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If you’re looking for scholarships for African American Studies, you’ve come to the right place for funding your bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. African American Studies is a unique interdisciplinary field within the humanities that focuses on studying the struggles faced by people of African descent. From the African Diaspora to the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, African Americans have played a prominent role in shaping our great nation’s diverse culture. By earning a degree in African American Studies, you’ll delve into difficult issues of inequality to form a better understanding of our modern world. Graduates of African American Studies programs are adept critical thinkers, researchers, global citizens, and advocates for social change. The following are 25 excellent African American Studies scholarships available across the United States to encourage a fuller appreciation of cultural differences.
1. Audrey Y. Smedley Scholarship
Deadline: February 15th
Created in 2001 at Virginia Commonwealth University, the Audrey Y. Smedley Scholarship is awarded to full-time undergraduate students who are currently majoring in African American studies and have clear research interests in studying the African American experience. Eligible applicants must carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, not be graduating seniors, show active involvement in community service, not be engaged in full-time off-campus employment, and write a 500-word essay on the future of African American studies.
Contact
Audrey Y. Smedley Scholarship
816 West Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23284
(804) 828-1371
cshanbury@vcu.edu
2. B. Wayne Daniels Scholarship
Deadline: March 9th
Annually, the B. Wayne Daniels Scholarship is granted by Contra Costa College for $700 to currently enrolled students who have majored in African American Studies or taking at least five courses in African American Studies. Qualified candidates must be planning to transfer to a four-year university this fall, possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, demonstrate strong community involvement, show leadership potential, submit an autobiographical personal statement, and attach two letters of recommendation.
Contact
B. Wayne Daniels Scholarship
2600 Mission Bell Drive
San Pablo, CA 94806
(510) 215-6026
finaidatccc@contracosta.edu
3. Black Scholars Endowed Scholarship
Deadline: January 2nd
At George Mason University, the Black Scholars Endowed Scholarship is presented for $1,500 annually to undergraduate students from underrepresented ethnic minorities who have completed at least one course in their African American Studies major or minor. Ppplicants must carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, have taken at least 12 credits at GMU, show a commitment to diversity, and be active members of a campus organization. First preference will be given to African or African American students.
Contact
Black Scholars Endowed Scholarship
4335 Chesapeake River Way
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 993-8696
aackley@gmu.edu
Scholarship Link
4. Bliss Verdon Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: May 4th
In honor of a former SUNY Stony Brook student who was murdered in Queens by an ex-boyfriend, Bliss Verdon Memorial Scholarship is awarded for $1,000 annually to a full-time junior or senior student majoring in African American Studies who plans to study abroad in Africa. Along with the completed application, students are required to submit a current resume, official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a two-page personal essay showing their commitment to resolving African issues.
Contact
Bliss Verdon Memorial Scholarship
180 Administration Building
Stony Brook, NY 11794
(631) 632-6840
finaid@stonybrook.edu
5. Carter G. Woodson Research Fellowship
Deadline: December 1st
Offering an annual stipend of $20,000 plus health insurance, the Carter G. Woodson Institute grants the Pre-Doctoral Residential Research Fellowship annually to graduate scholars whose dissertation research will be focusing on Africa and/or the African Diaspora. Interested students must submit a research proposal, curriculum vitae, 250-word personal statement, and three confidential recommendations. Fellows will spend two years in residence at the University of Virginia to conduct their research and participate in workshops.
Contact
Carter G. Woodson Research Fellowship
108 Minor Hall
Charlottesville, VA 22904
(434) 924-3109
woodson@virginia.edu
6. Catherine W. Pierce Scholarship
Deadline: June 25th
Through the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the Catherine W. Pierce Scholarship is available for up to $5,000 annually to students pursuing liberal arts degrees, including visual art, economics, anthropology, public policy, theatre, music, design, African American studies, public relations, and more. Eligible undergraduates must attend a four-year institution with UNCF membership, have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, carry an overall minimum GPA of 2.5, and demonstrate financial need.
Contact
Catherine W. Pierce Scholarship
1805 7th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 810-0258
michael.burton@uncf.org
7. CBCF Congressional Fellows Program
Deadline: April 7th
Sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), the Congressional Fellows Program is available for African American Studies majors aged 40 and under who are working towards a career in public service to advocate for diversity. Qualified applicants must be U.S. citizens or permitted to work in America, have African heritage, attend an accredited graduate school, and demonstrate interest in public policy. Fellows will receive $40,000, work full-time on Capitol Hill, and attend leadership development seminars.
Contact
CBCF Congressional Fellows Program
1720 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 263-2800
info@cbcfinc.org
8. Cecil Mayo Scholarship Award
Deadline: February 15th
At Texas State University, the College of Liberal Arts gives the Cecil Mayo Scholarship Award for $500 each semester to full-time enrolled African American males who are majoring or minoring in Diversity Studies and participating in the Black Men United organization. Eligible recipients must take at least 12 credits per semester, maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.75, exhibit leadership skills, and be committed to public service. Applicants must write a 250-word statement explaining how they’ll empower black men to better our communities.
Contact
Cecil Mayo Scholarship Award
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666
(512) 245-2361
CDGS@txstate.edu
9. Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Scholarship
Deadline: May 7th
In honor of a multi-talented abolitionist, poet, and novelist who pledged her life’s service to fighting for racial justice and the end of slavery, the Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Scholarship is granted by Temple University for $1,000 annually. Eligible candidates must be enrolled full-time in the College of Liberal Arts, have devoted their undergraduate studies to Africology or African American Studies, demonstrate outstanding community service, maintain good academic standing, and have at least sophomore-level standing.
Contact
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Scholarship
1114 West Polett Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122
(215) 204-8491
rebecca.alpert@temple.edu
10. Frederick Douglass Institute Predoctoral Fellowship
Deadline: December 20th
Within the Frederick Douglass Institute (FDI), there’s an annual Predoctoral Fellowship that offers $26,000 annually to outstanding graduate students who are pursuing their Ph.D. in the field of African or African American Studies. To apply, candidates must have completed all required courses, qualifying exams, and at least one dissertation chapter. Applications won’t be complete without an official transcript, curriculum vitae, research proposal, and three letters of academic recommendation.
Contact
Frederick Douglass Institute Predoctoral Fellowship
P.O. Box 270440
Rochester, NY 14627
(585) 276-5744
FDI@mail.rochester.edu
Scholarship Link
11. Gwen Kagey Scholarship Program
Deadline: November 30th
Administered by The Ohio State University, the Gwen Kagey Scholarship Program is designed to award $1,000 annually to six undergraduate and graduate students who are currently majoring in African American or African Studies at the bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral level. For consideration for these African American Studies scholarships, students must submit an application, write a two-page statement of intent, supply one letter of faculty support, and create a budget showing how the funds will be used.
Contact
Gwen Kagey Scholarship Program
230 North Oval Mall
Columbus, OH 43210
(614) 292-3700
afamast@osu.edu
12. Helen Miller Bailey Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 24th
In memory of a beloved educator who devoted her career to promoting diversity, the Helen Miller Bailey Memorial Scholarship is presented at East Los Angeles College for $1,000 to current students who are majoring in African American Studies, Asian American Studies, Economics, History, Political Science, or Sociology. Qualified candidates must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, have completed at least 12 ELAC units, plan to transfer to a four-year university, and have career plans in public service.
Contact
Helen Miller Bailey Memorial Scholarship
1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez
Monterey Park, CA 91754
(323) 265-8901
info@elacfoundation.org
13. Institute of American Cultures Fellowships
Deadline: February 4th
In the amount of $6,000 per quarter, the Institute of American Cultures (IAC) provides several fellowships annually to graduate students who are majoring in American Indian Studies, Asian American Studies, African American Studies, or Chicano Studies. Eligible scholars must be enrolled in an accredited doctoral program, have advanced to candidacy, be conducting dissertation research based on ethnic studies, and exhibit financial need. There’s also a $7,000 Research Grant program for those studying interethnic relations.
Contact
Institute of American Cultures Fellowships
160 Haines Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90095
(310) 825-7403
iaccoordinator@conet.ucla.edu
14. John Densmore Scholarship Fund
Deadline: November 21st
Created in 1991 by the former drummer for The Doors, the John Densmore Scholarship Fund is offered for $5,000 to undergraduate students at the University of California- Los Angeles who a majoring in African American Studies. Qualified recipients must have significant unmet financial aid, maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, and submit two confidential letters of recommendation. Selection will be made competitively based on academic achievement, educational goals, and interest in studying the Afro-American community.
Contact
John Densmore Scholarship Fund
160 Haines Hall
Los Angeles, 90095
(310) 825-7403
acramon@bunche.ucla.edu
15. Joseph A. Towles African Study Abroad Scholarship
Deadline: November 22nd
Named in memory of a black social anthropologist who studied African cultures in Uganda, the Joseph A. Towles African Study Abroad Scholarship is one of several African American Studies scholarships granted by the United College Negro Fund (UNCF). Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens or nationals, have at least sophomore status, attend a four-year affiliated institution, be African American, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and plan to study abroad in Africa this upcoming academic year.
Contact
Joseph A. Towles African Study Abroad Scholarship
1805 7th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 810-0258
fred.mitchell@uncf.org
16. Kamoinge-Ferman Undergraduate Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
In the amount of $1,500, the Kamoinge-Ferman Undergraduate Scholarship is bestowed by the Columbia College Chicago for full-time students in the Humanities, History, and Social Sciences Department who are interested in African American Studies or African Diaspora research. Eligible applicants must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, have completed 15 or more credits at Columbia, demonstrate financial need, showcase scholastic promise, and write an essay on the life of an African American who advocated for justice or solidarity.
Contact
Kamoinge-Ferman Undergraduate Scholarship
600 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 369-7844
scholarships@colum.edu
17. Manasota ASALH Scholarship Awards
Deadline: March 15th
Ranging in value from $1,000 to $2,500 apiece, the Manasota Branch of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) provides several undergraduate African American Studies scholarships for up to 22 local graduating high school seniors. Black applicants must reside in the Manasota area, be accepted at an accredited post-secondary institution, display academic promise with a minimum GPA of 3.0, have proven leadership in school or community service, and declare a major in African American Studies.
Contact
Manasota ASALH Scholarship Awards
P.O. Box 2356
Sarasota, FL 34230
contact@asalh-manasotafl.org
18. NCBS College Student Essay Scholarships
Deadline: January 1st
Sponsored by the National Council for Black Studies (NCBS), the College Student Essay Competition is held annually to award scholarships to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who submit a scholarly essay focused on the art, education, history, literature, politics, psychology, or social policy issues of the Africana experience. Participants must submit only typed, original essays in MLA or APA style format with contact information for their faculty advisor. Winners will receive anywhere from $125 to $450 for their submissions.
Contact
NCBS College Student Essay Scholarships
P.O. Box 210370
Cincinnati, OH 45221
(513) 556-0785
info@ncbsonline.org
19. Ray Charles Endowed Scholarship
Deadline: June 14th
Also offered by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) in honor of the Grammy award-winning musician, the Ray Charles Endowed Scholarship is given annually for up to $4,500 to black college students who are enrolled full-time in their junior year of an acceptable major, including African American Studies. Qualified candidates must attend a UNCF-affiliated historically black institution, have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, and demonstrate unmet financial need. Awards are renewable for up to one year.
Contact
Ray Charles Endowed Scholarship
1805 7th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 810-0258
ambre.reed@uncf.org
Scholarship Link
20. Shirley Wade Thomas Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: October 9th
At San Diego State University, the Shirley Wade Thomas Memorial Scholarship is given for $500 to $1,000 annually through the College of Arts & Letters to honor a former professor who was a widely recognized expert in black child development. To apply, currently enrolled undergraduate students must have declared an Africana Studies major, carry a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, and maintain full-time enrollment throughout the semester. Africana Studies majors may also qualify for SDSU’s Danny Scarborough Scholarship.
Contact
Shirley Wade Thomas Memorial Scholarship
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182
(619) 594-5174
AfricanaSDSU@aol.com
21. Sylvester Turner Academic Distinction Scholarship
Deadline: March 6th
Within the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the University of Houston has created the Sylvester Turner Academic Distinction Scholarship to award $1,000 to African American Studies majors who are interested in pursuing a career serving lower income, disadvantaged communities. Qualified applicants must be undergraduate students, have completed at least 12 UH credits, maintain full-time enrollment, carry a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, and exhibit leadership qualifies for leading social change.
Contact
Sylvester Turner Academic Distinction Scholarship
629 Agnes Arnold Hall
Houston, TX 77204
(713) 743-2811
jconyers@uh.edu
22. Thomas Terrill Scholarship Fund
Deadline: February 12th
At the University of South Carolina, the Thomas Terrill Scholarship Fund is designed to provide $1,000 to one undergraduate student majoring in African American Studies and one graduate student majoring in History with an emphasis in African American History. For consideration, applicants must be entering at least their junior year, achieve a minimum major GPA of 3.5, demonstrate financial growth, exhibit scholarly growth, be dominated by USC faculty, and present a one-page personal statement.
Contact
Thomas Terrill Scholarship Fund
258 Gambrell Hall
Columbia, SC 29208
(803) 777-7248
valeriea@mailbox.sc.edu
23. Turner-Wright Scholarship in African American Studies
Deadline: February 1st
For $1,000 annually, the Turner-Wright Scholarship in African American Studies is bestowed by the College of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) to a full-time sophomore, junior, or senior student majoring or minoring in African American Studies. Priority is given to students of African American descent, but students of all ethnicities who carry a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 and have at least one semester remaining are welcome to apply.
Contact
Turner-Wright Scholarship in African American Studies
425 University Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
(317) 274-8662
libarts@iupui.edu
24. Ulysses S. Doss Scholarship Program
Deadline: March 27th
As one of the undergraduate African American Studies scholarships available at the University of Montana in Missoula, the Ulysses S. Doss Scholarship Program awards up to $1,200 every year in honor of the department’s founding director. Eligible recipients must exhibit financial need, have performed community service, submit two letters of reference, have sophomore or junior status, be majoring or minoring in African American Studies, and show a commitment to working with individuals from diverse populations.
Contact
Ulysses S. Doss Scholarship Program
32 Campus Drive Suite 262
Missoula, MT 59812
(406) 243-6225
tobin.shearer@umontana.edu
25. Whitney Ransome Scholarship Award
Deadline: April 30th
Offering $1,250 per semester based on merit, the Whitney Ransome Scholarship Award is presented by the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) to full-time undergraduate students who are currently enrolled with a major in African American and African Diaspora Studies. Qualified candidates must show academic promise, submit a faculty letter of recommendation, have completed at least nine hours of African American Studies credits, demonstrate significant financial need, and write a 250-word career aspirations essay.
Contact
Whitney Ransome Scholarship Award
349 Curry Building
Greensboro, NC 27402
(336) 334-5507
aads@uncg.edu
Scholarship Link
Whether you’re majoring in African American Studies to work in government, academia, public health, social services, communications, business, or any other field, you’ll need to first afford at least four years of tuition bills in post-secondary education. Since college expenses are steadily rising, it’s essential that you find several funding options to make your degree more affordable and reduce your future loan debt. Luckily, these are just 25 university scholarships for African American Studies that are devoted specifically to those examining the historical, political, and social experiences of peoples from Africa.
