Scholarship

A scholarship is an award of access to an institution or a financial aid award for an individual (a "scholar") for the purposes of furthering their education. A scholarship may be awarded based on range of criteria, which usually reflect the views or purposes of the donor or founder of the award.

Another meaning of “scholarship“ is the pursuit of a research subject, usually in arts or humanities (as opposed to science). In both scholarly and scientific fields, the word “scholarship“ is used to mean deep mastery of a research subject, often achieved through university studies

Merit-based - financial aid for which financial need is not used to determine the recipient. The recipient may be determined by students’ athletic, academic, artistic or other abilities. The actual monetary value of the scholarship may be negligible, the scholarship being meant to motivate the student and promote the study of the subject. However, this is not always the case and the largest scholarships are almost always merit-based.

Need-based - financial aid for which the student and family’s financial situation is a primary factor in determining the recipient. Usually such scholarship will cover all or part of the tuition and may even cover living-costs. Very often even need-based private scholarships require the awardees to be distinguished students, as the deed founding the award may include a phrase like: “for the studies of founder's favourite subject in founder's favourite institution of higher education for a talented youths of limited means from founder's home town/county/state etc.“

Ethnicity-based - financial aid where applicants must initially qualify by race, religion, or national origin. After filtering the applicants based on their ethnicity, additional factors are taken into consideration to determine the final recipients.

More Scholarships

1.Ron Brown Scholarships

The award: Leadership, community service, all fields. The deadline is usually in January. This is one of most prestigious scholarships and it's very, very competitive. Details at site.

2.Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship

The award: $6,000 per year. Number of winners about 100. It's renewable. Academic merit, leadership, community service, all fields. Deadline is usually in April. Details at site.

3.Project Excellence Scholarships

The award: $4,000 or higher (to full tuition). Number of winners: at least 600. Academic merit, leadership, community service, all fields. Deadline: Feb. 1. Details at site.

4.United Negro College Fund Scholarships

The UNCF is one of our major scholarship gateways. The awards are of varying amounts, and there are a great many under different names and requirements Grandmet, Duracell, for example). The deadline is usually December. Details at site.

5.Kodak Scholarships

The award: varying amounts to $5,000. Number of awards: Varies. For those studying in
film/cinematography at U.S. colleges. Details at site

6.Intel Science Talent Search

The award is from $5,000 to $100,000. There are approx. 40 awards in this prestigious competition. You must present a scientific research project. Deadline: December. Details at site.

7.NACME Scholarships-(National Action Council For Minorities in Engineering).

The award amounts to $20,000, and many are awarded. This is our major engineering scholarship gateway. You must be an engineering student. The deadline is usually in
February. Go to the website for details, or contact from aid official at your college.

8.Gates Millennium Scholarships

The Gates Millennium Scholarship is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for thousands of outstanding students with significant financial need. The scholarship will cover room, board and tuition for at least 1,000 high school students a year. Nomination material for 2002-2003 will be available November 2001. Go to website for details.

9.NSBE Scholarships-(National Society of Black Engineers).

Award amount: Generally range from $1,500 to $3,000 for members of NSBE. Number of awards varies. This is primarily for engineering students, and others majoring in related disciplines. Deadlines vary. Details at website.

10.American Institute Of Certified Public Accountants Scholarships (AICPA).

For undergraduates studying accounting at a U.S. college with at least 30 credits completed. Awards up to $5,000 with about 300 winners annually. Deadline is in July. Go to website for GPA requirements and details.

11.Developmental Fund for Black Students in Science and Technology Scholarships

Award amount: $2,000 and renewable. Several Scholarships granted. This is for science or engineering students at HBCUs. Deadline is June 15.

12.Coca-Cola Scholars Scholarships

This is a major competition with hundreds of over 250 awards going to "scholars," with academic, leadership, and talent qualities. The award amount is from $4,000 to $20,000. You can apply on-line. The deadline is October 31.

13.Ambassadorial Scholarships

This is the prestigious "Rotary" organization scholarship for students who can speak another language and want to study abroad in the "host" country of that language. Award amounts are from $10,000 to $23,000 for a 3 month to full year of study abroad. You should have completed at least 2 years of college work.

14.Ronald McDonald USA National Employees Scholarships.

Students must be studying at a HBCU which is a member of the UNCF. The award is from $1,000 to full tuition. Approx. 60 students are selected. The deadline is April 1. Go to website for details.

15.Xerox Technology Minority Scholarship

type in "Scholarship" in the search engine. This is a good scholarship for strong minority scholarships for students studying in areas like chemistry, engineering, physics, and "tech" areas. The award amount is up to $4,000 for undergraduates and more for graduate students. The deadline is Sept.15. Go to web location for details.

16.Alpha Kappa Alpha Scholarships

The above link is to the Chicago headquarters and that gateway of scholarships. Note that there are over 700 AKA Chapters, and you would be wise to contact sorors in your local vicinity. Scholarship opportunities abound. The deadline at AKA headquarters is Feb. 15. Applications (at the website) must be sent between Dec. 1st and January 30th each year.
*Note: all of our Greeks (listed in our Black Excel college guide) offer scholarships, and you should contact your local chapters.

17.NCAA Scholarships -(National Collegiate Athletic Association)

This is the major NCAA sport association with which student-athletes are associated. Awards are given in all sports categories, amounts from $3,000 to $12,500. Awards are also available for sports-related study (such as sports journalism). Deadlines vary, as do the number of awards each year.

18.National Alliance for Excellence Scholarships

The student competitors can be seniors or already in college. They must submit an application that can include recommendations (academics), art (slides), dance (tapes), photographs, or other materials that point to talent and achievement in all areas. The awards are for a minimum of one year, and over 100 are granted. Applications can be
submitted at any time. The selection process is ongoing. Go to the website.

19.Harry S. Truman Scholarship

The is one of the most prestigious scholarships, shaped for students who intend to pursue a career targeted to public service or government. Graduate study should be a goal, with a portion of the funds directed there. You must be at least a junior, and your college must nominate you. A "nomination package" must be created. The awards can reach as high as $30,000 over the years. Generally about 80 students are selected. The deadline is February 1st. Go to website for details.

20.National Association of Hispanic Journalist

Awards from $1000-$5000 Students interested in journalism as a career can apply. Deadline is Feb 28th. See web site for application and information.

21.National Association of Black Journalists

NABJ offers 10 scholarships. It's a $2,500 award. Students should be attending a four-year university. They must present three letters of recommendation from a school adviser, dean or a faculty member. Also, a 500-800 word article on a Black journalist must be presented. A grade point average of 3.0 is desirable. Eligible students must be majoring in journalism-print, photography, radio or television. One of those should be a career goal. Deadline is March 31. Go to website for details.

22.Hispanic College Fund Scholarships

Major site for Hispanic students majoring in business-related areas, A to Z (accounting, human resources, communications, and more). The award amount varies. Over 140 awards granted. Deadline: April.

23.Arts Recognition And Talent Search Awards

These awards are granted to high school or college students (17, 18 years of age) who show talent in dance, voice, music, art, photography, jazz, visual arts, writing, or other creative areas. You must audition or submit a portfolio or tape. The award is to be used for freshman year in college. Award amounts from $100 to $3,000. Deadline is June 1 or April 1 (for registration in specific regions).

24.Society of Women Engineer Scholarships

These scholarships are targeted for women who are majoring in engineering or computer science. Award amount are from $200 to $5,000, and at least 90 are granted. The deadline for students already in college is February 1st but is May 15 for high school seniors entering an "accredited" program.

25.McDonald's USA - Scholarships

With the aid of our franchisees and Ronald McDonald House Charities, McDonald's is proud to sponsor several education scholarship programs.
The award: Leadership, community service, all fields. The deadline is usually in January. This is one of most prestigious scholarships and it's very, very competitive. Details at site.