As of 2021, private and federal student loan debt in the United States has reached a collectively total of $1.6 trillion, and continues to grow. While the federal government has taken steps to alleviate some of the burden of student loans on borrowers, scholarships and alternative financial services for Black students, now more than ever, is a necessity to keep Black scholars from accumulating insurmountable amounts of debt just to obtain a higher education.

Black graduates across all institutions of higher learning are the highest percentage of borrowers to finance higher education. According to the Education Data Initiative, an independent research organization that synthesis’s data and statistics about the U.S. education system from government sources, “Black and African American bachelor’s degree holders have an average $52,000 in student loan debt” and “…owe an average of $25,000 more in student loan debt than White college graduates.“

While student loans and the accumulation of debt still remains a major hurdle to higher learning, the organizations highlighted in this article all demonstrate a track record of serving the financial, educational, and personal development needs of Black students pursuing higher education.

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is “the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization”. Through their philanthropic work, UNCF has funded scholarships for 60,000+ Black students and offers general scholarship funds for 37 private historically Black colleges and universities.

UNCF offers student programs ranging from entrepreneurship and STEM, to leadership development and college readiness programs. You can learn more about the various student programs here: https://uncf.org/gallery/uncf-student-programs.

In addition to UNCF’s programs and HBCU support, the UNCF also manages a databank of scholarships, internships, and fellowships targeted towards Black scholars. You can search through UNCF’s scholarship database here: https://scholarships.uncf.org/.

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is a great resource to search for scholarships, internships, mentorships, professional development programs, and career resources geared toward Black students. The TMCF offers three types of scholarships: Gap completion, programmatic, or access scholarships. The scholarships in the TMCF are designed to cover the tuition, fees, on-campus room and board, or be used to close the financial gap for Black students that have an urgent financial need.

If you want to submit an application for a scholarship, you must have all of the following components:

• Online application
• Essay (minimum of 500 words)
• Student aid report (FAFSA)
• Most recent transcript (unofficial accepted)
• Recommendation letter (official signature required)
• Resume

In addition to the scholarship, internship, and internship opportunities offered by TMCF, the TMCF recently announced plans to create a National Black Talent Bank. This program aims to “serve as a repository of uniquely talented Black students positioning them toward a dual path to lucrative careers and college completion.”

The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) program is a grant funded program that is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation with the goal of:

• Providing support for the cost of education by covering unmet needs and self-help aid
• Offering renewable awards for Gates Millennium Scholars maintaining satisfactory academic progress
• Supporting graduate school funding for continuing Gates Millennium Scholars in the areas of computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health, or science
• Promoting leadership development programs with distinctive personal, academic, and professional growth opportunities

The scholarships in this program are made available to incoming freshmen students who have completed the application process and were selected as a Gates scholar prior to entering college.

The factors used in the selection process include:

• A student application
• Nominator form and Recommender form
• Evaluated on academic achievement, community service, and leadership potential

If you are awarded a scholarship from this program, it can be used at any U.S. accredited college or university, for any undergraduate major, and can also be used to study aboard. You can access the GMS application here: https://scholarships.uncf.org/.

To be eligible for the JRF scholarship, the applicant must:

• Be a graduating, minority high school senior
• Be a United States citizen
• Present evidence of financial need
• Demonstrate a record of academic excellence
• Demonstrate leadership potential and a dedication to community service
• Submit an official SAT and/or ACT test exam score from junior or senior year
• Plan to attend an accredited and approved 4-year college within the United States or affiliated with a United States-based college or university
• Not possess a degree from, or be enrolled in, a 2 or 4–year college when applying

If you are eligible for the scholarship, the components of the application are:

• One letter of recommendation
• Demographic information
• Unofficial high school transcript
• Statement on your college plans
• Test scores (AP, IB, PSAT, ACT, or SAT)
• Activities and distinctions
• Household information
• Four essays

The application process begins in September and ends in January. You can begin the application process here: https://jackierobinson.org/apply/.

The Ron Brown Scholarship Program (Signature Scholarship Program)

Each year over 5,000 African American high school students compete for the prestigious Ron Brown Scholarship worth $40,000 over four years. The scholarship is awarded to Black students based on criteria such as: academic achievements, leadership experience, writing skills, commitment to service, and your financial need.

Learn more here: https://ronbrown.org/apply/ron-brown-scholarship/

Ron Brown-Norman and Ruth Rales Leaders Network (Career Development Program)

If you are not selected for a Ron Brown scholarship program, No worries — the Ron Brown-Norman and Ruth Rales Leaders Network selects the remaining top 2–3% of top applicants (around 150 applicants) to join their invitation-only network where you’ll receive personal and professional development services alongside the Scholarship recipients.

Within the program, “corporate partners provide a trusted source of job and internship opportunities for the students facilitated through networking and recruiting activities”. Students in this program will stay connected with corporate partners through an invitation-only LinkedIn Group, monthly webinars, regional events, and an annual conference.

Learn more here: https://ronbrown.org/ron-brown-leaders-network/

Guided Pathway Support Program (College Access Initiative)

The Guided Pathway Support Program offers FREE guidance for students and parents in selecting, applying to, and paying for college. This program consists of 1-on-1 mentoring, private Facebook groups with access to region specific resources, and local gatherings for personalized support. Learn more here: http://rbsgps.com/

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