Table of Contents
Nowadays, there are so many scholarships provided for only African American Women in US. In fact, the scholarships awarded will have a specific goal, yet all this aims at giving more chances for black community to pursue their education in a higher degree, encouraging other communities to do the same. Like other scholarships, scholarship for black women or African American women are provided by various foundations which deal with civil rights and advocacy, non-governmental organisations, colleges or universities, federal state governments in US etc.
Well, if we delve into historical trajectory of black people community in US, we will understand that the black community has faced numerous challenges largely including slavery and the civil rights movement issues. During those years, they did not own anything but disadvantages and unluckiness in life, particularly in educational rights. Indeed, due to lack of access to education and deteriorating poverty, the community has been lagged behind other communities in US. In short words, they felt deprived and marginalized in the term of education, discouraging them to pursue education in a higher degree in colleges or universities.
In addition, ostensibly women of the black community were facing such disadvantages more than the men were. They received more discrimination in many areas. We vividly remember, women in general were not allowed to vote in numerous general elections, had very rare opportunity in political participation, etc. But for the time being, we shall be proud deeply that black women in US are able to enjoy education in higher degrees with no discrimination. They start enjoying equality in rights for education and self-development. In fact, many of them are so persuaded by various scholarships. In 2010 alone based on one study, 66% of black community to obtain bachelor degrees are women. The study also demonstrated that there are 71% of black community to obtain master degree are women.
Here is the list of scholarships for African American Women
1. Arnita Young Boswell Scholarship
When talking about scholarships for African American Women living in US, the Dr.Arnita Young Boswell Scholarship could be considered one of the most prestigious scholarships offered until now. Dr. Boswell herself was the founder of the National Hook-Up of Black Women who worked for the progress of the education for black women. The $500-$1000 scholarship is provided annually to female African-American junior or senior students who are enrolled in an accredited college or university in US. Not only that, in order to be eligible, applicants shall demonstrate their excellence in academic issues including writing essay. They are also required to prove three letters of recommendation from individuals who know their characters deeply.
Each year, the deadline will be in February month. Therefore, for those interested in applying the scholarship, can check the official scholarship’s website at www.nhbwinc.com, or contact the Scholarship Committee in National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc. 1809 East 71st Street, Suite 205, Chicago, IL 60649 or Phone : (777) 667-7061.
2. Wynetta A.Frazier ‘’Sister to Sister’’ Scholarship
The type of this scholarship sounds very unique as it is awarded to a female African American women who is a single mother at the same time. unsurprisingly, applicants to be eligible must be at least 30 years old and get no financial assistance for their families amid strong eagerness to pursue education in a higher degree. In fact, the provider, Dr Wynetta A. Frazier had worked with single mothers and their children from black community as an Assistant Director of Early Childhood Research and Intervention at the University of Illinois.
Despite little amount of the scholarship (only $ 500), the scholarship puts several requirements like other scholarships do, including ability to provide a letter of acceptance and write a short essay. Candidates must also provide transcripts that show a re-acceptance into a college program.
The deadline of the application is February month each year. For those who are eager to apply the scholarship, can contact NHBW Scholarship Committee, 3412 Blue Jay Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32305, or they can visit the official website of The National Hook-up of Black Women at www.nhbwinc.com.
3. Hallie Q. Brown Scholarship for Women
Another scholarship can be taken into consideration by female black students is Hallie Q. Brown awarded by the National Association of Coloured Women’s Clubs (NACWC). As a matter of fact the Association has a goal to give more opportunities to all African-American women living in US to reach their dreams by being enrolled in a higher degree at universities or colleges.
Awarded once in two year with unspecific amount, the scholarship also puts numerous requirements to its candidates, including having been graduated from high senior schools with a minimum C average. They also must prove their financial needs. Once it is open, the scholarship’s deadline would be in March. Therefore, applicants are recommended to find more detail information at www.nacwc.org.
4. National Society of Black Engineers
Founded in 1975, National Society of Black Engineers, a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community, has regularly awarded many scholarships to black female students who look interested in the field of science and engineering. Interestingly, not only one type, the Association offers several scholarships along with detail information and different requirements in its website. For the time being, six scholarships awarded are NSBE Jr. Bridge Scholarship 2019, Chevron/NSBE Corporate Scholarship 2019, UBER Advanced Technologies Group Scholarship 2019, Charlotte Clarke Hill Scholarship of Perseverance, GRE Registration Reimbursement Scholarship 2019, and AP/ACT/SAT Reimbursement Award.
Therefore, any candidates demonstrating their interest in applying the aforementioned scholarships, can visit www.connect.nsbe.org.
5. Bellevue Alumnae Chapter Delta Stigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Scholarship
The scholarship is awarded preferably to female students of African descent who reside in Bellevue and East Side communities. Applicants shall have graduated from high senior schools. In addition, in order to maintain receiving the scholarship, recipients must have a 2.75 minimum GPA as the $2,500 scholarship would be awarded periodically. It is also worthwhile mentioning that recipients must spend at least 20 hours each year in serving their community.
For those interested in applying the scholarship and finding other important related information, can visit www.bellevualumnae.org.
6. The Essence Scholars Program
Claimed as the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization, the United Negro College Fund or UNCF regularly awards a scholarship to African American, female junior students or sophomores enrolled in an accredited college or university. Overall, the organization awards over $ 100,000 to around 10,000 students every year.
In order to be eligible, applicant must be enrolled in a college or university that is covered by the UNCF, or they are enrolled either in Hampton University or Howard University.
Apart of necessity to demonstrating their financial needs, applicants must also have a 3.0 minimum GPA to be eligible. Perhaps if compared with other like-scholarships, it offers the highest amount, around $10,000 for each female student. In addition to the mentioned requirements, applicants must have strong enthusiasm to excel in academic issues and good understanding about contemporary African-American culture.
If you seem interested to apply, the application is still open until 15 October. You can also contact by phone at 1-800-331-2244, or simply visit the official organization’s website at www. uncf.org.
7. The Dr. Julianne Malveaux Scholarship for African-American Women
For junior or sophomore African-American women students in US who are interested in taking journalism and economy as fields of studey, The Dr. Julianne Malveaux Scholarship would be the best option. The amount is $ 1,000 and awarded annually.
Like other general scholarships, the scholarship require applicants to have at least 3.0 GPA and write a brief essay on their career plans and their relation to Dr. Julianne Malveaux. As you have heard before, Dr. Julianne Malveaux is the President of Bennett College for Women and an influential writer in US.
If you feel interested in applying it, then you must know that the deadline will be March 1 each year. for more detail information, you can visit the official website of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs www.nanbpwc.org, or contact : NANBPWC, Inc 1806 New Hampshire Ave, N.W. Washington, DC 20009.
8. The National Scholarship
Another educational scholarship offered by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs to American African women is the National Scholarship. It is said that the application process seems more complex that other ones, yet however it covers general requirements including having a 3.00 minimum GPA, writing a 300 word essay in a bid to answer Why is Education Important to Me? and submitting two recommendation letters.
Nevertheless, the most important thing to be considered by the scholarship Committee is the academic achievement of the applicants, meaning that applicants must demonstrate their excellence in academic issue and leadership skill.
If you are so interested to apply, you can find much information regarding the scholarship in www.nanbpwc.org, or contact the Association in 1806 New Hampshire Ave, N.W. Washington, DC 20009.
To conclude this short article, in fact, there are still many scholarships for African American women living in US out there. Therefore, if you are not accepted in one scholarship program, you can try the other ones that match field of your study and passion. The most important key factor to receive the scholarship is that you have to be consistent and try harder as you may face much competition and challenge with other potential candidates.
So have a try and good luck!
