20 Scholarships For Black Graduate Students (updated regularly)

If you’re wondering what scholarships are available for African American students, you’re in the right place.

Going back to school can be both exciting and stressful. And if you’re the first in your family to attend college, the pressure can be real. 

But don’t let finances stand between you and getting a master’s degree. 

We’ve compiled the top scholarships for black graduate students in the United States. Let’s jump right in!

Is it hard to get a scholarship for graduate school?

While it can be harder to get a scholarship for graduate school than undergraduate, that doesn’t mean there aren’t resources to help you.

It means you’ll have to search harder and get creative when applying for grants.

For example, you’ll need to look into university-specific scholarship programs or scholarships based on your field of study or identity. 

Further down in this article, we’ll highlight some scholarships for black graduate students.

20 Scholarships for Black Graduate Students

1. KnowBe4 for Black Americans in Cybersecurity Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: April 

Undergraduate freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student 

KnowBe4 offers scholarships for black graduate students pursuing degrees in cybersecurity or information assurance. To qualify, you’ll need a minimum GPA of 3.2.

If you’re a black student studying cybersecurity or a related field, you’ll want to check this one out!

2. The Legacy Lab Foundation Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: October 

The Legacy Lab Scholarship is for black students that are passionate about their community and want to create positive change.

To complete the application, you’ll need to create a video explaining your future vision and dreams for making a positive impact in your community. 

This scholarship program prioritizes passion and personality, so you’ll want to show up as your authentic self.

3. Spectrum Scholarship Program

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: March

The Spectrum Scholarship Program is for minority students attending an ALA-accredited graduate program in library and information studies. 

Sponsored by the American Library Association, this scholarship wants to empower the next generation of diverse librarians. 

In addition to financial support, the ALA offers job readiness and career placement opportunities at libraries and within the ALA. 

If you’re dreaming of a career in library and information studies, be sure to check out this scholarship.

4. National Black MBA Association Scholarship

Amount: Up to $5,000

Deadline: May 

The NBMBAA® Graduate Scholarship Program offers tuition assistance to students who demonstrate academic excellence, exceptional leadership potential, and are actively involved in their communities through service to others.

To qualify for this scholarship, you must be a financially active member of the NBMBAA who demonstrates community involvement. You must also be enrolled in an accredited graduate business degree program.

5. AICPA Scholarship Award for Minority Accounting Students

Amount: Up to $5,000

Deadline: March 

The AICPA Scholarship Award offers scholarships annually for minority accounting students from underrepresented groups seeking a degree in accounting or an accounting-related major.

To qualify, you must have completed at least 30 semester hours of coursework, including at least 6 semester hours in accounting. 

6. United Health Foundation Louis Stokes Scholarship

Amount: Between $5,000 – $8,000

Deadline: April

The United Health Foundation Louis Stokes Scholarship is for Black students interested in a healthcare career.

It’s open to students earning an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree full-time at a college or university

If your goal is to launch a career in the medical field, you’ll want to apply for this scholarship.

7. Albert W. Dent Graduate Student Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: March

The Foundation of the American College of Healthcare Executives awards this scholarship to racially and ethnically diverse students enrolled in their last year of a healthcare management master’s degree program like healthcare administration.

You must demonstrate financial need and complete your online application to qualify for this award.

8. Black Philanthropy Bannister Scholarship

Amount: Varies

Deadline: September 

The Rhode Island Foundation offers the Black Philanthropy Bannister Scholarship to Black students interested in medicine and community service.

To be eligible for this award, you must be an African American student from Rhode Island pursuing a career in healthcare. 

This scholarship may be renewable for up to four years and is open to undergraduate and graduate students.

9. Sidney B. Williams Jr. Scholarship

Amount: Up to $30,000

Deadline: March 

If you’re a black student pursuing a career in law, the Sidney B. Williams Jr. Scholarship should be added to your list. 

This generous scholarship program offers financial support for three years of law school. 

Sponsored by the Foundation for Advancement of Diversity in IP Law, having an interest in patent law will earn you points with this scholarship. 

In addition to academic achievements, this program prioritizes applicants with leadership qualities and a track record of community service.

10. George A. Strait Minority Scholarship and Fellowship

Amount: Varies

Deadline: April 

The George A. Strait Minority Scholarship and Fellowship awards distinguished law librarians and accept minority applicants who want to pursue a career in law librarianship.

To qualify for this award, you must be enrolled in law school or an ALA-accredited library graduate program.

If you’re a law librarian looking for recognition in your industry, this one is for you.

11. Larry W. Carter Scholarship

Amount: $3,000

Deadline: May 

The Larry W. Carter Scholarship is open to any African American Iowa resident pursuing full-time or part-time studies at the undergraduate or graduate level. 

The applications are available each year in the spring. If you’re an Iowa resident, check out this scholarship. 

12. NYWICI Scholarship Program

Amount: Between $2,500 to $10,000

Deadline: February 

New York Women in Communications offers scholarships to students pursuing a career or major in the field of communications.

To be considered for this scholarship, you must be a resident of NY, NJ, CT, or PA. Or live in a different state but go to school in New York. 

If you’re a graduate student, you must also be a member of New York Women in Communications in good standing. 

13. Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship

Amount: $35,000, plus Summer Associate salary

Deadline: February 

The Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship is a well-paying program that could jumpstart your career in the financial services industry. 

It’s available to underrepresented graduate students in their first year of business school, 

In addition to the scholarship, winners will receive a $40,000 salary for their work as a summer associate at Goldman Sachs.

14. Minority Teachers of Illinois (MTI) Scholarship Program

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: March 

The Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship Program is a unique award that funds college for the winner in return for their commitment as a teacher at a non-profit school – in the state of Illinois upon earning their degree.

To be eligible, you must be enrolled or accepted at least part-time as an undergraduate or graduate student at an Illinois institution of higher education.

If you’re interested in teaching, this could be the perfect opportunity. 

15. CANFit Graduate Scholarship

Amount: $1500

Deadline: TBD 

This CANFit Graduate Scholarship award is available for minority students enrolled in a graduate program for nutrition, public health nutrition, or physical education.

It’s also available to those in an American Dietetic Association-approved pre-professional practice program at an accredited California college or university. 

To qualify, you must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and have completed 12 to 15 units of graduate coursework at the time of application.

16. Appraisal Institute Education & Relief Scholarships

Amount: Varies 

Deadline: Varies 

The Appraisal Institute Education & Relief Foundation offers a variety of scholarships to minorities and women to help with the cost of degrees in real estate appraisal or related fields.

If you’re interested in a career in real estate appraisal, check out their list of scholarships to see if you qualify.

17. Herman J. Neal Scholarship

Amount: $4000

Deadline: April 

The Herman J. Neal Scholarship is for black students who are Illinois residents attending an accounting program of study at an Illinois college or university.

Offered by the Illinois CPA Society, it supports academic scholarships that reward African American students who demonstrate strong academic performance, leadership qualities, and financial need. 

18. Rangel Graduate Fellowship

Amount: Up to $42,000 per year (for two years)

Deadline: September 

The Rangel Graduate Fellowship is a program that prepares high-achieving students for careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State.

The fellowship is available to minority students who are pursuing a graduate degree in foreign affairs. 

To be considered, you must have a grade point average of 3.2 or higher and demonstrate financial need.

19. NABA Scholarship Program

Amount: Varies

Deadline: Varies 

The National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) offers a variety of scholarships annually ranging from $1,000 – $10,000.

These awards are available to undergraduate or graduate students who are African American (black) or of African descent and are active members of NABA.  

To qualify, you must have an overall grade point average of 3.3 or higher and a major grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

20. Porter Physiology Development Fellowship

Amount: $28,300 stipend

Deadline: January 

The Porter Physiology Development Fellowship is available for minority graduate students who are working toward a Ph.D. in physiology.

The goal of this award is to encourage diversity among students pursuing full-time studies toward a Ph.D. in the physiological sciences and to encourage their participation in the American Physiological Society (APS).

If you’re interested in a career in physiological sciences, check out this fellowship. 

Getting Started with African American Graduate Scholarships

If getting a graduate degree is what you want. Just know that there are resources out there to make that happen. Hopefully, this list gives you a starting point for financing your education. 

We’ll keep this list updated for you. Check back for more black graduate scholarships. Set a reminder to follow up on scholarships with application deadlines later in the year. 

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Over To You

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