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Scholarships for African American students in Cincinnati starting college in 2024.

Cincinnati scholarships for Black students.

Scholarships for students attending HBCUs.

Scholarships for graduate students.

Resources for Black high school and college students

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!

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*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. 

Black student working on laptop at the library
Need scholarships to help with college? The search begins here for Black students living in Greater Cincinnati.

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).

Anita B. Brown Scholarship

Must reside in the Cincinnati, Hamilton, Fairfield, or Middletown area and be an incoming first-year student. Students must provide proof of attendance, such as a college acceptance letter.  

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.

Archbishop Alter Scholarship Programs

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 2.0 GPA.

Cincinnati Aspire Foundation Scholarship

Must be a male of African American descent graduating from high school and attending an HBCU in the fall. Students should apply regardless of GPA, ACT, SAT score, or class rank.

Cincinnati NAACP Scholarship

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.

Related Article: Learn how to apply for FAFSA today.

Debbie Walter “Smile & Enjoy” Memorial Scholarship

Must be a student pursuing a healthcare career. Applicants will also have demonstrated an essential role in the fight against ovarian cancer. Examples include volunteering, driving awareness, or supporting survivors.

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.

GE Aerospace Scholarship

Must be a 2024 Greater Cincinnati-area high school graduate with a minimum unweighted 2.8 cumulative GPA. Applicants must be entering the first year of study at an accredited institution as a full-time student. Students may pursue an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.

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.

Ohio Civil Rights Transportation Symposium Scholarship

Must be an Ohio resident, be enrolled as a full-time or part-time undergraduate in an accredited degree-granting institution, have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and pursue a construction or STEM-related degree or certificate.

Related Article: Check out some of Cincinnati’s Youth Education Programs.

Applicants must be females of the African Diaspora graduating seniors from Mt. Healthy, North College Hill, Princeton High School, Winton Woods High School, or Nouveau Chamber Players. Applicants must attend an accredited university or college, demonstrate exemplary community leadership and service, and have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Two letters of recommendation are required.

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.

Black student graduating with a diploma in his hands
Check out scholarships for African American law students in Cincinnati.


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.

Theodore M. Berry Scholarship

For African American students who attend the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

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.

Jack Sherman Jr. Scholarship

Awarded to a deserving minority law student interested in public service and embodies inclusiveness and a belief in justice. Must attend the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University.

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.

Black child looking at phone with his Black father
All this college talk can be overwhelming. Check out these social media accounts that can help break down the information. Learn about financial aid, test prep, scholarship applications, and more.


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.

@collegescholarshipsandgrants

Helps with finding scholarships and information about FAFSA and different student financial aid.

@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.

@collegeproprep

Helps high-school students prepare for college with sessions about college essays, resume reviews, and college application/scholarship questions.

@kdcollegeprep

Improving college test scores and test prep.

@PrepPremier

Improving ACT and SAT scores and college essays.

@collegeprepguide

Advice about graduating high school and college life.

@hbculifestyle

HBCU programs and private scholarships for current students.

@awborders

Combines sports with STEM to help develop a foundation for future learning.

@stephigher1

HBCU tours and university scholarships.

@AfterCollege

Internships and entry-level jobs to help undergraduate students.

@DrInternship

Internships that correlate to future careers of graduate and undergraduate students.

@coll_media_net

Courses and internships that are career-specific for college students.

@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.

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.

Written by: Crystal Kendrick

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 513-270-3880.

Adobe Stock provides Cincinnati African American Scholarships images.

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