Minority scholarships provide students with financial assistance.
Minority scholarships for African American graduate school candidates are essential to the large population of black students exploring additional ways to fund their degrees. Minority scholarships exist to help mitigate the barrier between African Americans and higher educational attainment. Successful scholarship applicants must demonstrate a consistent record of academic excellence, community service and strength of character to compete for the numerous awards.
Ford Foundation
The Ford Foundation's mission is to enhance faculty diversity within the nation's leading universities by increasing the number of minority professors. Students who are U.S. citizens, possess excellent academic achievement and maintain an interest in university research can apply for this annual scholarship program. Students receive stipends and research opportunities throughout graduate school.
Ford Foundation Fellowship Program
Fellowships Office, Keck 576
National Research Council
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-334-2872
nationalacademies.org
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Educational Advancement Foundation awards academically successful African American graduate students through fellowships, community assistance and academic scholarships. The foundation awarded more than 100 scholarships totaling to $197,732 in 2009. Merit and financial need scholarships range from $750 to $2,500. Students who surpass academic standards or demonstrate financial need are granted non-renewable scholarships. Applicants are judged on the following criteria: service, grade point average, sophomore status or higher and enrollment. Those in community service are offered funding to engage in specific service programs or independent projects. Awards for volunteers range from $750 to $1,500.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Educational Advancement Foundation
5656 South Stony Island
Chicago, IL 60637
800-653-6528
akaeaf.org
United Negro College Fund
The United Negro College Fund Merck Science Initiative awards 12 graduate school candidates with dissertation fellowships each year. The Merck Institute for Science Foundation funds each student's tuition, room and board, and research fees. The renewable awards total up to $52,000 each year.
UNCF
8260 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive
Fairfax, VA 22031
908-423-5655
uncf.org
Special Libraries Association
The Special Libraries Association Scholarship Program awards an Affirmative Action Scholarship for graduate study in library science. Candidates are eligible for one non-renewable $6,000 scholarship every year. Eligible candidates must be members of a minority group. Applicants must provide proof of candidacy plus an official transcript in addition to a resume demonstrating library work.
Special Libraries Association
331 South Patrick St.
Alexandria, VA 22314-3501
703-647-4900
sla.org
Tags: African American, Alpha Kappa, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Sorority, Ford Foundation, graduate school