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Since its inception, the UNCF has provided assistance to more than 500,000 students in their pursuit of higher education. When it comes to private scholarship funding for people of color, UNCF is the biggest organization in the U.S.
More than one hundred million dollars in scholarships are given out year to students at over one thousand colleges and universities, including their esteemed group of 37 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Here are the best UNCF STEM scholarships for the nation’s brightest students.
1. Action for Inclusivity Scholarship Program
Amount of Award: Up to $5,000
Closing Date: September 8
For Black and African American juniors and seniors attending full-time at two- and four-year schools that have been fully recognized by the Higher Learning Commission, the Action for Inclusivity Scholarship Program was established to grant need-based scholarships.
Students must submit a recent transcript and a 500-word essay answering the question, “How will your experiences contribute to inclusion in the work environment?” through the program’s online application portal.
2. Anheuser-Busch Foundation Scholarship
Amount of Award: Up to $2,500
Closing Date: August 24
Senior students at UNCF member universities majoring in business, supply chain logistics, mechanical, electrical, chemical, or industrial engineering are eligible to apply for need-based scholarships under the Anheuser-Busch Foundation Scholarship Program.
Complete the online application form, including a recent transcript and a 300-word essay on your personal statement of professional interest, to be considered.
3. Crown Castle Opportunity Scholarship Program
Amount of Award: Up to $10,000
Closing Date: September 6
Junior-year college students of African descent who demonstrate courage, honesty, and a willingness to work hard while facing difficulties will be eligible for need-based scholarships via the Crown Castle Opportunity Scholarship Program.
Include your most recent transcript, a one-page essay, and a recommendation letter from a teacher or administration with your application.
4. Dallas Mavericks Scholarship Program
Amount of Award: $4,400
Closing Date: August 31
Scholarships based on academic achievement are being offered by the Dallas Mavericks to high school seniors living in the Dallas metropolitan area and accepted to or preparing to attend an HBCU. Please provide the following materials with your application:
- An online application
- A one-page personal statement of career interest
- One letter of recommendation
- A current academic transcript
5. Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship
Amount of Award: $10,000
Closing Date: September 26
Tony Signore created the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship Fund to honor the 200th anniversary of Douglass’s birth.
The Signore Family created and funds the initiative to remember one of the most pivotal leaders in African American history by awarding scholarships to deserving students at HBCUs.
Applications must be submitted online and include all of the following:
- Two letters of recommendation from faculty members on how the applicant reflects the values espoused by Frederick Douglass
- Responses to two essay questions as instructed
6. Frito-Lay UNCF Scholarship Program
Amount of Award: $5,000
Closing Date: September 29
The Frito-Lay UNCF Scholarship will provide 100 need-based UNCF STEM scholarships to Black and Hispanic students from 10 key Frito-Lay markets, including:
- Atlanta
- Chicago
- Dallas
- Detroit
- Houston
- Los Angeles
- Orlando
- Phoenix
- San Francisco
- The District of Columbia
Students shall submit an online application for the program alongside a two-page essay and most recent academic transcript.
7. Galactic Unite Black Leaders in Aerospace Scholarship & Training (BLAST) Program
Amount of Award: Up to $5,000
Closing Date: August 22
Galactic Unite, Virgin Galactic’s community outreach program, oversees BLAST, which awards substantial UNCF STEM scholarships to Black/African American undergraduates in their second, third, or fourth year who are going to any colleges with aerospace engineering majors in the U.S. that meets specific accreditation requirements.
To be considered for the entire amount of the prize, please include the following in your application:
- Most recent academic transcript
- Essay
- Updated resume
- A letter of recommendation
8. Gray Foundation Degree Completion Aid Program
Amount of Award: Up to $5,000
Closing Date: October 17
As a proud partner of UNCF, the Gray Foundation provides “last-mile” scholarships to low-income students from New York City who are in their last year at a HBCU and are at danger of dropping out due to financial difficulties.
The “last-mile” scholarship program requires applicants to submit an online application, a personal essay explaining why they need the money, and an official transcript.
9. Larry Ted May Scholarship
Amount of Award: Up to $4,840
Closing Date: September 15
This year, a minority junior is going to get financial aid thanks to the Larry Ted May Scholarship. Students that are majoring in music at an HBCU will be given priority.
The most up-to-date transcript is necessary for review. Unofficial transcripts will acceptable, as long as they include the student’s name and cumulative GPA.
10. LeBlanc/Baker Scholarship for Change
Amount of Award: Up to $4,000
Closing Date: September 14
Recipients of the LeBlanc/Baker Scholarship for Change are prospective male college students of African descent who have been accepted to and intend to attend a four-year HBCU.
Students enrolled in DCPS will be given priority. As part of the online application process, interested applicants must provide the following documents:
- A one-page essay discussing an obstacle they have faced in life and why they believe obtaining a college degree is important
- An official or unofficial current academic transcript
11. MetLife Foundation Scholarship Fund
Amount of Award: $7,333
Closing Date: September 8
The MetLife Foundation Scholarship Fund was created in collaboration with UNCF to provide need-based scholarships to deserving African American students attending four-year HBCUs. Applications must contain the following items and be submitted online to be considered:
- A current transcript
- One letter of recommendation from a professor or community leader
- Response to an essay question regarding career interests
12. Mrs. Joann Bashinsky Scholarship
Amount of Award: Up to $27,500
Closing Date: September 7
Two incoming freshmen to Morehouse College will receive four-year, need-based scholarships from Landon E. Ash. All applicants must submit an online application, a recent academic transcript, and a one-page personal statement detailing how they will use the scholarship money to further their education.
13. Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation Scholarship
Amount of Award: Up to $3,666.66
Closing Date: August 30
The Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation Scholarship is a program of the UNCF that provides financial aid to deserving Black college students in the U.S.
Students of African descent or African American ancestry who are dedicated to making a positive impact on the world around them and who are eager to learn more about the principles of the Honor Code are encouraged to apply to the Black Student Leadership Program.
14. Richard F. Freeman Scholarship Fund
Amount of Award: $4,500
Closing Date: August 25
Students from Southeast Michigan who demonstrate academic excellence and financial need will be considered for awards from the Richard F. Freeman Scholarship Fund. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale in order to be eligible for the prize.
15. Synovus Bank/Calvin Smyre Endowed Scholarship
Amount of Award: $4,500
Closing Date: September 27
Columbus, Georgia native and State Representative for Columbus-Muscogee County in the Georgia House of Representatives Calvin Smyre is being recognized via the establishment of a scholarship fund in his name at Synovus Bank.
Need-based scholarships will be awarded to second-year college students of African descent who are majoring in a discipline relevant to the banking and financial services industries. Mr. Smyre, as Chair of the FVSU Foundation, has established an annual prize to be given to a student at Fort Valley State University.
16. Teague Design Scholarship
Amount of Award: Varies
Closing Date: October 3
As part of its cooperation with UNCF, Teague will provide four need-based UNCF STEM scholarships to rising college juniors and seniors who are passionate about design and are eager to learn more about the field.
Applicants must be of a non-white racial or ethnic background, or be of a racial or ethnic background other than white. They must also be juniors or seniors in a U.S. college or university that offers a four-year degree program, and they must be enrolled full-time.
17. UNCF Black Educators Scholarship
Amount of Award: Up to $2,500
Closing Date: September 29
Those in need of financial aid may apply to the UNCF Black Educators Scholarship Program, which offers renewable awards based on merit. Third-year undergraduate students majoring in education at a UNCF member institution or other four-year accredited HBCU are eligible for this award.
Juniors studying education at a UNCF member institution or other recognized four-year HBCU are encouraged to apply.
18. UNCF DeVry University Gateway Scholarship Program
Amount of Award: Between $5,000 – $10,000
Closing Date: October 18
Students at DeVry University may get financial support via the UNCF DeVry Gateway Scholarship Program, which is designed to open doors to higher education and prepare students for rewarding careers in business and technology.
Students of African descent who want to study in one of DeVry’s 22 recognized certificate programs are encouraged to apply. They also must not have attended any DeVry classes in the prior year.
19. Wells Fargo San Fransisco Bay Area Scholars
Amount of Award: $4,400
Closing Date: September 14
African American undergraduate and graduate students who are permanent residents of one of the nine counties that make up the San Francisco Bay Area and attend an HBCU are eligible for merit-based UNCF STEM scholarships via the Wells Fargo San Francisco Bay Area Scholars Program.
