These Scholarship Opportunities for Black Students are Worth Up to $8,200

African American college student working on a laptop on some stairs
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Here at The Penny Hoarder, we like to help people find ways to make and save money — especially when it comes to the ever-rising cost of college.  

So, since this is a month for celebrating black history, education and achievements, we’ve dug up a list of scholarships open now specifically to black students. Read on for specifics — and for a resource that will help you find even more opportunities like these!).

5 Scholarships for Black Students to Apply for Now

Check out the following scholarship opportunities that are open for entry now!

2019 Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Award

This scholarship, from the ACA, is awarded to minority nominees who have a demonstrated need and are planning to pursue a degree in the criminal justice field.

Open to: Nominees must be accepted to (or currently attending) an undergraduate program at a four-year college.

How to enter: Winners must be nominated to receive this award. (Nominees do not need to be ACA members, but the person nominating them does). To nominate a student for this award, follow the instructions outlined here.

Number of winners selected: Not stated

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: All nominations must be received by June 1, 2018

The CBC Spouses Education Scholarship

This scholarship is provided by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. It is for full-time  students of all majors who are currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited university or college.

Open to: U.S. students currently enrolled, or who plan to be enrolled, for the upcoming academic year.

How to enter: Fill out the application here. You’ll need to include a good bit of information and attachments (including a resume and transcript), so don’t wait until the last minute.

Number of winners selected: Not stated

Amount: Between $500 – $8,200 (amounts vary)

Deadline: May 18, 2018

To find out more about this award and see the official guidelines, go here.

CBC Spouses Performing Arts Scholarship

This scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students studying the performing arts including (but certainly not limited to) drama, dance, music and opera.

Open to: U.S. students currently enrolled or planning to enroll for the upcoming school year as a full-time undergraduate student

How to enter: Fill out the application here. Again, this application requires a good bit of work, so don’t wait.

Number of winners selected: Not listed

Amount: $3,000

Deadline: April 20, 2018

To find out more about this award and see the official guidelines, go here.

CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship

This scholarship is for full-time undergraduate students studying the visual arts, which could include anything from architecture and ceramics to graphic design.

Open to: U.S. students currently enrolled or planning to enroll for the upcoming school year as a full-time undergraduate student

How to enter: Fill out the application here.

Number of winners selected: Not listed

Amount: $3,000

Deadline: April 20, 2018

To find out more about this award and see the official guidelines, go here.

2018 Black History Month Contest

To celebrate Black History Month, Florida Governor Rick Scott and wife Ann are hosting an art and essay contest. The theme for this year’s contest is “A Celebration of Innovative African-American Leaders.”

Open to: Grade K-12 students living in Florida

How to enter: Grades K-3 will create original artwork expressing this year’s theme. The varying entry requirements for grades 4-12 can be found here.

Number of winners selected: Three winners will be selected from the grades 4-12 essay division. Two winners will be selected from the K-3 art division, and will be invited to attend the Black History Month celebration in Tallahassee.

Amount: Exact amount unknown, but each of the three winners in the grades 4-12 division will receive a four-year Florida College Plan scholarship

Deadline: All entries must be submitted by 5 p.m. EST on March 2, 2018

To read the official rules and find out more information, visit the contest’s website.

Find Even More Scholarship Opportunities

Because we wanted to be timely by rounding up scholarship opportunities with current entry periods, we weren’t able to mention the many more contests and opportunities specifically for black students.

If you‘re still on the hunt for awesome scholarship opportunities, there’s an expansive scholarship database you can search through on Scholarships.com.

Grace Schweizer is a junior writer at The Penny Hoarder.