Scholarships and Resources for Minority Students

Discover 40 scholarship opportunities and additional student support that can help make your college and career dreams a reality.

STEPS Staff
Written By

STEPS Staff

Updated

08/14/2020

Everyone deserves the opportunity to go to college. But it doesn’t come cheap, and even after getting in, it can be tough to find academic and career support without knowing where to look. As a minority student, there are countless financial, educational and professional resources designed to help you afford college and prepare for your chosen career. On this page, we’ve highlighted more than 40 minority-focused scholarships and resources that help make higher education more diverse and accessible – including those for students who plan to pursue degrees and careers in public service fields like environmental conservation, law enforcement, and public policy. Read on to find the help you need paying for and succeeding in college.

Scholarships & Grants for Minority Students

Many general and public-service-oriented scholarships exist for minority students. This gift aid can help offset the cost of college dramatically, making it easier to earn a degree without breaking the bank. Browse the list below to see which awards you may qualify for.

General Scholarships & Grants

Organization

BLM² Scholarship Foundation

Amount

$1,000

Deadline

7/3/20 (Annual)

Eligibility

This biblically-based program serves minority students of all ethnic/racial backgrounds who demonstrate commitment to high achievement. They must also plan to attend a four-year college.

How to Apply

Applicants must live in Illinois and provide official transcripts demonstrating a 3.0 or higher GPA. They must also supply official ACT/SAT scores and answers to essay questions.

Organization

Burger Kind McLamore Foundation

Amount

Up to $50,000

Deadline

12/15/20 (Annual)

Eligibility

Students from any minority group can apply to this award if they work at Burger King or have a relative who does. They must have a high school GPA of 2.5 or higher and be starting a degree at a two-year, four-year, or vocational school.

How to Apply

Applicants must provide a completed form, evidence of BK employment, official transcripts, resume, community service information, and financial details.

Organization

General Board of Higher Education and Ministry

Amount

Up to $900

Deadline

3/5/21 (Annual)

Eligibility

Individuals of a racial/minority group who have been members of the United Methodist Church for at least one year can apply, provided they are pursuing an undergraduate degree.

How to Apply

Students must supply a completed application, official transcripts demonstrating a 2.5 GPA or higher, and a letter from their church showing at least one year of membership at the time of applying.

Organization

Gates Millennium Scholars Program

Amount

Varies

Deadline

9/15/20 (Annual)

Eligibility

Students of any ethnic or racial minority group can apply to this award if enrolling full-time as a first-time student and possessing a 3.3 or higher GPA.

How to Apply

Required materials include an application, nominator form, recommender form, and financial need documentation.

Organization

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

Amount

Varies

Deadline

12/1/20 (Annual)

Eligibility

The Grand Rapids Community Foundation provides a variety of scholarships open to all minority students provided they live in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

How to Apply

Completing one general application qualifies students to apply for more than 70 different scholarships. They should supply a list of awards, academic transcripts, an essay, and information about financial need.

Organization

Asian Pacific Fund

Amount

$2,000 (renewable)

Deadline

4/24/20 (Annual)

Eligibility

Farm workers or children of farm or migrant farm workers can apply to this award, regardless of ethnic or racial background. They must demonstrate financial need.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit a completed form, essays, recent transcripts demonstrating a 3.0 or higher GPA, and two letters of recommendation.

Organization

The LaGrant Foundation

Amount

$2,500

Deadline

2/28/21 (Annual)

Eligibility

Students belonging to a minority ethnic group can apply if they’re enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree and possess a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit a typed application, one reference letter, current resume, unofficial transcripts, and a headshot.

Arab Americans and Other Middle Eastern Americans

Organization

American Federation of Ramalla Palestine

Amount

Varies

Deadline

5/1/20 (Annual)

Eligibility

This award supports Palestinian and Palestinian American students from low-income backgrounds who want to attend a college or university.

How to Apply

Applicants should email [email protected] and ask for a scholarship application.

Organization

Lebanese American Heritage Center

Amount

Varies

Deadline

9/15/20 (Annual)

Eligibility

Lebanese Americans living in Michigan can apply to this award if in their final year of high school. They must also possess a 3.5 GPA or higher, show financial need, and be available to attend two mandatory meetings.

How to Apply

Applicants should supply a competed form, most recent academic transcript, two letters of recommendation, a Student Aid Report (SAR), ACT/SAT scores, and a 500-word essay.

Asian Americans & Pacific Islander Americans

Organization

Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship

Amount

Up to $20,000

Deadline

1/20/21 (Annual)

Eligibility

Students of Asian or Pacific Islander descent can apply to this award if they are the first in their family to attend college and live at or below the poverty level.

How to Apply

Applicants must supply a completed application, financial information, evidence of community service and leadership potential, and official transcripts.

Organization

Central California Asian Pacific Women

Amount

Varies

Deadline

6/30/20 (Annual)

Eligibility

Asian and Pacific Islander women working towards a higher education degree can apply to this award if from California. Priority is given to first generation students who demonstrate academic achievement and/or leadership potential.

How to Apply

Applicants must supply a Student Aid Report, one letter of recommendation, official or unofficial transcripts, evidence of acceptance, and a photograph.

Organization

U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce

Amount

Up to $5,000

Deadline

5/15/20 (Annual)

Eligibility

Asian or Pacific Islander students starting a full-time degree at an accredited college can apply if they possess a 3.3 GPA or higher, act as a leader in extracurricular activities, and have financial need.

How to Apply

Required materials include a photo, 350- to 400-word essay, high school transcripts, most recent household tax returns, and two letters of recommendation.

Black / African Americans

Organization

Poise Foundation

Amount

$2,000

Deadline

Spring 2021 (Annual)

Eligibility

NAACP members who can demonstrate financial need and are enrolled on a full-time basis can apply if they possess a 2.5 GPA in undergrad or 3.0 GPA in graduate school.

How to Apply

Required materials include a completed application, recent academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and financial need documentation.

Organization

Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Amount

$7,500

Deadline

4/27/20 (Annual)

Eligibility

Full-time students attending an HBCU with a 3.0 or higher GPA can apply if currently working on a professor-led research project and able to demonstrate leadership qualities.

How to Apply

Students must supply their most recent Student Aid Report, most recent transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and answers to three essay questions.

Organization

Institute for the International Education of Students Abroad

Amount

$5,000

Deadline

5/1/20 & 11/1/20 (Annual)

Eligibility

Minority students who want to study abroad but lack the funding to do so can apply to this award. They must attend a member school of the IES Abroad Consortium.

How to Apply

Applicants must demonstrate financial need, present a brief written bio statement, and provide a one-page statement about the study abroad experience after returning.

Hispanic / Latinx Americans

Organization

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Amount

Up to $5,000

Deadline

2/15/21 (Annual)

Eligibility

Students of Hispanic heritage working towards a degree at any level can receive this award if studying on a full-time basis.

How to Apply

Students must demonstrate a minimum high school GPA of 3.0 or minimum college GPA of 2.5. They must also provide a FAFSA application and participate in an interview if they move to the finalist phase.

Organization

TheDream.US

Amount

$14,000 for an associate degree and $29,000 for a bachelor’s degree, renewable

Deadline

2/27/21 (Annual)

Eligibility

Students with DACA or TPS authorization who qualify for in-state tuition at a partner college can complete for this award if they arrived in America prior to age 16.

How to Apply

Applicants must demonstrate financial need and a 2.5 or higher GPA. They must supply official transcripts, letter of acceptance, personal essay, and letters of recommendation.

Native Americans & Alaska Natives

Organization

Daughters of the American Revolution

Amount

$4,000

Deadline

2/15/21 (Annual)

Eligibility

Native American students belonging to any recognized tribe can apply regardless of location. They can pursue undergraduate or graduate study, though undergraduates receive preference.

How to Apply

Applicants should demonstrate financial need and academic achievement, proof of American Indian heritage, and transcripts showing a GPA of 3.25 or higher.

Organization

American Indian College Fund

Amount

Varies

Deadline

5/31/20 (Annual)

Eligibility

Applicants should be affiliated with a tribe and provide proof of enrollment via their parents or grandparents. Students can be seeking education at the associate, bachelor’s, or graduate level.

How to Apply

Applicants need to apply a completed application, academic transcripts, evidence of a 2.0 or higher GPA, and a digital photo

Organization

American Indian Education Fund

Amount

$2,000 per year

Deadline

4/4/21 (Annual)

Eligibility

Native American and Alaska Native students enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program can apply to this scholarship if they possess a GPA of 2.0 or higher and can submit ACT scores and evidence of full-time enrollment.

How to Apply

Students must submit an application, community involvement form, essay, tribal enrollment document/card, recent transcripts, and a photo of themselves.

Scholarships & Grants in Public Service

Organization

American College of Healthcare Executives

Amount

$5,000

Deadline

4/30/20 (Annual)

Eligibility

Minority students currently enrolled full-time in an MHA, MPH, or MBA in healthcare administration or a similar topic can apply if in their final year of studies.

How to Apply

Scholarship requirements include demonstrated financial need, current resume, undergraduate and graduate transcripts, three reference letters, and an application essay.

Organization

American Political Science Association

Amount

Up to $4,000

Deadline

4/17/21 (Annual)

Eligibility

Students of African American, Asian Pacific, Latino, or Native American heritage can receive APSA funding if working towards a doctorate in political science or public administration.

How to Apply

Application checklist includes an online application form, letter of enrollment verification, official transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.

Organization

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Amount

$15,000 plus tuition remission

Deadline

Due with program application

Eligibility

Exceptional students from underrepresented minority populations can apply for this graduate scholarship if attending Rutgers and studying public policy.

How to Apply

Students receive consideration for this award when submitting their application to the Blouistein School of Planning and Public Policy.

Organization

Sutliff & Stout Law Firm

Amount

$1,500

Deadline

7/31/20 (Annual)

Eligibility

Minority students working towards a legal career can a