Financial Aid for Minority Students

• Amount: Up to $3,000
• Deadline: May 15

The Hubertus W.V. Willems Scholarship for Male Students supports men enrolled in engineering, chemistry, physics, or mathematical sciences programs. Applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled at accredited institutions in the United States. Graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students must be full-time learners with a minimum 2.5 GPA, while graduate student applicants may be enrolled full time or part time. Graduate students need a minimum 3.0 GPA for consideration.

While not required, membership to the NAACP is preferred. Applicants must demonstrate financial need based on federal poverty guidelines. Approximately 20-40 scholarships are awarded each year, with a maximum amount of $3,000. The application window extends from mid-March to mid-May.

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• Amount: $3,100 per semester
• Deadline: June 16

As a joint venture by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and the Walmart Foundation, the First Generation Scholars Mentorship program provides financial support to outstanding students enrolled in one of the 47 member schools within the TMCF network. Applicants apply to serve as mentors to first-generation scholars, assisting them as they adjust to life on a college campus.

Eligible students must have a minimum 3.25 GPA, U.S. citizenship, and full-time enrollment status.

To apply, students submit a resume; college transcript; and one letter of recommendation from a current instructor, faculty member, or TMCF campus coordinator. Additional application materials include answers to application questions about goals, learning experiences, and obstacles faced during collegiate study.

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• Amount: $2,000
• Deadline: May 15

Candidates must have current NAACP membership. Applicants must also hold a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate financial need based on federal poverty guidelines. This scholarship is reserved for U.S. citizens under the age of 25 attending school full time.

To apply, students submit official transcripts, financial information, a one-page essay, evidence of full-time enrollment, and three letters of recommendation.

Additional Information: Members of the NAACP board of directors, Special Contribution Fund, NAACP Scholarship Selection Committee, National Youth Work, and their families may not apply for this award.

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• Amount: $varies
• Deadline: March 15

Qualifying applicants need full-time enrollment at an accredited U.S. master’s program in business, real estate, or finance. The award is open to U.S. residents and minorities as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor, which includes African Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, Hispanics, Latinos/as, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and South Asian Americans. Second-year fellows may apply for additional awards of up to $10,000.

After submitting an application, candidates must complete an interview. Scholarship recipients receive career training along with financial aid.

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• Amount: $1,000-$5,000
• Deadline: December 31

NABA awards three types of scholarships to qualifying African American students: the NABA National Scholarship, Corporate Partner Scholarship, and NABA Member Scholarship. Applicants must be active student members of the NABA, enroll full-time as graduate students or be accepted into an MBA program, and hold a minimum 3.3 GPA.

Candidates must submit a current resume, a letter of recommendation, a personal biography of 75 words or less, a professional headshot, a 500-word essay, and transcripts.

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• Amount: up to $5,000
• Deadline: March 1

The AICPA Scholarship Award for Minority Accounting Students supports undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in accounting or an accounting-related field who intend to enter the accounting profession. Recipients can use scholarship funds for educational expenses including tuition, fees, housing, and textbooks.

Ethnic minorities enrolled full time in a program accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business may apply. For consideration, applicants must demonstrate financial need, hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residential status, and must maintain a cumulative and major GPA of at least 3.0.

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• Amount: $500-$5,000
• Deadline: Feb 15

The HSF is a merit-based scholarship open to Hispanic students pursuing any major. Eligible graduate students must hold a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, plan to enroll full time at an accredited graduate school, and complete the FAFSA or state financial aid application (if applicable).

U.S. citizens, permanent legal residents, DACA status holders, and eligible noncitizens — as defined by the FAFSA — may apply for this scholarship.

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• Amount: $2,000-$5,000
• Deadline: May 27

The Prospanica Foundation’s Scholarships go to undergraduate and graduate students who want to make meaningful contributions to society. The awards are granted to Prospanica members who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.

Eligible students must hold a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, or a minimum 2.75 GPA with two years of full-time work experience. Applicants must also plan to enroll in a master’s program at an accredited business school in the United States.

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• Amount: Varies
• Deadline:April 30

This scholarship is granted to graduate students studying science, technology, engineering, or mathematics in the United States. The amount awarded depends on academic standing and financial need. Applicants must hold a minimum 2.75 GPA, enroll full time in a program, and demonstrate current SHPE membership.

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• Amount: $35,000 and summer associate salary
• Deadline:March 28

Established in 1997, the Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship awards outstanding, first-year MBA students with funding and summer employment. This opportunity remains open to Black, Hispanic, Latino/a, Native-American, and female MBA students pursuing a summer associate position at Goldman Sachs.

Recipients receive a $35,000 award in addition to the summer associate salary. Summer positions are available in select cities throughout the country.

Additional Information: A fellow may receive an additional $40,000 and full-time associate signing bonus upon successful completion of the summer internship and acceptance of a full-time offer.

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• Amount: $1,000-$5,000 per academic year
• Deadline: June 1

To qualify, applicants need full-time enrollment in a graduate or professional program at an accredited U.S. institution, and they must demonstrate financial need. Candidates must also be a member of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or Alaska Native group, or they must provide documentation of American Indian ancestry.

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• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: May 31

The American Indian College Fund Full Circle Scholarship provides funds to American Indian and Alaska Native students enrolled at any eligible institution. Partnerships with corporate and private donors provide funding for the awards.

The scholarship is open to U.S. citizens and eligible Canadians enrolled full time in an accredited undergraduate or graduate program. Applicants must be registered members of a recognized tribe or descendants of at least one grandparent or parent who is a tribal member. Qualifying students also need a minimum 2.0 GPA.

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• Amount: up to $5,000
• Deadline: March 1

Sponsored by the AICPA, this scholarship provides financial aid to minority students who display outstanding academic achievement. The award is open to any ethnic minority student studying accounting or an accounting-related major, including business.

Candidates must plan to pursue a CPA credential. Before applying, students must complete at least 30 semester hours of college coursework, maintain an overall minimum 3.0 GPA, and show evidence of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Applicants must also hold AICPA student affiliate membership, participate in the AICPA Legacy Scholars program, and demonstrate financial need.

Additional Information: AICPA staff and family members are ineligible to receive this scholarship.

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• Amount: $4,000
• Deadline: Jan. 31

This scholarship was developed to help Native American students of any age, tribe, and state pay for higher education. While graduate students may apply, DAR gives preference to undergraduate applicants.

Eligible students must hold a minimum 3.25 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and provide evidence of American Indian ancestry by letter or proof papers. The scholarship application is available on the DAR website.

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• Amount: $1,500
• Deadline: May 31

Eligible applicants must demonstrate at least 25% Asian or Pacific-Islander ethnicity and provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency. Candidates also need enrollment in an accredited U.S. graduate program, a minimum 3.5 GPA, and evidence of strong leadership skills.

Students of all majors may apply. Applicants must submit a video presentation showcasing work and qualifications.

Additional Information: Family members of Against the Grain Productions board members may not apply for this scholarship.

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• Amount: $3,750
• Deadline: Feb. 28

Available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and DACA recipients, the TLF scholarship provides funding to full-time minority students. Applicants must be studying advertising, marketing, or public relations at an accredited institution and within two semesters of graduation.

Candidates must submit a resume, unofficial transcripts, a reference letter, headshot, and an essay. Finalists must provide official transcripts.

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• Amount: $5,000-$20,000
• Deadline:Jan. 14

This scholarship recognizes outstanding minority students preparing for careers in state and local government finance. The one-time award is presented to American and Canadian students studying public administration, finance, business, and related majors.

Applicants must be recommended by an academic advisor, dean of their graduate program, or department chair. Along with a letter of recommendation, applicants must provide a resume, transcripts, a graduate plan of study, and a statement of purpose.

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• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Jan. 17

The CAPAL offers two different scholarship internships for graduate students: the Public Service Internship Program and the Public Service Field Internship Program. Both awards are granted to outstanding students who demonstrate leadership potential within Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander communities. The Public Service Internship Program places graduate students in an internship in the Washington, D.C., area. The Public Service Field Internship Program assigns candidates to public sector positions throughout the United States.

Eligible applicants need U.S. citizenship and current enrollment in a graduate program. Candidates must demonstrate a 3.0 GPA or higher and submit transcripts, a resume, a letter of recommendation, and a personal statement.

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• Amount:$500 to $7,500
• Deadline:February

Sponsored by the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Foundation, this scholarship provides lodging management students with educational funding. Eligible candidates need U.S. citizenship and enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate hospitality management program with a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Students of Asian Indian descent, members of other minority groups, and Auro Hotels employees receive preference.

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• Amount: up to $50,000 for tuition and fees
• Deadline: Oct. 28

The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans supports up to two years of graduate study in any field at any advanced degree-granting program in the United States. Fellows receive an initial award of $25,000 in stipend support, as well as 50% of tuition and fees (up to $20,000 per year) for one to two years.

Intended for U.S. immigrants and children of immigrants, this program accepts applications from U.S. citizens, green card holders, naturalized citizens, DACA recipients, and those who graduated from high school or college in the United States. Students with previous DACA status and learners awaiting a DACA decision may also apply, along with refugees and individuals granted asylum. Candidates must be under the age of 31 and full-time graduate students at a U.S. institution.

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• Amount: $15,000 per year
• Deadline: April 1

This need-based award supports students active in social and economic justice movements. U.S. citizenship is not required. Recent scholarship recipients have been involved in combating racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression.

Applicants must provide previous or current transcripts, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and financial information. Candidates must be U.S. residents planning to enroll at an accredited school.

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• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: April

Created to encourage underrepresented minorities to study in the semiconductor industry, this scholarship provides funding for students who display outstanding academic achievement. Eligible candidates may be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, refugees, or political asylum seekers in the United States.

Applicants must submit official transcripts; a personal information form; official GRE results; and three references from scientists, engineers, or faculty members.

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Scholarships are a type of financial aid sponsored by schools, companies, governments, and other organizations. Because scholarships do not require repayment, they are an ideal source of funding.

Some scholarships are offered exclusively to members of certain groups, such as minorities. Others are awarded based on background, work, or military experience. You can learn more about scholarships on the Federal Student Aid Office website.

Grants provide funding for tuition, fees, and other expenses. While grants do not require repayment, most are awarded on the basis of financial need and are usually sponsored by governments, schools, and organizations.

Grants for minorities usually fall into one of two categories: ethnic and non-ethnic. Ethnic grants apply to individuals who identify as a specific ethnicity or race. Non-ethnic grants apply to groups that are not racial or ethnic minorities, such as women. You may find additional information about grants at the Federal Student Aid Office website.

Federal work study programs allow students to earn money while pursuing a degree. Full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students with demonstrable financial need may apply.

When possible, students take jobs related to their major. Participants may work on campus for their institution or at a relevant off-campus organization. Your school’s financial aid office can provide more information about the application process.

Issued by the federal government, federal student loans allow students and parents to borrow money for educational expenses. Unlike private loans, federal loans offer payment postponement options, income-based repayment, and low fixed-interest rates. Federal loans usually do not require a credit check.

Federal student loans may be subsidized or unsubsidized. The U.S. Department of Education pays interest on a subsidized loan while the borrower attends school, up to six months after graduation, and throughout any deferment periods. Borrowers must pay the interest on unsubsidized loans during any time period. Graduate students may only apply for unsubsidized loans.

Private lenders, such as banks or credit unions, offer private loans. Unlike federal loans, private lenders set the terms and conditions of loans, and borrowers must usually undergo a credit check.

Private loan recipients must pay interest while they attend school, and interest rates may increase during the repayment period. Private loans may also require a cosigner, and some do not offer forbearance or deferment options. Prospective borrowers may explore loan terms by visiting the lender directly or through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau website.