African American Scholarships for Women

Summary: There are several organizations at various levels of business that strive to assist African American woman reach their financial goals. These organizations achieve this by providing scholarships and educational opportunities.

Many scholarships are tailor made for the African American woman. These scholarships can help any African American woman reach her goals of attending and graduating college.

The NCAA, or National Collegiate Athletic Association, is a governing body of college and university sports and athletics programs. This association sponsors scholarships for minority women through its Ethnic Minority and Women’s Enhancement Postgraduate Scholarships for Careers in Athletics program. This scholarship program is designed to increase the number of female and minority candidates in the different athletic events by providing financial assistance for those seeking to attend a college or university. To qualify for this scholarship program, candidates must be of color, female, and applying to graduate programs in the sports-related fields.

The Black Women in Sports Foundation funds several scholarships for women of African American descent. Their Madeline Kountze Dugger-Kelly Scholarship is awarded to black women currently enrolled in a graduate program who were previously active in undergraduate sports. Candidates are assessed based on their community service and personal character.

BISA, or Black Women in Sisterhood for Action, began in 1980 to assist African American women with education and career advancement. BISA assists African American women of disadvantaged backgrounds in obtaining an education so that they can in turn get a better career. The scholarships are awarded to those candidates who show exceptional leadership skills, academics, and career goals. BISA also can provide transportation, life coaching, and tutoring for those who are in its programs.

The National Black Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc. (NHBW) was established in 1973 to improve the lives of African American women and their families through charitable support of the arts, culture, health and human services. Every year, the NHBW funds scholarships through its Sister to Sister Scholarship program. Eligible candidates are minority women who are going back to college without financial assistance from a spouse or other family member. Scholarships are also available for black women who are graduating high school and moving on to pursue college degrees.

The Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey is a regional-based association that works to offer women scholarships to attend college within the New Jersey area. These women must be pursuing a law degree and be of African American descent.

The ABWP, or Association of Black Women Physicians is an organization that was founded in 1982. This association attempts to improve the health of the African American community through public outreach programs. This association offers the Rebecca Lee, MD scholarship which assists African American students who either reside in Southern California or attend school there, studying medicine All recipients are awarded this scholarship based upon academic standings, financial need, and community service projects.

Whether you are a minority woman looking to pursue an education in the liberal arts, medical sciences, justice system or athletic administration, there are many African American organizations striving to promote the advancement of black women through educational scholarships.