What is the cheapest HBCU?

The University of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C., is among the most affordable HBCUs. The school reported a net price of $14,287 in 2022-2023, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Many of the most expensive HBCUs keep tuition costs lower than the national average.

What percentage of HBCU students receive financial aid?

According to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), more than 65% of students at HBCUs receive Pell Grants, and nearly 18% receive PLUS Loans. By comparison, nearly 40% of students at non-HBCUs receive Pell Grants and only about 4% use PLUS loans. Outside of federal aid, many HBCU scholarships are distributed based on available institutional funding, which pales in comparison to that of historically white institutions. On average, HBCUs’ endowments are one-eighth the size of those for non-HBCU institutions, TMCF reports.

Which HBCU has the highest tuition?

Howard University tends to charge more than other HBCUs. Tuition at Howard costs $55,704 for on-campus students and $64,770 for off-campus students. Each credit costs around $1,370.

Which HBCU gives the most scholarships?

Howard University awarded the most financial aid of any HBCU in 2023, according to HBCU Lifestyle. That year, the university awarded $46.8 million in grants and scholarships to first-year students. Many other HBCUs, including Miles College, Coppin State University, Tuskegee University, and Claflin University, tend to award generous scholarship packages to students.

HBCU Scholarships 2024-2025

Updated on October 28, 2024

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HBCU scholarships can help students, especially Black students, pay for college. Learn what HBCU scholarships and grants are offered in 2024-2025.

The cost of college has risen 22-fold since 1963. Scholarships can help you offset this price tag by giving you money you don’t have to pay back.

Historically Black college and university (HBCU) scholarships support students from historically excluded backgrounds — particularly Black students — who are attending or plan to attend an HBCU.

According to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), HBCU students borrow student loans at a higher rate than non-HBCU students. While 80% of HBCU students borrow loans to fund their education, just 55% of non-HBCU students use loans to pay for school.

HBCU scholarships help you earn your degree with less debt — so be sure to check if you’re eligible for any.

Learn more about the BestColleges Black Women in STEM scholarship.

HBCU Scholarships

Here’s a list of popular HBCU scholarships and fellowships you can apply for, whether you’re an incoming undergraduate or a current HBCU student.

Some programs award scholarships based on financial need, while others award based on merit and other factors.

UNCF K-12 Education Fellowship

Eligibility: You must be a junior at a qualifying HBCU to apply. Fellows get exposure to education organizations that specialize in policy, research, advocacy, teaching, and school operations in cities such as Chicago, Boston, New York, Nashville, and Atlanta. All majors are welcome to apply.

Application Deadline: November 27, 2024

Award Amount: Varies

ABOUT LOVE Scholarship

Eligibility: This scholarship supports students at five HBCUs: Lincoln University, Norfolk State University, Bennett College, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Central State University. You must be majoring in a creative field, such as media and visual arts, and have at least a 2.0 GPA. Students with financial hardship get priority.

Application Deadline: July 2025

Award Amount: Varies

Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation

Eligibility: This scholarship targets full-time Black undergraduates in their second year or higher. You must have a record of community service, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and demonstrate financial need or exceptional academic achievement.

Application Deadline: April 15, 2025

Award Amount: Up to $1,000

Ron Brown Scholarship

Eligibility: To apply, you must be a Black, economically challenged high school senior who plans to attend an accredited four-year college in the U.S. You must also be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. All majors are eligible.

Application Deadline: December 1, 2024

Award Amount: $40,000 ($10,000 per school year)

Procter & Gamble How We HBCYOU Scholarship

Eligibility: In partnership with HBCUs and UNCF, Procter & Gamble awards this scholarship to Black college students. To apply, you must be a full-time student; be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident; and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. All majors may apply, but you must demonstrate financial need.

Application Deadline: December 31, 2024

Award Amount: Up to $2,500

Splunk’s 2025 HBCU Academic Scholarship

Eligibility: This scholarship caters to full-time students pursuing a technology bachelor’s or master’s degree at an accredited HBCU. You must write an essay that answers two prompts, have a GPA of at least 3.0, and submit a resume.

Application Deadline: February 7, 2025

Award Amount: $10,000

Delta Community Credit Union HBCU Scholarship

Eligibility: This scholarship targets students who plan to attend or currently attend an HBCU. Students must be nominated; you can even nominate yourself by writing a 250-word nomination essay. You must be an HBCU undergraduate or a graduating high school senior with an acceptance letter from an HBCU.

Application Deadline: October 31, 2024

Award Amount: $5,000

HBCU Week X NFL Scholarship

Eligibility: To apply, you must provide proof you’ve been accepted into an HBCU. You must also have at least a 3.0 GPA, demonstrate financial need, and hold U.S. citizenship or U.S. national or permanent resident status.

Application Deadline: February 17, 2025

Award Amount: $10,000

Grants for HBCU Students

Like scholarships, grants are gifts awarded to students who meet certain qualifications. These do not need to be repaid, though some grants may include service agreements.

Grants for HBCU students can help alleviate some of the student loan debt that disproportionately affects Black college graduates.

The following are among the most popular federal grant opportunities.

Federal Pell Grant

Eligibility: To apply for a Pell Grant, you must be an undergraduate who hasn’t earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or professional degree. You must submit the FAFSA and demonstrate financial need.

Application Deadline: June 30 (FAFSA deadline)

Award Amount: Up to $7,395 for the 2024-2025 school year

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

Eligibility: Eligible students, as determined by the FAFSA, include undergraduates who have not previously earned a bachelor’s degree. You’ll get priority if you demonstrate exceptional financial need.

Application Deadline: June 30 (FAFSA deadline)

Award Amount: $100-$4,000 per year

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

Eligibility: Eligible students are those who do not qualify for a Federal Pell Grant based on their student aid index but meet all other criteria. You must have been younger than 24 or enrolled in college at least part time when your parent or guardian died during military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11.

Application Deadline: June 30, 2025 (FAFSA deadline)

Award Amount: Up to $7,395

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant

Eligibility: To apply for the TEACH Grant, you must meet the general criteria for federal student aid programs and be enrolled in a TEACH Grant-eligible program. You must also score above the 75th percentile on one or more parts of a college admissions test or maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA. Lastly, you must agree to teach for at least four years at low-income schools in high-need fields. If you do not fulfill the service requirement within eight years after graduation, the TEACH grant is retroactively turned into an unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford Loan.

Application Deadline: June 30, 2025 (FAFSA deadline)

Award Amount: Up to $4,000 per year

Additional Financial Resources for HBCU Students

Frequently Asked Questions About HBCU Scholarships

Some HBCUs offer “free” tuition in the form of full-ride scholarships. Other HBCUs may offer big discounts, such as universal in-state tuition rates or tuition waivers, for students who meet certain criteria.

You can combine these discounts with scholarships and grants to cover much of your tuition fees and education expenses.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute professional financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Readers of this website should contact a professional advisor before making decisions about financial issues.

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