Blacks have traditionally been marginalized in higher education. According to the latest census data, racial disparities in academic achievement are astounding, with black students getting approximately half as many bachelors and postgraduate degrees as white students. According to a comparable study, economic and financial constraints have a role in this disparity.

The percentage of black, Hispanic, and Asian children classified as low-income, poor, or extremely poor outnumbers their white peers by a wide margin. These findings highlight the necessity of promoting diversity in higher education, particularly in psychology. Today, the degree is as prominent as ever, with minority college graduates in psychology receiving more scholarships.

Prospective psychology students who are African American, Latino/a, Asian American, Native American, or undocumented may be eligible for financial assistance privileges available to students from comparable ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Federal financial aid, fellowships, grants, loans, and work-study programs are available to psychology students. Many programs favor minority students who intend to give back to their communities after graduation. We have put together the top 10 psychology scholarships for black students. If you come under this category, this list will be handy for you. 

1. ASA Minority Fellowship program since 

its inception in 1974, the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) has funded over 460 students of color pursuing a doctorate in sociology. Social psychology, gender and sexual orientation, schooling, medicine and health, disparities and divisions, race and ethnicity, and other topics of interest to Scholars. MFP is looking for excellent doctorate candidates to guarantee that a broad and well-trained workforce is ready to take on leadership roles and carry out research important to today’s global community. Former MFP fellows have moved on to become presidents of the American Sociological Association, outstanding academics, award-winning scholars and teachers, and significant social scientists in government, non-profits, and companies. This is a wonderful opportunity for black students to finance their studies in psychology. Applicants must participate in a graduate sociology program that leads to a Ph.D Majors in psychological research are also available. Candidates must be members of a minority community and be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, lawful permanent residents, or DACA recipients.

Provided By: ASA
Amount: 18,000 USD
Deadline: January 31st
Education: Undergraduate
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2. The Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship

The Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship is named after Agnes Jones Jackson, a long-time volunteer of the NAACP’s San Francisco branch.POISE Foundation has been providing scholarship management for the National NAACP Scholarship Program for many years. Through effective management, communal giving, grantmaking, and campaigning, this organization’s aim is to support the Black community in reaching self-sustaining practices. POISE, which was established in the style of a Community Hub, obtains contributions from a wide range of sources. These funds could be discretionary and used to promote the foundation’s grantmaking approach, or they could be donor-directed and utilized for specified charitable goals. Applicants must be active NAACP members, residents of the United States, and under the age of 25. Applicants must be registered in or accepted to a college or institution in the United States. Students must also have a minimum GPA of 2.5 (for high school seniors and undergraduates) or 3.0 (for graduate students) (graduate students). Each year, the NAACP’s Poise Foundation awards 20 to 40 deserving students.

Provided By: NAACP
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Education: Undergraduate
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3. The Stephen C. Rose Scholarship for Psychology Research on African American Youth

The Stephen C. Rose Scholarship for Psychology Research on African American Youth is offered by the Organization of Black Psychologists. This scholarship was funded by The Steve Fund in honor of Stephen C. Rose, who had an interest in psychology and earned a doctorate degree in it. Its goal is to stimulate and promote study on the psychological issues that African American kids face. This is an area of research that requires further attention, especially given the harmful effects of social issues like racism on the psychological health of African American kids. This prize was created by the Steve Fund in honor of Stephen’s ability to inspire everyone who knew him. Stephen was a courageous, determined, and compassionate young African American man who lived his life with bravery, drive, and empathy. Because he was deeply concerned about the well-being of others, his family and friends established this fund to improve the psychological and spiritual well-being of young people of color.

Provided By: Organization of Black Psychologists
Amount: 1000 USD
Deadline: yet to be updated
Education: Undergraduate
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4. SAGE Student Research Scholarship

Sage provides more than $19 million in financial aid to students based on their financial needs or unique features. Sage also gives out merit scholarships that range from $15,000 to $21,000 every year. Students are automatically deemed for merit scholarships when they apply for admittance to Sage; there is no need to submit an additional petition. The scholarships are renewable as long as the student is enrolled full-time and maintains satisfactory academic standing as outlined in the undergraduate section. Candidates must do a study on African American psychology that has the potential to reveal public policy. The chances of a paper being accepted in a peer-reviewed journal or industry journal should be high. Applicants must be ABPsi members. A travel stipend is provided to winners in addition to a cash prize to attend the annual ABPsi conference. ABPsi may request that awardees provide a presentation about their study.

Provided By: SAGE
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Education: Undergraduate
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5. Arc of Washington Trust Fund

Since 1950, the Arc of Washington Trust Fund has had a strategy that supports improving the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). They keep funding research in Washington by investigators who are working to achieve the Trust Fund’s mission of “supporting research identifying issues that impact people with special needs, supporting programs enriching their lives, and supporting the support and learning of community members operating with the I/DD population.” They’re looking for grant proposals for the fiscal year 2022. Because the Arc Trust Fund is limited in comparison to other public funding mechanisms, younger investigators are given priority. There are two parts to the application procedure: a letter of interest and a grant application. Please visit the scholarship provider’s website for more information or to apply.

Provided By: ARC of Washington
Amount: Varies
Deadline: August 3rd
Education: Undergraduate
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6. Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship

Scholarships are available from the Jackie Robinson Foundation for Black high school students. Qualified students may receive up to $30,000 over the course of four years to help pay for their education. To be considered, you must be a senior in high school, a member of a minority community, demonstrate economic need, and have committed and loyal potential or civic participation. Students must provide copies of their standardized test scores, certificates, four essays, and character references with their application.

Provided By: Jack Robinson Foundation
Amount: Varies
Deadline: January 12th
Education: High School 
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7. Enterprise Holdings ROAD Forward Scholarship

The Enterprise Holdings ROAD Forward Scholarship Program provides financial aid to African-American high school students who are the first in their families to attend college. Students must intend to attend a United Negro College Fund member college to be eligible. Recipients can receive up to $12,222 in financial aid based on the financial requirement, academic performance, and a written essay. This scholarship is very popular among black students, so the competition will be high. So you have to make sure that your profile is on point before submitting the application. 

Provided By: Enterprise Holdings
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Yet to be Updated
Education: High School Graduate
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8. Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship Program

The Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship Program is one of the most well-known rewards for Black students. It gives two $10,000 grants every year to outstanding children enrolled in historically Black schools and institutions, one male and one female (HBCUs).

Students must be rising seniors at a recognized HBCU, have a minimum GPA of 3.5, demonstrate an unmet financial need that has been validated by their institution, and complete the FAFSA to be eligible.

Provided By: UNCF
Amount: 10,000 USD
Deadline: Varies
Education: High School Graduate
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9. NANBPWC Scholarship

In 1935, the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc. was established as a national non-profit organization to preserve and support the preferences of women business owners and experts. Their objective is to promote and safeguard the interests of African American academics and businesswomen, to serve as a link for young people interested in entering the workforce, in raising the standard of living in diverse communities, and in encouraging good fellowship. The NANBPWC National Scholarship, which is awarded to graduating seniors, varies in value from year to year. Students must have a 3.0 GPA or better and submit an essay on the year’s prompt to be considered.

Provided By: NANBPWC
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
Education: High School Graduate
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10. Ron Brown Scholarship

The Ron Brown Scholarship celebrates Ronald H. Brown’s legacy by providing a selective scholarship program that supports community-minded and academically brilliant African Americans in their pursuit of higher education.

RBSP awards 45 – 50 four-year $40,000 scholarships ($10,000 per year) to the most talented and economically disadvantaged high school seniors who show a strong interest in political service, civic engagement, business entrepreneurialism, and internationalization – the four cornerstones of the late Ronald H. Brown’s mission to uplift people of different ethnicities, civilizations, and ethnic groups – especially our disadvantaged youth.

Provided By: Ron Brown Scholar Program

Amount: 10,000 USD
Deadline: January 9th
Education: High School Graduate
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