The 50 Best Scholarships For Black Entrepreneurs

Last updated: May 18, 2021

Ready to find the perfect business program?

These days some of the most successful entrepreneurs come from some surprising fields. Many didn’t even go to college. Still, a scholarship to a STEM subject or an MBA would certainly help individuals succeed. This is even more true for people of color. In order for black entrepreneurs to make it in today’s society there almost has to be a “stroke of luck” along with the hard work and perseverance that is already required to become successful. These days, however, black individuals and other people of color are starting to be recognized for their talents. Talents are one thing but the finances to pay for college are quite another. That’s where these scholarships come to play. We looked at some of the best paying minority scholarships in the country and gathered them into one place. Take a gander at some of your options. Hopefully you’ll find something that sets you on your way.

EPP Undergraduate Scholarship Program

  • 45000
  • The EPP Undergraduate Scholarship Program is a $45,000 scholarship for students who are attending a minority serving institution. To apply for this scholarship you must have completed your sophomore year and declare a major in one of the following areas: environmental atmospheric oceanic or environmental disciplines. To be eligible for this award you must be a US citizen who is currently enrolled or has been acceptd to a program full-time. Additionally, applicants should maintain a minimum GPA of 3.2. For more information on to apply check out their website.

Ron Brown Scholar Program

  • 40000
  • The Ron Brown Scholarship Program RBSP is a $40,000 selective program that awards African-Americans. Ron Brown scholars receive four $10,000 scholarships over the course of four years. RBSP awards students who are academically gifted and have exceptional leader shippotential as well as demonstrate financial need. To apply to this program you must be able to demonstrate your commitment to service in your community. For more information and to apply check out their website.

The Reverend Pinckney Scholarship

  • 40000
  • The Reverend Pickney Scholarship program seeks to promote higher education for African-American students. The Reverend Pickney Scholarship Program is a $40,000 award that includes programming throughout the \course of the recipeint’s college experience. Additionally, the foundation provides pre-scholar pre-college training and opportunities to attend workshops during their tenure as a recipient. To be eligible for this award, you must be an African-American high school senior who is a permanent resident of one of the following counties: Jasper, Charleston, Beaufort. Additionally recipients should plan to attend a two or four year college the following fall. To be eligible for this award you must have a minimum GPA of 2.5. For more information and to apply check out their website.

The Jackie Robinson Foundation

  • 30000
  • The Jackie Robinson Foundation is a scholarship that provides up to $30,000 over the course of four years to minority students attending high school. To be eligible for this award candidates must be able to show leadership potential as well as be able to demonstrate financial need in order to attend a four-year college or university. Candidates should have an SAT score of at least 1000 combined on the math and critical reading sections as well as composite ACT score of 21. For more information and to apply check out their website.

Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship

  • 20000
  • Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) aims to support the continued growth and development of minority employees at the Microsoft Corporation. To apply for this program you must be a high school senior of African descent such as an African Ethiopian or African-American planning to attend a four-year college or university. This is a $20,000 award. Additionally applicants should select should plan to pursue a bachelors degree in one of the following areas: engineering, computer science, computer information systems or a select business program such as finance, business administration or marketing. To be eligible for this award you must have a minimum GPA of 3.3 and be able to demonstrate financial need. For more information and to apply check out their website.

ASA Minority Fellowship Program

  • 18000
  • The ASA Minority Fellowship Program MFP supports people of color who are studying sociology or any sub area of sociology. This is an $18,000 fellowship. To be eligible, you must be enrolled or have completed a full academic year in a sociology program and be pursuing a doctoral degree. Apiplicants should be U.S. citizen or non-citizen nationals who have been lawfully admitted to the United States or be eligible under DACA. For more information and to apply check out their website.

NACME Scholars (Block Grant) Program

  • 16000
  • The NACME Scholars block grant program it’s a $16,000 award that is given to colleges and universities. The award money is intended to support talented African-American, American Indian and Latino students who are enrolled in engineering programming. This minority college scholarship support is in the form of a lump sum grant that may be given to first year students, transfer students from two-year colleges and currently enrolled students who have completed at least one year of engineering study. For more information and to apply check out their website.

NBCC Minority Fellowship Program for Addictions Counselors (Master’s)

  • 15000
  • The NBCC Minority Fellowship program for addictions counselors is a $15,000 award for minorities who are looking to pursue a career as an addictions counselor. In addition to the $15,000 award, recipients will receive travel money to participate in program-related trainings. To be eligible for this award you must have knowledge and experience and in substance-abuse services and be in one of the following demographics: underserved minority communities, LGBT, or a veteran or from a military family. Individuals from inner cities or rural communities are welcome to apply. Additionally, candidates must commit to providing substance abuse services to individuals in those underserved community for two years after graduation. For more information to apply check out their website.

AACP Express Scripts Scholarship

  • 10000
  • The NAACP Express Scripts Scholarship Program is a $10,000 scholarship for students. To be eligible for this award you must be enrolled in a dual degree program related to pharmacy. Awards are given in a $10,000 scholarship amount to individuals with low socioeconomic status as well as students who are from underrepresented minorities. For more information and to apply check out their website.

Joseph A. Towles African Study Abroad Scholarship

  • 10000
  • The Joseph A. Towels African Study Abroad Scholarship provides financial assistance for students at UNCF. The opportunity is to learn at an established university within the continent of Africa. To be eligible for this award you must be an African-American student with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be a legal resident of the United States. sophomores, juniors, or masters level students are eligible to apply. The amount of the award is $10,000. For more information than to apply to this program check out their website.

NBCC Minority Fellowship Program for Mental Health Counselors (Master’s)

  • 10000
  • The NBCC foundation offers a program for mental health counselors. The foundation is able to offer up to 30 Masters level counseling fellowships of $10,000 each year. Additionally students receive travel expenses to participate in trainings for mental health counseling students. To be eligible for this program you must be able to demonstrate knowledge and expertise in one of the following areas: underserved minority communities child/adolescents and geriatric groups and only communities in inner city and rural areas and minority persons including those who are LGBTQ or a veteran or from a military family. To be eligible for this award you must have a commitment to teach, administer services, and research as well as provide direct services in mental health. US citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply and must be in good standing at an accredited masters degree program. Preference is given to minority candidates For more information and to apply check out their website.

The Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship

  • 8000
  • Herbert Lehman Education Fund is a $8000 award to assist African-American students who need financial support in order to complete their bachelors degree. To be eligible for this award, you must be African-American as well as a graduating high school senior first year college student or transferring to an accredited four-year college or university. To be accepted you must be able to demonstrate financial need. For more information on to apply check out their website.

AMS Minority Scholarships

  • 6000
  • The AMS Minority Scholarship is worth $6000 to minority students who have been underrepresented in the sciences. Particularly, this scholarship is for Hispanic, Native American, Black/African-American students who are US Citizens or permanent residents. To be eligible you must be a minority who is entering their freshman year of college and plan to pursue a career in atmospheric or related oceanic and hydraulic sciences. For more information into apply check out their website.

Smithsonian Institution James E. Webb Internship

  • 6000
  • The Smithsonian Institute James E. Webb internship is offered to racial minority students who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in business in public administration. Degrees such as a Masters of Business Administration or an undergraduate degree in accounting or some thing similar will be eligible to apply. Additionally, applicants should be United States residence and have a 3.0 grade point average. For more information to apply check out their website.

ABA Diversity Scholarship

  • 5000
  • The ABA Diversity Scholarship offers a$5000 award for individuals who are under represented in the following fields: management, transportation, travel, and tourism. To be eligible for this award you must be attending your first year of college at an accredited university and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additionally, applicant should have declared a major in one of the following areas: transportation of crap travel and tourism. To apply to this program you must submit a 500 word essay Discussing how do you plan to advance the future of the industry. For more information and to apply check out their website.

ACHE Albert W. Dent Graduate Student Scholarship

  • 5000
  • The ACHE Albert W Dent graduate student scholarship provides financial aid to minority students who are in healthcare management graduate programs. This $5000 award is to be used to offset the cost of tuition student loans and other expenses related to education. The scholarship offered annually and is designed for minority students who are enrolled in their final year of healthcare management graduate program. For more information and to apply check out their website.

ACS Scholars Program

  • 5000
  • The ACS scholars program is a $5000 award for underrepresented minorities looking to enter in to the field of chemistry or a chemistry related field. To be eligible for this award you must be African-American, Hispanic, Pacific Islander excluding Asian or an American Indian high school senior college freshman sophomore or junior who is pursuing a degree in one of the those fields. Additionally to be eligible you must be a US citizen or permanent US resident with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be able to demonstrate financial need. If you are intending to pursue a degree in pre-medicine or pharmacy you are not eligible to apply. For more information and to apply check out their website.

American Association of Blacks in Energy Scholarship

  • 5000
  • The American Association of Blacks in Energy Scholarship is a professional association for African-Americans in the energy industry. If you are African-American, Hispanic, Native American or an underrepresented minority in any field you may be eligible for this $5000 award. To qualify, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be intending to attend an accredited college or university planning to major in business or one of the physical sciences. For more information to apply check out their website.

American Library Association Spectrum Scholarship

  • 5000
  • The American Library Association Spectrum Scholarship as a $5000 award for residence of the United States or Canada. To be eligible for this award you must be American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian, Black/African-American, Latino/Hispanic, Middle Eastern/North African, and or Native Hawaiian or another Pacific Islander and you must be attending an ALA accredited graduate program. Students pursuing a degree in library sciences and library media are eligible to apply. For more information about the scholarship check out their website.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

  • 5000
  • The Benjamin ,A Gilman International Scholarship Program as a grant enable students who can demonstrate financial need the opportunity to engage in a study abroad program. This program is for United States citizens who are undergraduates receiving a Federal Pell Grant. To be eligible you must be attending a two or four year college or university. The amount of the scholarship is $5000. For more information and to apply check out their website.

Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program

  • 5000
  • The Fontana Transport Inc. Scholars Program is open to low-income first-generation college bound students from underrepresented backgrounds. This is a $5000 reward for students who are pursuing a full-time undergraduate degree in a wide array of fields including premed, psychology, architecture, engineering, transportation, and Spanish language literature. To be eligible for this award you do not need to be a United States citizen but must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 as well as proof of attending college. It is important for applicants to receive recommendations from a member of faculty. For more information and to apply to check out their website.

GRCF Miller Johnson West Michigan Diversity Law School Scholarship

  • 5000
  • The GRCF Miller Johnson West Michigan Diversity Law School Scholarship is awarded to students of color who are residing in Michigan and are looking to pursue a degree in law. To be eligible you must be pursuing a degree at an accredited law school in the United States and be able to demonstrate financial need as well as be a United States citizen. Additionally, applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.0. For more information check out their website.

GRCF Warner Norcross & Judd Law School Scholarship

  • 5000
  • The GRCF Warner Norcross and Judd Law School Scholarship is awarded to students of color who are pursuing a degree in law at an accredited law school in the United States. Additionally, in order to apply applicants must be a current or former resident of the state of Michigan if they are not currently attending school in Michigan. The amount of your word is $5000. For more information about this award check out their website.

Lebanon Valley College Multicultural Fellowship

  • 5000
  • The Lebanon Valley College Multicultural Fellowship (MCS) is a $5000 award for high school seniors who closely identify with one of the following racial and ethnic groups: Asian American, African-American, Native American, Hispanic American, or multi racial. The awards range from $1000-$5000 per year for up to four years. Awards vary and are based on financial need. To qualify for this award you must complete a FAFSA form. For more information on to apply check out their website.

Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program

  • 5000
  • The Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program is a $5000 award for United States citizens or eligible non-citizens who meet the undocumented student criteria of the Rise Act. Additionally to be eligible for this award you must be a minority student of either African-American/Black descent, Hispanic American Asian American or Native American origin and be a resident of the State of Illinois. Applicants should have graduated from high school or hold a GED equivalent and have been enrolled or accepted to an Illinois institution of Higher Education. Eligible candidates will maintain a grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and must maintain satisfactory academic success throughout the course of their study. If you’re looking to become a licensed preschool elementary or secondary school teacher by the Illinois State Board of Education then you may wish to apply for the scholarship.

Tennessee Minority Teaching Fellows Program

  • 5000
  • The Tennessee Minority scholarship comes from the minority teaching fellows program. If you are a talented minority Tennessee and looking to enter the field of teaching in Tennessee then the scholarship program is for you. You must be pursuing a teacher certification at an eligible Tennessee college or university and have at least a minimum GPA of a 2.75. For more information and to apply head to their website.

Minority Scholarship in Classics and Classical Archaeology

  • 4500
  • The Committee on Minority Scholarships of the Society for Classical Studies SCS offers a $4500 minority scholarship for undergraduate students looking to participate in classical summer programming in Italy, Greece, Egypt or somewhere similar. Additionally, students may attend the language training institution in the United States, Canada or Europe. To be eligible you must be a minority student who is academically qualified and able to submit a high-quality proposal for study and be able to demonstrate financial need. For more information and to apply check out their website.

Actuarial Diversity Scholarship

  • 4000
  • The Actuarial Diversity Scholarship is a $4000 award to promote diversity within the actuarial profession. This program is for Black/African-American, Hispanic, Native North American and pacific islander students. To be eligible for this award you must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be a full-time undergraduate student of a United States accredited educational institution. You must be intending to pursue a career in the actuarial profession. For more information and to apply check out their website.

Leon Bradley Scholarship

  • 3500
  • The Leon Bradley Scholarship is for minorities who are interested in pursuing the field of teaching and school leadership. This is offered through the American Association of School Personnel Administrators and there’s a $3500 award. According to the AA PA it is important for students to have diverse role models in the classroom. The AASPA offers to scholarships to minority students who are participating in their final year of teacher preparation including student teaching. For more information and to apply check out their website.

CBC Spouses Performing Arts Scholarship

  • 3000
  • The CBC spouses Performing Arts Scholarship was established to ensure that African-Americans who are pursuing a career in the performing arts receive financial assistance. The performing arts includes theater, drama, comedy, music, dance opera etc. To qualify for this award, you must be enrolled full-time in an accredited academic institution and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. This is a $3000 award. For more information to apply check out their website.

CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship

  • 3000
  • The CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship is for African-American or black students who are were pursuing a degree in the visual arts. Visual arts includes drawing, fashion, graphic design, illustration, interior design, painting, ceramics and more. To be selected you must be a constituent of a CBC member district. Additionally, applicants should be fully enrolled in an accredited academic institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5. For more information and to apply to check out their website.

Dr Barbara Odom-Wesley Spirit of Achievement Scholarship

  • 3000
  • The Doctor Barbara Odom-Wesley Spirit of Achievement Scholarship is name to honor Dr. Odom Wesley for her commitment to education. In order to receive the scholarship applicants should be African-American females who are high school seniors currently attending classes in Tarrant county. This is a $3000 award that may be applied to any two-year for year college and university. Trade, technical and cosmetology schools are not eligible. To be qualified for this award you must have a minimum GPA of 3.5. For more information and to apply check out their website.

ALA – LITA/LSSI Scholarship

  • 2500
  • The LITA/LSSI award is for minority students who are enrolled in the library information technology program. This program is offered through the division of the American library Association and the Library Systems and Services Inc. The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage minorities who are qualified to enter into the library automation field. Students must be able to demonstrate commitment to the use of automated systems in library‘s and be part of a principal minority group such as: American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian or Pacific Islander, African-American or Hispanic. Additionally recipients should be citizens of the United States or Canada. The amount of the award is $2500. For more information and to apply check out their website.

Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship for Racial Ethnic Minority Students

  • 2500
  • The Leonard M. Perryman communications scholarship for racial ethnic minorities is for undergraduate students studying religion journalism or communications. The scholarship is intended for United Methodist graduate student planning to pursue a career in religious journalism by studying at an accredited US College or University. To be eligible for this award you must be a United Methodist ethnic minority currently enrolled at a college as a junior or a senior majoring in journalism/communications. This is a $2500 award. For more information and to apply check out their website.

National Press Club Scholarship for Journalism Diversity

  • 2500
  • The National Press Club Scholarship for Journalism Diversity is a $2500 award for high school seniors with a grade point average of 3.0 or better. To be eligible for this award you must be planning to attend college and intend to become a journalist with a desire to bring diversity to United States journalism. To apply to this award he must fill out a FAFSA form. Additionally, student should submit work samples along with their application. For more information and to apply check out their website.

Page Education Foundation Grants

  • 2500
  • The Page Education Foundation Grants are awarded to Minnesota students of color who are attending a Minnesota post secondary school. The amount of the award is $2500. To be eligible you must be willing to work with young children. Students from all levels of academic backgrounds can apply. Applicants are selected based off of their attitude towards education and their willingness to provide services for students as well as their financial need. To be eligible for this award you must be full-time enrolled at an accredited college in the State of Minnesota. For more information and to apply check out their website.

The LAGRANT Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships

  • 2500
  • The LAGRANT Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship it’s for ethnic minorities who are full-time students at a four-year accredited institution studying advertising marketing or public relations. The amount of the order is $2500 and recipients will receive a trip to New York City where they are able to participate in career building activities for the keynote speaker. To be eligible for this award you must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. For more information to apply check out their website.

Charles Shelton Veterinarian Medicine/Technology Scholarship

  • 2000
  • The Charles Shelton Veterinarian Medicine/Technology scholarship is a $2000 scholarship for African-American students pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine or veterinarian technology. You must be able to demonstrate a commitment to animal welfare and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additionally you can be a graduating high school senior or a current college graduate as well as a returning college student. For more information and to apply check out their website.

RTDNF Carole Simpson Scholarship

  • 2000
  • The RTDNF Carole Simpson Scholarship is a $2000 award to help minority students overcome hurdles that they may face towards their career path inelectronics journalism. To be eligible for this award students must be a sophomore and junior so seniors by the time of the scholarship is awarded and be pursuing a career in one of the following areas: television, digital journalism, or radio. Students must be in good standing and full-time sophomores or higher when warded this scholarship.For more information and to apply check out their website.

Study Abroad Scholarship in BiH for American Minority Students

  • 2000
  • The Turkish Coalition of America offers the study abroad scholarship and BIH for American minority students. This scholarship is a $2000 award for students who have been accepted to attend university in Bosnia. Students must be African-American, Hispanic American, and Native American descent accepted to a university program in Bosnia and Herzegovina. For more information and to apply check out their website.

The Kurt Brown Fellowship for Diverse Voices

  • 1500
  • The Kurt Brown Fellowship for diverse voices as a $1500 award that supports incoming students from a wide variety of backgrounds. To be eligible for this award you must be from a cultural ethnic and geographic background that has not been adequately represented. Additionally, you must be able to demonstrate financial need. For more information on to apply check out their website.

Amos & Edith Wallace Scholarship

  • 1000
  • The Amos and Edith Wallace Scholarship was founded to empower young African-American students who are committed to service and education. To be eligible for this award you must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 as well as be a female African-American high school senior who is graduating from Kankakee high school in Kankakee Illinois. The amount of the award is $1000. To submit an application you must write a 400 to 600 word essay along with your application. For more information and to apply check out their website.

Augustana University Diversity Scholarships

  • 1000
  • The Augustana University Diversity Scholarship is a $1000 award for full-time students who aremembers of a minority ethnic group. To be eligible for this award you must be able to demonstrate financial need as well as be a member of the minority ethnic group. For more information and to apply check out their website.

BLM² Scholarship Foundation College Scholarship

  • 1000
  • The Black Lives Matter Squared Scholarship Foundation College Scholarship was founded believing that anyone should be able to succeed in his or her education. The purpose of this $1000 award is to relieve the financial burden associated with college fees. Recipients of this award are asked to give back in some capacity whether that be through community service or mentoring others. To be eligible you must be a permanent resident of Illinois and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additionally you must be graduating high school and be a minority student who was enrolled full-time during our upcoming fall academic semester. For more information and to apply check out their website.

NSHSS STEAM Scholarships

  • 1000
  • The NSHSS STEAM Scholarship provides high school seniors who have a desire to major in a STEAM subject a $1000 scholarship opportunity. To be eligible for this award you must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Those interested in applying should submit a list of STEAM activities, a photo, transcript as well as a recommendation letter from an educator. For more information and to apply check out their website.

The Pickard Scholarship Fund

  • 1000
  • The Pickard Scholarship Fund is a $1000 award that was established by the Dallas Foundation. The purpose of the award is to support African-American male students in Dallas County. To be eligible you must be an African-American male high school senior with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and be able to demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to those who can demonstrate financial need. Students may reapply for up to four years if they are able to maintain their 2.5 GPA while being enrolled in a 12 hour class load. For more information on to apply check out there Website.

Girls Who Illustrate Awesomeness Scholarship

  • 750
  • The Girls Who Illustrate Awesomeness Scholarship is $750 scholarship for young women of color or gender nonconforming individuals of color who are interested in changing the world. To be eligible you must be currently enrolled in a college or university or about to begin in a college or university in the spring semester and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Submissions are essay of 500 words or you may opt to create a five minute video. For more information and to apply check out their website.

Dr. Wynetta A. Frazier “Sister to Sister” Scholarship

  • 500
  • The Dr. Wynetta A. Frazier “Sister to Sister” Scholarship is a $500 award that’s created to provide financial assistance from mature African-American women who are pursuing post secondary education. To be eligible you must be a returning student whose education was interrupted due to family responsibilities and other demands. If you are ready to complete your college education or entering for the first time because of these factors then you will be eligible to apply. Applicants need to be at least 21 years old. For more information and to apply check out their website.

African American Network of the Carolinas

  • Varies
  • The African-American network of the Carolinas offers various scholarships to college-bound students who are from North and South Carolina. To be eligible you must be pursuing a major in engineering math science computer science accounting and finance or business administration. Additionally applicant should be graduating seniors in North or South Carolina high school attending a four year college or university located in North or South Carolina. For more information and to apply check out their website.

APA Judith McManus Price Scholarship

  • Varies
  • The APA Judith McManus Price Scholarship is for women and minorities African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, or Native American students who are enrolled in a planning accreditation board approved program and are citizens of the United States. To be eligible but you must be planning to pursue a career as a practicing planner in the public sector and be able to demonstrate financial need. The amount of the award varies. For more information and to apply to check out their website.