African American Women Scholarships

The Essence Scholars Program is a minority scholarship that is awarded to female African American undergraduate students. All applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university at the sophomore or junior level. In addition, an applicant’s current school of choice must also be part of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). Exceptions to the United Negro College Fund rule include Howard University and Hampton University.

Applicants for the Essence Scholars Program must have:

• A GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Need of financial assistance proven through a FAFSA application

The first step towards applying for the Essence Scholars Program is to go through the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) process. This application can be found on the FAFSA website (www.fafsa.ed.gov). If it is determined by the FAFSA process that an applicant is, indeed, of financial assistance, it will then be possible to apply for the Essence Scholars Program.

This scholarship is awarded to 5 African American female students each year. The maximum amount of money given through the Essence Scholars Program is $10,000, though this amount can also be of a lesser value. As the name of this undergraduate scholarship dictates, the Essence Scholars Program is supported by Essence Magazine.

Essence Magazine is a magazine that is solely dedicated to the many roles that black women play within today’s world. Presently, Essence Magazine is owned by Time Warner Inc. but the premise of the magazine remains the same as it always was. Thus, the minority scholarship offered by Time Warner is the same scholarship that was offered more than six years ago.

Women who are awarded the Essence Magazine undergraduate scholarship are often able to express a yearning for academic achievement. Thos applying for this scholarship should be able to show an aptitude for learning as well as an understanding of the African American world today. Since this scholarship is directly connected to the United Negro College Fund, it is also important for applicants to have a general understand of the fund’s work.

The United Negro College Fund was originally founded more than 65 years ago in order to help African American students gain a college education. Since the time of its inception, this organization has assisted thousands of students with college tuition fees. Various famous people were helped by the United Negro College Fund including producer Spike Lee, author Ralph Ellison, and actor Samuel L. Jackson.

Through the efforts of Time Warner Inc., Essence Magazine, and the United Negro College Fund, female African American undergraduate students can now gain undergraduate financial assistance. The deadline for the Essence Scholars Program is October 15 of each year. Applications for this scholarship can be found on the UNCF’s website (www.uncf.org). To find out more about the Essence Scholars Program, contact the United Negro College Fund at: 1-800-331-2244. Alternately, the UNCF can be reached via post at this address:

8260 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive
P.O. Box 10444
Fairfax, VA 22031-8044

The Dr. Julianne Malveaux Scholarship is a scholarship that’s reserved for African American women who are currently enrolled in an accredited college or university. While there are numerous scholarships for women available, this particular scholarship is geared towards women studying within specific fields. Those who are eligible to apply for the Dr. Julianne Malveaux Scholarship must be studying journalism, economics, or fields related to economics and journalism.

For example, a student who is currently studying professional writing or political science may be eligible for this scholarship. In addition, all applicants must:

• Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Be a United States citizen
• Be studying at a sophomore or junior level
• Complete scholarship application on time
• Compose a 1000 word essay on the topic: “Your Career Plans and their Relevance to the Dr. Julianne Malveaux Program Theme: “Black Women’s Hands Can Rock the World.””

Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an active author, commentator, economist, and she is also the founder of Last Word Products, Inc. Presently, Dr. Malveaux is the President of Bennett College for Women, which has given her the opportunity to reach out to numerous African American women all over the globe. Those who wish to apply for the Dr. Julianne Malveaux Scholarship will do well to consider that Dr. Julianne Malveaux has been published in Essence Magazine, Progressive, USA Today, Black Issues in Higher Education, and Ms. Magazine.

Therefore, any essay submitted as part of the Dr. Julianne Malveaux Scholarship application should be well-versed, thought provoking, and truly unique. Every application is hand-read, and all applicants are hand-picked by a thorough scholarship committee.

Thousands of African American women apply for this particular scholarship every year, though only a handful of applicants are rewarded with this prestigious scholarship. Thus, every last application detail must be perfect, and any application that is incomplete will not be considered by the scholarship panel.

Out of all the scholarships for women offered by various organizations, the Dr. Julianne Malveaux Scholarship is extremely popular. This award is given in the amount of $1000 that can be applied to academic tuition fees. African American women seeking to gain a large amount of scholarship money should consider applying to various scholarships, since this is often the best way to ensure scholarship money from, at least, one source.

All applications must be submitted by March 1^st of each year. Application forms can be found on The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. website (www.nanbpwc.org). This application should be submitted entirely only, though supplemental materials can be submitted through the post. The address for the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. is:

NANBPWC, Inc.
1806 New Hampshire Ave, N.W.
Washington, DC 20009

Current female African American high school students who have a GPA of 3.0 or better should consider applying for The National Scholarship. This scholarship is offered to African American teenage girls by The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs Inc.

Free scholarships, such as this one, award high school students who have taken the time to gain excellent academic standing. The National Scholarship program is available for any current African American high school student who wishes to attend an accredited college or university.

As with most free scholarships, in order to meet eligibility requirements for The National Scholarship, applicants must follow careful guidelines. Neglecting to follow these guidelines precisely can lead to a disregarded application. All applicants must submit:

• Two letters of recommendation
• One detailed 300 word essay
• Current high school transcripts

The National Scholarship program is slightly more complex than other scholarships, since this application process must be followed precisely. One letter of recommendation must be from a high school guidance counselor, while the other letter of recommendation must be written by an English, science, or math teacher. In addition, the essay that must be included in this application should answer the question “Why Is Education Important to Me?”

The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs mission is to encourage young African American women to enter the business world by assisting with financial matters. Through offering scholarships, connecting young business women with community organizations, and promoting African American development, these clubs play a large role in providing free scholarships for African American women.

Many African American high school students apply for The National Scholarship yearly, though only a handful of these students receive funds through this program. All applications must be received by March 1^st of each year, and applicants must be seniors in high school when applying for this scholarship. While many scholarships that are available to high school students are not solely based upon an applicant’s grade point average (GPA), this particular scholarship places a great deal of emphasis upon an applicant’s educational standing.

Thus, applicants who wish to gain funds from The National Scholarship should work towards a high GPA. In addition, it is important that all applicants form strong relationships with a high school counselor as well as a high school principal. The National Scholarship is one that tests a student’s eagerness to learn though scrutinizing the academic work of all applicants.

Unlike many other scholarships, it is not necessary to send in an application for The National Scholarship through regular mail. Instead, the application for The National Scholarship can be found directly on The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs website (www.nanbpwc.org). Alternately, applicants can find out more about this scholarship by contacting the clubs at: 202-483-4206. Application packages send via post should be sent through registered mail only (to avoid lost applications). The postal address for The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs Inc. is as follows:

NANBPWC, Inc.
1806 New Hampshire Ave, N.W.
Washington, DC 20009

While there aren’t a lot of scholarships for single mothers available within the United States, the Dr. Wynetta A. Frazier “Sister to Sister” scholarship is one of the most sought after. This scholarship is awarded to mature (30 years or older) single black women who do not have the support of a spouse or family.

Since many black women must drop out of school in order to attend to children or other family members, the Sister to Sister scholarship can make a world of difference for those who wish to go back to school. The scholarship (in the amount of $500) is awarded to two women each year who have demonstrated a need for scholastic assistance.

Originally, the Sister to Sister scholarship was designed for single mothers by Dr. Wynetta A. Frazier. Dr. Frazier spent her life working with children and single parents as the Assistant Director of Early Childhood Research and Intervention at the University of Illinois. In addition to helping children and families, Dr. Frazier also organized the National Hook-Up of Black Women.

Those who wish to apply for the Sister to Sister scholarship must meet the following criteria:

• Be a returning student who left the academic realm for family-related reasons
• Demonstrate a strong desire to return to academic studies
• Show a readiness to enter college anew

In order to be considered for the Sister to Sister scholarship, applicants must also:

• Have a letter of acceptance from an accredited college or university
• Be 30 years of age or older
• Prepare a 300 to 500 word essay
• Have valid school transcripts that demonstrate a re-acceptance into a college program

All applications must include:

• A color photo
• A letter of acceptance
• Two letters of recommendation
• Proof of social activities and commitments
• A typed 300-500 word essay

All applications must be submitted by February of each year according to scholarship deadline details. Those who are interested in applying for the Sister to Sister scholarship can write to the National Hook-Up of Black Women at:

NHBW Scholarship Committee

3412 Blue Jay Drive

Tallahassee, FL 32305

Alternately, the National Hook-Up of Black Women website (www.nhbwinc.com) may contain additional information as to the application process, deadlines, and application forms. Education for single mothers is not impossible with the help of scholarships such as the Sister to Sister scholarship.

Even though many black women often double as single mothers, education is still within reach. Through organizations such as the National Hook-Up of Black Women, scholarships specifically designed to help single mothers are within reach. Those who follow application requirements precisely will have the best chance of receiving the Sister to Sister scholarship.

African American women who are not single mothers should also contact the National Hook-Up of Black Women, since this organization also offers other scholarships. Further, this organization frequently helps black women find scholarship through other organizations, and the National Hook-Up of Black Women as a whole is an excellent source for various African American endeavors.

The Dr. Arnita Young Boswell Scholarship is awarded to various female African American freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior students who are presently enrolled in an accredited and recognized university or college. Applicants do not have to be enrolled in any specific program, and any course of study will be considered by the scholarship board. Approximately 10 Dr. Arnita Young Boswell scholarships are awarded to women across the United States each year, and this is one of the most popular scholarships for African American students available.

Competition for the Dr. Anita Young Boswell Scholarship can be fierce, though students who demonstrate academic excellence will have a very good chance of gaining this scholarship. As far as African American women scholarships go, the application process for this scholarship is not overly demanding. Still, applicants must make sure to write a comprehensive and in-depth essay in order to be considered for the Dr. Arnita Young Boswell scholarship.

The requirements for the Dr. Arnita Young Boswell scholarship include:

• One Essay
• Three Letters of Recommendation

The essay that accompanies an application should express an aptitude for social commitment, direct involvement in the African American community, and a passion for education. Likewise, the letters of recommendation included in this application should be written by those who know the application best on an academic (and personal) level.

Since Dr. Arnita Young Boswell was a founder of the National Hook-Up of Black Women, this scholarship is awarded to students by the National-Hook Up of Black Women. In addition to helping this organization gain ground, Dr. Boswell also helped create Chicago’s League of Black Women and the Woman’s Board of the Chicago Urban League.

Dr. Boswell lived and worked for the education and rights of African American women. She started her career as a professor of social work at the University of Chicago, and she also played an active part in various women’s civil rights demonstrations orchestrated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In short, Dr. Arnita Young Boswell was heavily influential when it came to the lives of African American women, and her presence is still around today in the form of the scholarship that bears her name.

While there are various scholarships for African American students available, the Dr. Arnita Young Boswell scholarship is one of the most prestigious. Students who qualify for this scholarship are eligible for a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $1000. Not only can this scholarship be used for any academic endeavor, it is also renewable each year. For academically minded African American women, scholarships such as this one are well worth looking into. The Dr. Arnita Young Boswell scholarship deadline is in February of each year.

To gain more information about the Dr. Arnita Young Boswell Scholarship, contact the National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc at: 777.667.7061. Or, visit the site’s website at: www.nhbwinc.com. Applications can be completed online or by sending a complete application package to:

Scholarship Committee
National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc.
1809 East 71st. Street, Suite 205
Chicago, IL 60649