Minority Scholarships and Grants

Minority Scholarships and Grants

Minority scholarships are plentiful and available to most since eligibility requirements are so varied. These scholarships are well funded by corporations and organizations that would like to see more equality in their communities, and they are willing to provide the funds to ensure success in this area. Major minority groups are usually categorized as ethnic, women, or disabled, and students may apply if they fall into one, two or all of these groups. However, some others are more specific, for instance those that are offered to students of Polish descent. These categories often have sub-categories of specific fields of study, for instance if a certain minority group is not well represented in computer science, a specific scholarship will be offered to that group for that career path. If you search you should be able to find scholarships that will fit your specific needs. Every year scholarships are not awarded because no one applied for them. Below are listed only a few of the possibilities out there – if you don’t find what you are looking for here, continue your search and apply!

Scholarships for Ethnic Minorities

AICPA Minority Accounting Students

Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, and Asian American are ethnic groups that are currently greatly under-represented in the accounting field. Therefore, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants has established the Scholarship for Minority Accounting Students to encourage deserving students to pursue this career path. If you would like more information about this program, go online.

ASA Fellowship Program

If you are a minority student with a strong interest in mental health and mental illness, and you have decided to pursue a doctoral degree in sociology – either just beginning or in the early stages of your graduate program – you may qualify for this scholarship. The Minority Fellowship Program seeks students applying to or currently enrolled where there is an emphasis on mental health research, and/or where the faculty actively conducts research. Other eligibility requirements include a record of high academic achievement, ability to write well, financial need, research potential, and racial/ethnic minority background. If you would like more information about this fellowship, visit HERE.

Scholarships for Women

Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP)

This program was designed to help formerly battered women get an education that will make them self-sufficient, help them find employment, and lead to their personal independence. Single mothers who have daycare and housing costs are a priority since they carry the greatest financial burden. If you see yourself in this category, don’t hesitate to go to our website for more eligibility and application details at: wispinc.org.

Jeannette Rankin Foundation

If you are a woman who is 35 years of age or older, and you’ve decided to break out of your low-income job by pursuing an associates degree, your first bachelor’s degree, or if you plan to attend a vocational or technical school, this scholarship just might be your ticket to the future. Rankin Scholars must use funds awarded at specified accredited schools and institutions. If you would like more information about this program, visit the website: www.rankinfoundation.org.

American Association of University Women Career Development Grants

The AAUW has long supported further education for all women. These particular grants, however, address women of color, with bachelor’s degrees, who have decided to go back to school to further their current careers, change career fields, or return to the workplace. Grant amounts vary from $2,000 to $12,000 each. Selection priority is given to women pursuing their first advanced degree or credentialing in a non-traditional field for women, or to women interested in technical or professional fields who intend to pursue a master’s degree, a second bachelor’s degree, or specialized training to prepare them to work in those areas. If you would like further information, you can find more specific details, on the website.

Accounting Scholarships for Women in Transition

If you are a woman who is the sole provider of support for your family due to divorce or death of your spouse, you may qualify for one of these generous scholarships. This is a 4-year scholarship totaling $16,000. Personal circumstances other than those noted above may also be considered. If you would like to find out more and see if you qualify for this award, go to the website.

Google Anita Borg Memorial

This scholarship was created to encourage excellence in female university seniors and graduate students majoring in computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related area of study in a technical field. Each scholarship is in the amount of $10,000, but all finalists receive an award of $1,000. In addition, all scholarship recipients and finalists are invited to attend a 3-day retreat at Google featuring social events, networking, workshops, and breakout sessions. Selection of recipients is based on academic achievement and the student’s individual leadership qualities.
For more information, visit HERE.

Click HERE for more opportunities!

Scholarships for the Disabled

SpinLife ‘Innovation in Motion’ Scholarship Program

In recognition of SpinLife being the national leader in mobility equipment, their company offers one $500 scholarship each year to a manual or power wheelchair user enrolled in an undergraduate program at an accredited 4-year university. Academic eligibility requirement is a minimum 3.0 GPA. Scholarship recipient is featured on the scholarship website for the year. To find out more, go to the website.

Sertoma Scholarships for Hearing Impaired Students

The Sertoma service organization presents multiple $1,000 scholarships each year to students who have clinically significant bilateral hearing loss. The recipients must attend school in the U.S. in pursuit of their bachelor’s degrees, and freshmen are eligible. The academic requirement is at least a 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale. If you are interested in learning more about this award, eligibility requirements, and application requirements, check out the website.

American Council of the Blind Scholarship

If you are legally blind, and have been accepted for study at an accredited university, college, or vocational school, you may be eligible for one of over two dozen scholarships given by the ACB each year. Consideration is also given to blind undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a career in service to people with disabilities. If you would like more information regarding these scholarships, you will find more details at: www.acb.org.