, an audio tape of a recent performance, personal statement, and a budget for your educational expenses.
Blacks at Microsoft Scholarships
Award: $5,000 per year
Deadline: March 8th
For: Black high school seniors interested in tech
The employee resource group Blacks@Microsoft are looking for the next generation of black tech buffs. They’re giving out 2 awards and $1,500 to 5 runners-up on their way to college. They want to see 2 letters of recommendation, your resume, transcript, and 2 essays. If you’re interested in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or select business programs (such as finance, business administration, or marketing) then this is not an opportunity you want to miss.
Sachs Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship
Award: $6,000 per year
Deadline: April 15th
For whom: Black high school seniors in Colorado
The Sachs foundation sponsors talented college-bound high school students in the state of Colorado. If you have a 3.0 GPA, and are in need of financial aid, this general scholarship is perfect for you.
American Library Association (ALA) Spectrum Scholarship
Award: $5,000
Deadline: March 1st
For whom: Minority library and information studies graduate students
Calling all book worms who prefer novels over humans – this scholarship is for you! ALA wants to address the issue of underrepresentation in the librarian profession with their Spectrum program. This one-time award also comes with a membership to ALA and an all-expenses paid 3-day trip to the Spectrum Leadership Institute catered to Spectrum scholars.
That’s only a taste of all the opportunities we have found for you on Scholly. If you’re looking for more, look no further. With personalized scholarship-matching, in-app tracking tools to make sure you never miss a beat, and an AI-powered writing assistant, Scholly is your best chance at debt-free education.
Happy Black History Month and happy applying!