Scholarships for Students of Color

High school students planning to pursue full-time certificate or undergraduate programs at tribal colleges and accredited, nonprofit institutions can apply for scholarship funding. Applicants must provide documentation of tribal affiliation or descent, hold a minimum 2.0 GPA, and be in their last semester of high school.

The Native Forward Scholars Fund supports full-time students pursuing an accredited undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree in the U.S. Scholarship applicants must be an enrolled member or descendant of a recognized tribe, complete the FAFSA, provide required academic documentation, and provide contact information for two references. Need- and merit-based funding is available.

Enrolled members or descendants of a federally recognized Native American tribe may apply for scholarship support for their first bachelor’s degree. Part- or full-time enrollment is acceptable. Application requirements include a completed FAFSA, essay, statement of fees, proof of heritage, photo of applicant, and a current transcript.

Members of AISES enrolled full-time in a qualifying STEM field can apply for scholarships funded by AISES donors and partners. Options are available for undergraduate, graduate, and vocational students with a 3.0 GPA. Candidates must supply an application, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.

With a single application, students can apply for multiple scholarships from APCF partner donors. Typical requirements include family income limits, residency in select counties or states, and minimum GPAs. Most scholarships are open to all ethnicities, although the Taiwanese American Scholarship Fund limits eligibility to Taiwanese students, and the Wei-Chee Scholarship Fund limits eligibility to Chinese American students.

With one application, students can apply for all HCF scholarships for which they are eligible. Dozens of need-based scholarships are available to Hawai’i residents and students of Hawaiian ancestry across multiple fields of study. Some scholarships require letters of recommendation, essays, and active engagement in community service.

Each year, USPAACC awards 10-20 scholarships to high school seniors planning to enroll as full-time college students. Applications require responding to two essay questions, a high school transcript, two letters of recommendation, your family’s most recent household tax return, and a 2” x 2” photo of the applicant.

APIA’s scholarships are available to U.S. nationals, legal permanent residents, citizens, as well as citizens of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. Future and current undergraduates pursuing a two- or four-year degree can apply. An application form and a 250-500 word essay are required.

Graduating high school seniors and undergraduates may apply for a renewable $3,000 scholarship. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship, combined family income below $70,000, and a demonstrated commitment to public service. No specific major is required. Applicants must provide two recommendation letters, a personal statement, and an essay.

TCMF’s scholarships are available to full-time students at publicly supported HBCUs, HBCCs, and predominantly Black institutions. Requirements include a 2.7-2.75 minimum GPA, demonstrated financial need, and either a two-minute video or 100-word essay, depending on the scholarship you apply for. All majors are considered.

The Fidelity Scholars program is limited to permanent residents of CO, FL, KY, MA, NC, NH, NJ, NM, OH, RI, TX, UT, or Washington, D.C., pursuing a first-time bachelor’s degree. Applicants must have a GPA between 2.5 and 3.59, be between the ages of 16 and 24, and have demonstrated financial need.

Applicants pursuing, or preparing to pursue, a full-time undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree are eligible to apply for CBCF scholarship opportunities. Common eligibility requirements include a minimum 2.5-3.0 GPA, U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, and residing in a district represented by a CBC member. Applications require an essay or video response, transcripts, and recommendation letters.

HSF awards more than $30 million in merit-based scholarships each year, with award amounts based on relative need. Undergraduate and graduate students of all races who identify as Hispanic may apply. Applicants must be enrolled full-time, meet minimum GPA requirements, and be a U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, or DACA recipient.

SHPE has awarded more than $6,000,000 in scholarships since 2018. Applicants can submit a single application to be considered for all opportunities for which they are eligible. Basic eligibility requirements include active SHPE membership and a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applicants must plan to attend a two- or four-year institution to pursue a STEM degree.

LULAC awards three types of scholarships – general awards, honors awards, and national scholastic achievement awards – based on minimum GPA, personal essays, community involvement, and need. Applicants must have a participating LULAC Council in their area and be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or DACA recipient. Associate, bachelor’s, and graduate students are eligible.

Annual HACU scholarships, funded by various sponsorship partners, offer opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students across multiple majors. Common eligibility requirements include a minimum 2.5-3.0 GPA and enrollment at a two- or four-year HACU member institution in the U.S. or Puerto Rico. Proof of financial aid may be required.

Each year, 40-45 students receive merit-based scholarships from the Chicana Latina Foundation. Applicants must self-identify as Chicana and/or Latina, attend college or graduate school in one of 13 eligible Northern California counties, and meet minimum GPA requirements. In addition to providing personal insight responses and a letter of recommendation, semi-finalists must complete in-person interviews.

This privately-funded scholarship aims to support the higher education goals of women from immigrant families. Female-identifying high school seniors and undergraduates in their first two years of study may apply. Applicants must complete an essay, major in a STEM field, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and be a first- or second-generation immigrant.

The Society of Women Engineers offers scholarship support to women of color who attend, or plan to attend, an HBCU or Hispanic-serving institution. Eligibility requirements include first-generation status, a minimum 3.0-3.5 GPA, and a major related to computer science, information technology, or engineering. Both undergraduate and graduate students may apply.

NWSA provides scholarly awards to women and nonbinary people of color currently enrolled in graduate and doctoral programs. Awards recognize and support scholarly writing and research projects related to feminist/womanist issues; transgender studies; lesbian studies; and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. Applicants must hold an active individual NWSA membership.