For every student who is applying for college scholarships to supplement the ever-increasing cost of college tuition, it is vital to establish the things that make you a unique scholarship applicant. Students should consider their family background, special skills and talents, religious affiliations, and gender when researching scholarship opportunities. There are so many scholarship opportunities out there that many deserving applicants can claim. For example, there are a significant number of scholarships available for African-American female scholarship applicants.
One of these scholarship opportunities is the Essence Scholars Program. This scholarship is an exceptional opportunity for African-American female college students sponsored by Essence Magazine. Eligible applicants are college sophomores or juniors attending an accredited college or university. It is important to note that accredited colleges include those who are part of the United Negro College Fund.
The United Negro College Fund was created as a way to help high-achieving African-American college students achieve their college dreams by funding their education and assisting with tuition and fees. All applicants to the Essence Scholars Program must have knowledge and an understanding of the United Negro College Fund.
Eligible applicants must also demonstrate financial need through the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Additionally, candidates must have at least a 3.0 grade point average. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a commitment to their educational goals as well as an understanding of the African-American culture. Eligible applicants must apply through the United Negro College Fund website by October 15th each year. Five female African-American students will receive scholarships each year for up to $10,000.
There are also a number of scholarship opportunities for nontraditional college applicants or current students who may be pursuing their degrees at varying stages of their lives. The Dr. Wynetta A. Frazier “Sister to Sister” Scholarship is an example of one of these available scholarship opportunities. The scholarship rewards African-American single mothers with financial assistance to pursue their college goals. A former employee of the University of Illinois, Dr. Frazier was instrumental in providing assistance for single mothers and their children in her role as the Assistant Director of Early Childhood Research and Intervention. The scholarship was designed to continue to help these women.
Eligible applicants must be at least 30 years old and be a returning college student who had to leave university previously to deal with various family issues. They must have transcripts from their university proving that they have been re-admitted to the program. In addition to standard scholarship application requirements like recommendation letters and a demonstration of community and extracurricular involvement, candidates must also complete a 300-500-word essay. Applications are due every February. Each year, the Dr. Wynetta A. Frazier “Sister to Sister” program will award $500 scholarships to two deserving applicants.
A final scholarship for which African-American women are eligible for is the Dr. Anita Young Boswell Scholarship. This is an extremely well-known scholarship as it honors Dr. Arnita Young Boswell who helped to found important organizations such as the Women’s Board of the Chicago Urban League, Chicago’s League of Black Women, and the National Hook-Up of Black Women in addition to working alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for women’s civil rights.
Eligible applicants are female African-American college students. They may be freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Applicants must provide a bit more than the usual scholarship application materials, including letters of recommendation from three people who can speak to the applicant’s success and deserving qualities. Additionally, applicants must write an essay that demonstrates a number of their qualifications as a deserving scholarship recipient. The topics they must address in their essay include their involvement in the African-American commitment, their demonstrated dedication to working towards their college goals, as well as their obvious commitment and dedication to public service and volunteerism in their communities.
All applicants must apply for the scholarship through the National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc. They may apply either online or via mail. There are ten recipients of the Dr. Arnita Young Boswell scholarship each year, and recipients can receive between $500 and $1,000 to assist with their college tuition and fees. An additional and significant perk to this scholarship is that the award is renewable for each year of their collegiate studies.
By doing extensive research and focusing on their unique and individual qualities, those interested in applying for college scholarships will be able to find a wealth of opportunities for which they are eligible. Every bit of scholarship money can make a significant impact when pursuing your collegiate dreams.