A mix of national and HBCU-specific scholarships can significantly reduce college costs for Black students and HBCU scholars.
Completing the FAFSA opens the door to federal, state, and institutional aid and should be done as early as possible.
Simple habits—like reusing essays, applying to a range of awards, and free financial counselingfree financial counseling—make the process less stressful and more successful.
Paying for college can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re juggling work, family responsibilities, or a tight budgettight budget. If you’re a Black student or planning to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), the financial aid research process can add an extra layer of stress. With that in mind, here’s an easy-to-scan guide designed to help you figure out which awards you may qualify for in the coming months.
FAFSA: The Fastest Way to Unlock More Aid
First: start with the FAFSA to unlock federal, state, and school-based aid. Think of the FAFSA as your entry ticket to federal grants, work-study, and many scholarships. The 2026–27 FAFSA is live, and the federal deadline is June 30, 2027; many states and schools set earlier priority dates, so file ASAP. Start at the official Federal Student Aid site—not a third-party site—to avoid scams.
Black Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines (2026)
As a next step, apply for scholarships aligned with your background, major, and pathway. This list of scholarships for Black and African American students is sourced from Scholarships.com and features upcoming scholarship deadlines in 2026, with a focus on spring and early-year opportunities students can still apply for. Scholarships are sorted by deadlines to help students prioritize applications and maximize funding opportunities.
For details on any specific award, head over to the official Scholarships.com listing. Amounts, eligibility requirements, and deadlines can change yearly, so always verify each program’s official website before applying.
| Deadline | Scholarship | Award | Eligibility |
| Feb 1 | Sarah Scott Schofield Scholarship | $2,500 | HS seniors, Mecklenburg County, NC |
| Feb 1 | Era L. and Frances L. Walker Scholarship | Varies | CFNIL universal application |
| Feb 1 | Dr. Gussie M. Ware Memorial Scholarship | Varies | CFNIL donor-directed |
| Feb 1 | LPGA Renee Powell Scholarship | $5,000 | Black/African American female golfers |
| Feb 14 | Dr. Wynetta A. Frazier “Sister-to-Sister” Scholarship | $1,000 | African American women (21+, returning students) |
| Feb 14 | FTE Fellowships for Doctoral Students | $35,000 | Underrepresented doctoral students (religion/theology) |
| Feb 15 | American Association of Blacks in Energy Scholarship | $20,000 | Energy, business, STEM students |
| Feb 27 | Advocates for African Americans Carolinas Scholarship | $2,000 | NC & SC students |
| Mar 1 | GRCF Black Men Building Resources Scholarship | $5,000 | African American men, Kent County, MI |
| Mar 1 | Anna V. Waters Scholarship | $2,000 | African American HS seniors |
| Mar 3 | Felix and Juantia Rhue Scholarship | $1,000 | Georgetown County, SC seniors |
| Mar 14 | PG&E Black ERG Scholarship | $5,000 | CA students (STEM & others) |
| Mar 15 | Papy W. Saygbay Scholarship | $1,000 | DFW seniors, Fine Arts |
| Mar 15 | Sachs Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship | Up to $50,000 | Black students in Colorado |
| Mar 15 | Victoria Merchant Saygbay Scholarship | $1,000 | DFW seniors, Education |
| Mar 21 | Chasers Charities Jackie Robinson Athletic Scholarship | $1,250 | Black student-athletes |
| Mar 22 | 100 Black Men of Prince George’s County Scholarship | $2,000 | PG County, MD (STEM majors) |
| Mar 27 | CBC Spouses Essay Contest | $2,000 | Black junior & senior HS students |
| Mar 27 | CBC Spouses Performing Arts Scholarship | $5,000 | Performing arts majors |
| Mar 27 | Dawna J. Colbert & John Fitzpatrick Scholarship | $10,000 | Black women in tech |
| Mar 27 | CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship | $5,000 | Visual arts majors |
| Mar 27 | CBC Spouses Education Scholarship | $20,000 | Constituents of CBC members |
| Mar 30 | Cornerstone Scholarship Charitable Trust | Varies | African American students in Arkansas |
| Mar 31 | Ivy & Pearls Scholarship | $3,000 | Bay Area HS seniors |
HBCU Scholarships for 2026
If you’re planning to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in 2026, this curated list from Fastweb highlights key HBCU scholarships, grants, and financial aid opportunities with upcoming deadlines and award amounts.
For details on any specific award, head over to the official Fastweb listing. Amounts, eligibility requirements, and deadlines can change yearly, so always verify each program’s official website before applying.
| Deadline | Scholarship | Award | Eligibility |
| Jan 20 | Wade Scholarship Program | Full Tuition | African American graduate students in STEM engineering |
| Jan 28 | The Future Is Yours Scholarship | Varies | Sacramento-area HS students attending an HBCU |
| Jan 31 | FOSSI Scholarship | $10,000 | HBCU-bound seniors pursuing chemical sciences |
| Feb 6 | HBCU Battle of the Brains | $5,000 | HBCU business & STEM student teams |
| Mar 8 | USDA 1890 National Scholars Program | Full Tuition | Agriculture majors at 1890 land-grant HBCUs |
| Mar 31 | UNCF General Scholarship | Varies | Students at UNCF member HBCUs |
| Mar 31 | Hoffman Agency HBCU Scholarship | Full Tuition | CA community college transfers to HBCUs |
| Mar 31 | ETS Presidential Scholarship for HBCU Students | $15,000 | Junior & senior HBCU students |
| Jul 15 | Evolve502 Scholarship | Varies | Kentucky residents enrolling in college |
| Jul 31 | Annie Ibok Scholarship | $1,000 | Incoming HBCU freshmen (WA or CA) |
| Sept 30 | AOTF District of Columbia Scholarship | Varies | OT students at Howard or Trinity Washington |
| Varies | Morgan Stanley HBCU Scholars Program | Full Tuition | By school nomination (Howard, Morehouse, Spelman) |
| Rolling | San Diego HBCU Scholarship | Varies | San Diego County seniors |
| Rolling | Descendants Truth & Reconciliation Scholarship | $10,000 | HBCU undergrad & grad students |
| Rolling | Marki Lemons Ryhal Education Advancement Scholarship | $500 | African American women (Chicagoland) |
| Rolling | HBCU Pathways Program Internship | Paid | Juniors & seniors |
Simple, Low-Stress Scholarship Strategies (That Actually Work)
- Apply across sizes. Smaller awards ($500–$3,000) often have fewer applicants and can cover books, lab fees, or housing deposits; they stack with bigger awards. (Use curated lists to spot these quickly.)
- Recycle your best lines. Many prompts ask about leadership, goals, or community impact—reuse, then tailor.
- Schedule “application blocks.” Two 30-minute sessions per week beat a last-minute scramble.
- Lean on official descriptions. For specialized scholarships, reference the program’s exact language and verify eligibility on the official website before submitting your application.
Beyond Scholarships: Free, Trusted Resources
- Federal Student Aid (Official FAFSA Hub) – Start, edit, or review your FAFSA; see deadlines; and use the estimator for potential aid.
- Alumni & community groups—Regional HBCU alumni alliances often post new scholarships and mentoring opportunities; check out the National HBCU Alumni Alliance portal for updates and links out to local chapters.
- Avoiding Student Aid Scams—A plain language overview with scam avoidance tips.
Reminder
If an award looks too good to be true or asks for a fee to apply, walk away and confirm through official channels (e.g., the school’s financial aid office or the sponsoring organization’s .gov/.edu site).
You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone
Paying for college is stressful—but you’ve got options. From full tuition pathways to targeted HBCU funds and national awards for Black students, there are real ways to reduce costs.
If you’re feeling stuck or want a plan that fits your budget, GreenPath’s caring financial counselorsGreenPath’s caring financial counselors can help you build a realistic spending plan, prepare for loan repayment, and feel more confident about next steps—free and judgment free. (We meet you where you are and keep it simple.)
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Resources for Students and Graduates
If you’re starting college or is now repaying your student loans, take a look at these resources from GreenPath. These resources can help you plan for a financially healthy future.
