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Scholarships
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Top minority scholarships
Find scholarships for minority students that can help you pay for college.
Here’s a scholarship you can apply for in minutes.
Minority scholarships
Hubertus W. V. Willems Scholarship
Due: 4/11/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No Transcripts Required
$3,000
The Hubertus W. V. Willems Scholarship is one of many funding opportunities available to students through NAACP's Inspire Initiatives. They offer scholarships to outstanding and qualified students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Applicants must be a member of the NAACP. They must be currently enrolled or accepted to an accredited college or university in the U.S. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior, undergraduate student, or graduate student. They must demonstrate interest in pursuing a career in the field(s) of engineering, chemistry, physics, and/or mathematical sciences. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship
Due: 4/11/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No Transcripts Required
$2,000
The Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship honors the late Agnes Jones Jackson who was a long-time NAACP member from the San Francisco branch. The Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship is one of many funding opportunities available to students through NAACP's Inspire Initiatives. They offer scholarships to outstanding and qualified students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Applicants must be a member of the NAACP. They must be currently enrolled or accepted to an accredited college or university in the U.S. Applicants must be a graduating high school senior, undergraduate student, or graduate student. They must demonstrate interest in pursuing a career in any field or study. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
Alfred Camp Memorial Scholarship
Due: 4/11/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
$1,000
The Alfred Camp Memorial Scholarship is open to Colorado resident students at any class level with any major considered. Preference but not limited to Spanish American descent.
3 days left!
Apply now
The Pickard Scholarship Fund
Due: 4/14/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
The Pickard Scholarship Fund was established at The Dallas Foundation in 2004 to assist African-American male students in Dallas County. Dr. Pickard was an optometrist and founder of the Pickard Eye Clinic. Called "Magnum" by his patients, he believed that if you do something nice for someone and they do something nice for someone else, you can affect the lives of many people. This scholarship fund is his way of "passing it on." Applicants must be graduating from high schools in Dallas County. Preference may be given to those who can demonstrate financial need. Personal interviews may be required. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Dallas Foundation for more information.
4 days left!
Apply now
Dolores Peterson-Wise Annual Scholarship
Due: 4/15/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
The Dolores Peterson-Wise Annual Scholarship is available to undergraduate or graduate students who are attending full or part-time pursuing a degree in Math Education. Preference is given to students from a socioeconomic disadvantaged or underrepresented county in Georgia and /or an active member of an African American organization at KSU. If a math education student can not be identified and Bagwell Education major may be considered.
4 days left!
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Hovnanian Scholarship
Due: 4/15/26
|No essay
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
|No Transcripts Required
Varies
The Hovnanian Scholarship is available to undergraduate students whose families currently reside in the United States, are US citizens or permanent residents, have exemplary high school records, and are of Armenian descent. The selection committee will review qualified enrolled students and will notify the recipients by October 1 of their freshmen year. Returning undergraduates will be considered for scholarship renewal based on academic performance and financial need. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
4 days left!
Apply now
Jacques Avent Scholarship
Due: 4/15/26
|No Recommendations Required
Varies
The NFBPA-CAC established the Jacques Avent Scholarship Fund for future Black public administrators in honor of Jacques Avent, one of the NFBPA's original founders. Through his trailblazing efforts, he was instrumental in promoting and increasing the number of African Americans in executive and middle management positions throughout the city. Applicants must pursue public administration or policy, political science, urban planning, or public affairs. Please visit the scholarship's website or ...
4 days left!
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Dee-Dee Scholarship
Due: 4/15/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
Varies
Dee Dee, as she was known by her many friends, was a legend in the Peoria School District. Those receiving scholarship assistance will honor Dee Dee by keeping kindness inside their hearts on whatever path their lives take them. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors from Peoria HS pursuing vocational studies. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Arizona Community Foundation for more information.
4 days left!
Apply now
Gerald E. Myers & Juanita T. Myers Scholarship
Due: 4/15/26
|No Recommendations Required
|No min. GPA Required
Varies
The Myers family believes that every young person, regardless of ability to pay, deserves a chance to reach his/her potential. The Gerald E. & Juanita T. Myers Scholarship goes beyond financial support as the student will be provided by members of the Myers family with a mentor for guidance, encouragement and support for his/her successes. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors. DACA students are welcome to apply. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Arizona Community Foundation for more information.
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Key takeaways about scholarships for minority students
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Minority scholarships are free money for college that never needs to be repaid.
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Awards are available for many racial, ethnic, cultural, and identity-based groups.
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You don’t need perfect grades—many scholarships look at leadership, service, or background.
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Small scholarships can stack together and make a big difference.
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You can find and apply for minority scholarships year-round with tools like Scholly Scholarships and Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships.
Paying for college can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re navigating the process without a lot of built-in financial support. Minority scholarships exist to help level the playing field by offering students access to money for school based on identity, background, or lived experience—not just test scores or GPAs. Think of scholarships as extra doors opening, not labels putting you in a box.
What are minority scholarships?
Minority scholarships are financial awards designed to support students from historically underrepresented or marginalized communities in higher education. These scholarships don’t need to be repaid, which makes them one of the smartest ways to reduce college costs.
They’re often awarded based on factors like:
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Race
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Ethnicity
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Cultural background
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Gender identity
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Combination of academic achievement and personal experience.
Many are funded by nonprofits, companies, colleges, or community organizations that want to invest directly in students who may face systemic barriers to education.
Why scholarships matter for minority students
College costs continue to rise, which impacts minority students more than other groups. Scholarships help reduce that financial burden.
Beyond money, many scholarships for minority students also provide mentorship, networking opportunities, or career support. That kind of access can be just as valuable as the financial award itself. Winning scholarships isn’t just about paying tuition—it’s about opening pathways.
How to qualify for minority scholarships
There’s no single checklist that applies to every scholarship, but most minority scholarships look at a mix of the following:
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Identity or background (such as race, ethnicity, or cultural heritage)
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Academic performance or progress toward a degree
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Community involvement or leadership
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Personal essays that share your story
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Financial need in some cases
Here’s the important part: you don’t need to have a “perfect” application. Many scholarship committees care more about effort, resilience, and future goals than straight-A transcripts.
Scholly Scholarships
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Find scholarships that are right for you
Easily search through thousands of college scholarships based on your background, major, state you live in, and more.
Hot tip! Smaller scholarships may have less competition, increasing your odds of winning.
Top scholarships for minority students
There’s no universal ranking, but some of the most popular and impactful minority scholarships include:
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National scholarships offered by large foundations and corporations
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Identity-based awards supporting Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, Indigenous, or multiracial students
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Scholarships for students pursuing high-demand fields like STEM or healthcare
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Local and state-based scholarships with smaller applicant pools
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$2,000 No Essay Scholarship - This scholarship is exactly what it sounds like—no essay required. It’s open to students of all backgrounds, education levels, and majors.
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Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships - Apply for multiple scholarships every month with one simple application.
You can also use tools like Scholly Scholarships to find opportunities that fit your background, interests, field of study, and more.
How to apply for minority scholarships
Applying for scholarships doesn’t have to be complicated. A simple approach works best:
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Start early and apply often—many scholarships run year-round.
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Use trusted tools like Scholly Scholarships to find scholarships that actually match you.
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Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to qualify for need-based scholarships and unlock other types of financial aid.
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Reuse and customize essays instead of starting each one from scratch.
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Keep track of deadlines in one place.
Pro tip: Treat scholarships like a numbers game. The more you apply, the better your chances.
Additional resources for minority students
If you’re looking to narrow your search or stack opportunities, these scholarship categories can help:
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Scholarships for high school seniors
Perfect if you're starting your college journey. Many deadlines fall during senior year, so be ready to apply. -
Scholarships by major
These scholarships are tied to what you’re studying. Whether you’re pursuing a degree in STEM, healthcare, education, business, or the arts, there are scholarships designed to support students in specific fields. -
Scholarships for college students
Already enrolled? You don’t have to stop applying once classes start. Scholarships for college students are available every year and can help cover ongoing costs like tuition, books, and fees. -
Scholarships for first-generation students
If you’re the first in your family to attend college, these scholarships are built to support students navigating higher education for the first time—at any age. -
Scholarships for women
These scholarships help support women pursuing education across all levels, including awards created to uplift women of color and those in underrepresented fields. -
LGBTQ+ scholarships
LGBTQ+ scholarships support students from diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, helping create more inclusive access to education. -
Scholarships by state
Find scholarships offered by your state government, as well as local scholarships that often have fewer applicants. Applying close to home can increase your chances of winning. -
STEM scholarships
If you’re studying science, technology, engineering, or math, STEM scholarships can help fund programs that lead to in-demand careers.
Frequently asked questions
These tips can help as you get ready to apply for minority scholarships.
When are scholarship application deadlines?
There’s no standard deadline for scholarship applications. Each scholarship has its own deadline, so be sure to keep track of dates and make sure you don’t miss any deadlines of scholarships that you want to apply to.
Do you need to know which college you’re attending?
You don’t need to know which college you’re going to attend before applying for most scholarships. However, once you’re awarded scholarships, some of them may ask for eligibility verification—which can include proof of college enrollment.
Is there a limit on how many scholarships you can apply for?
Absolutely not, so apply for as many as you can to increase your chances of winning free money. Want to find more types of scholarships? There are so many, check them out!
Pro tip: Apply for scholarships each year you’re in college.
Does every scholarship application require an essay?
Not every scholarship will ask you to submit an essay—different scholarships have different requirements. If you’re applying for a scholarship with an essay and need help writing yours, get tips for writing scholarship essays.
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Tips for writing scholarship essays
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No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. See Official Rules and Entry Periods on each scholarship page.
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