Scholarships for African American students in Cincinnati starting college in 2026.
Merit-based and grade point average-based scholarship awards are available to Black first-year students and undergraduates to pay college tuition. More than $100,000 of scholarship money is available to Black and African American students to pay for college. Also, students should consider seeing if they qualify for a Federal Pell Grant for the most opportunities for assistance!
*Students are encouraged to confirm information before applying for available scholarships and grants listed or submitting applications. Confirm deadlines, required documents such as a letter of recommendation, and submission formats such as online scholarship submission.
Scholarships for African American high school seniors in Cincinnati
Each scholarship has its requirements. Options vary from athletic scholarships, merit-based, and grants from endowments. Some options require a scholarship essay, while others require a counselor’s recommendation letter. Check out these scholarship funds today.
American Association of Blacks in Energy Scholarship Program
Must be a minority high school senior with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0. Must intend to enroll in an accredited college or university. Students must major in business, one of the physical sciences (for example, chemistry), technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM majors).
Anthony Munoz Scholarship
Must be graduating from Tri-State area high school with a minimum 3.0 GPA or 18 composite ACT score. The student must enter an accredited Tri-State college or university with a desire and intent to overcome adversity. Students should also have a financial need to excel academically and fulfill a leadership role in the community.
Father Augustus Tolton Endowment Grant
Must be an African American Catholic senior living in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Students must attend a two-year or four-year university and maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Scholarship
Must be a woman, cis or trans, who is a full-time or part-time student in vocational, community college, four-year degree, or graduate programs; is currently or has participated in a program of YWCA Greater Cincinnati; must agree to remain in contact with YWCA Greater Cincinnati and participate in evaluations conducted by the YWCA for up to 2 years after graduation to determine the success of the program.
Cincinnati Aspire Foundation Scholarship
Must be a male of African American descent graduating from high school and attending college in the fall. Students should apply regardless of GPA, ACT, SAT score, or class rank.
Cincinnati NAACP Scholarships
Must be an African American student graduating from a Cincinnati Public School with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Students should show leadership or leadership potential in their academic pursuits and personal lives. Applicants cannot be relatives of a NAACP committee member or staff.
Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation
Applicants must reside in the Greater Cincinnati Area and attend an accredited, non-proprietary college, university, or trade school. Butler, Clermont, Hamilton, Warren, Boone, Campbell, Kenton, and Dearborn County are eligible areas.
Delta Sigma Theta Scholastic Achievement Award
Must be a female high school senior of African American descent with a minimum 2.75 GPA. Applicants should demonstrate leadership and partake in community service. Academic achievement and financial need are also considered.
Doris Larkin McAdams Memorial Scholarship Fund
Must be an African American female high school senior graduating from a Greater Cincinnati high school. Students must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Applicants must attend an accredited four-year college or university.
Greater Cincinnati African American Scholarship Fund
Must be a 2026 graduate entering first year of study at a 2–5-year accredited institution, enrolled in full-time curriculum pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree, and have an un-weighted cumulative grade point average of 2.8.
Helen Lee Gentry Scholarship
Merit-based scholarship for an African American student who lives a Christian lifestyle, exemplifies academic excellence, and contributes to our community. There is no minimum GPA or test score.
Mamie Earl Sells College Scholarship
Must be an African American high school female in Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky with a cumulative 3.0 GPA. Applicants must demonstrate an ability to overcome adversity and attend a post-secondary institution.
Related Article: Check out some of Cincinnati’s Youth Education Programs.
Rising Stars Scholarship
Must have an unweighted 3.0 GPA and a solid commitment to continual education. Applicants should also have community involvement (including community service with the foundation).
The Reverend Dr. Matilda Dunn Scholarship
Applicants must be a woman of color and an Episcopalian or Anglican. Applicants must be a community college, undergraduate, graduate, seminarian, or non-traditional student.
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 10 Scholarship
Applicants must either be a veteran or a family member/dependent of a veteran. Students must either be high school seniors or currently enrolled in a college, technical, or vocational school. Applicants may be full-time or part-time students.
Wilma E. Lacy Memorial Scholarship Program
Must be an African American female high school senior graduating from a Greater Cincinnati high school. Applicants must attend an accredited four-year college or university with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Applicants should have strong leadership and community involvement.
Fred Heisel, Jr. Grant-In-Aid Award
Must be a male high school senior. Applicants must have at least achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.8, a copy of their official transcript, and a letter of acceptance from an institution of higher learning. Applicants are encouraged to have a letter of recommendation.
E. Kathleen Cooke Scholarship
Must be a graduating senior and a student within the City of Cincinnati and surrounding communities. Must have a cumulative GPA of a 2.80 or better and an acceptance to an accredited college or university with plans to enroll for the upcoming fall semester.
LDF Scholarship
Applicants must live within Cincinnati’s I-275 loop and be a current senior in high school continuing to a college education during the 26-27 school year. Applicants cannot be a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., or related to such a member. Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation and an official transcript.
Scholarships for African American law students in Cincinnati
These endowed scholarships can help African American law students pay for tuition. Some are merit scholarships, while others are based on leadership and community engagement. Check out these scholarships today.
Shanda L. Spurlock Memorial Scholarship
Must be an African American resident of Greater Cincinnati attending any accredited law school. Applicants should demonstrate leadership potential and dedication to the Cincinnati community.
Williams A. McClain Scholarship
Must be an African American law student attending any accredited law school. Applicants should demonstrate leadership potential, a dedication to the Cincinnati community, and has expressed a financial need.
Judge Nathanial R. Jones Memorial Scholarship
Awarded to an African American law student who has demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence and community service. Must attend either the University of Cincinnati College of Law or the Northern Kentucky University Chase College of Law.
Don’t reside in the Greater Cincinnati Area? The Voice of Black Cincinnati has a national scholarship database to which you can apply. Sometimes, international students, Hispanic students, and other underrepresented minorities can apply for these free scholarship opportunities. Check them out today.
More College Financial Aid, Assistance, and Coaching for students
The following accounts can be incredible resources for your college journey. Information can range from scholarships for high school seniors to test prep and more. Check out these accounts and make the college journey a little easier.
@thescholarbudget
This account posts scholarships, information about how to apply for scholarships, and financial advice for undergraduate students.
@federalstudentaid
This is the official account for FAFSA and has resources for information about the federal student financial aid process.
@scholarshipmoneyforstudents
Student scholarships and workshops that are specific to career paths.
@seedsoffortune
Scholarships for college, financial literacy, and internships for first-year college students and beyond.
@kdcollegeprep
Improving college test scores and test prep.
@hbculifestyle
HBCU programs and private scholarships for current students.
@stephigher1
HBCU tours and university scholarships.
@HBCU20x20
Connects African American college students with internships and alums with jobs.
@greatyop1
Scholarships, internships, and other opportunities for youth during the academic year. This account posts Hispanic scholarships as well as international options.
Related Article: Find Scholarships Across the Country
College costs and scholarship information can be overwhelming in the search, but it is all up to each individual. Free college is possible through student scholarships.
Looking for scholarships is worthwhile. With multiple ways to pay for school, students may be able to eliminate or reduce student loan debt. Graduate and have college repaid in no time! Apply for a scholarship today.
Please let us know if we have missed any college scholarships available to Black students in Cincinnati. If any other local organizations want their scholarship listed here, please get in touch with The Voice of Black Cincinnati.
The Voice of Black Cincinnati is a media company designed to educate, recognize, and create opportunities for African Americans. Want to find local news, events, job postings, scholarships, and a database of local Black-owned businesses? Visit our homepage, explore other articles, subscribe to our newsletter, like our Facebook page, join our Facebook group, and text VOBC to 513-966-3328.
Adobe Stock provides Cincinnati African American Scholarships images.
