Scholarships
For more than three decades the CBCF in partnership with CBC Spouses has awarded scholarships to talented and deserving students. Each year, we award more than 300 scholarships to students that demonstrate leadership ability through exemplary community service and academic talent. Our scholarship programs support current or upcoming college students across a variety of disciplines.
The Ally Financial Law Scholars
Open Date: November 25, 2024
Close Date: March 15, 2025
Established in 2021 and provides financial assistance to students pursuing a law degree. This scholarship award seeks to minimize the debt of higher education that plagues scholars after their completion of the professional degree program, with a goal of increasing the number of highly qualified and competitive law professionals entering the workforce. Ally is committed to reducing barriers to economic mobility and fostering financial and social inclusion.
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CBCF Reducing the Financial Barrier Scholarship (need-based)
Open Date: November 25, 2024
Close Date: March 15, 2025
This scholarship opportunity awards academically talented and highly motivated African American or Black scholars to reduce the financial barrier to a college degree for low-income students. The Federal Student Aid Report will be used to verify financial need based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), to include income, family size and number of family members enrolled in higher academic institutions.
Apply HereCBC Spouses Education Scholarship
Open Date: December 9, 2024
Close Date: March 29, 2025
This scholarship was established in 1988 by the spouses of Congressional Black Caucus members to address the educational need in the congressional districts in response to federal cuts in spending for education programs and scholarships, which disproportionately affect people of color. This opportunity awards scholarships to academically talented and highly motivated African-American or Black students pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degrees in a variety of fields.
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CBC Spouses Essay Contest
Open Date: December 9, 2024
Close Date: March 29, 2025
Each year, qualified African-American and Black junior and senior high school students participate in the Essay Contest and Issue Forum. Students are presented with a topic that embodies some of our communities’ most pressing issues and are asked to write an essay to defend their research, analyses, and opinion. Submissions are judged by a special committee of CBC Spouses.
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CBC Spouses Performing Arts Scholarship
Open Date: November 25, 2024
Close Date: March 15, 2025
This scholarship was established in 2000, in honor of the late Curtis Mayfield to ensure that African American or Black students pursuing a degree in the performing arts receive financial assistance. Performing arts include theater, drama, comedy, music, dance, opera, marching bands, etc.
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CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship
Open Date: November 25, 2024
Close Date: March 15, 2025
This scholarship was established in 2006 to provide financial assistance to African American or Black students pursuing a degree in the visual arts. Visual arts include architecture, ceramics, drawing, fashion, graphic design, illustration, interior design, painting, photography, sketching, video production, etc.
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HBCU NREI Scholarship
Open Date: November 25, 2024
Close Date: March 15, 2025
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s National Racial Equity Initiative for Social Justice (NREI) HBCU Social Justice Scholarships were created to encourage and recognize necessary student exposure, experience, and engagement in organizing, political mobilization, and civic participation aimed at advancing equity, freedom, and justice for all, especially the Black community and racial minorities. The funds will be disbursed on an annual basis to undergraduate students attending Historically Black Colleges or Universities with demonstrated experience in social justice, student activism, and/or community service.
Apply Here FAQsThe Tracking Foundation Multi-Year Scholarship Program
Open Date: November 25, 2024
Close Date: March 15, 2025
The Tracking Foundation Scholarship Program awards academically talented and highly motivated African-American or Black students pursuing an undergraduate degree in all discipline areas. This scholarship is renewed on a yearly basis up to 4 years, upon meeting the renewal requirements.
Apply Here FAQsThe Tracking Foundation Scholars Scholarship Program
Open Date: November 25, 2024
Close Date: March 15, 2025
The Tracking Foundation Scholars Scholarship awards academically talented and highly motivated full-time African-American or Black scholars pursuing a graduate or doctoral degree in all discipline areas.
Apply Here FAQsThe Ally Financial Public Policy Scholars
Open Date: November 25, 2024
Close Date: March 15, 2025
Established in 2021 and provides financial assistance to rising college juniors and seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in public policy. This scholarship award seeks to minimize the debt of higher education with a goal of increasing participation in the areas public policy, economic development, and civic engagement. Ally is committed to reducing barriers to economic mobility and fostering financial and social inclusion.
Apply Here FAQsBob Marley: One Love Social Impact Scholarship
Open Date: April 1, 2024
Close Date: April 30, 2024
The Bob Marley: One Love Social Impact Scholarships will support 10 rising sophomore, junior and senior students pursing degrees in community organizing, nonprofit management, public policy, or social justice related degree programs with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applicants must be enrolled at one of the following academic institutions: Bowie State University, Clark Atlanta University, Dillard University, Florida A&M University, Hampton University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University, Spelman College, Texas Southern University, and Xavier University of Louisiana.
Apply HerePlease visit our FAQ page for details on applying for our scholarships. For general information, contact scholarships@cbcfinc.org or 202-263-2800.
Please note: Immediate relatives (defined as one’s parents, step-parents, siblings, spouse, children, step-children, foster children, in-laws, sibling in-laws, grandparents, great grandparents, step-great grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews) of a CBC Member, a CBC Spouse, a staff person of a CBC Member or Spouse, CBCF staff, a member of the CBCF Board of Directors, Member of CBCF, Corporate Advisory Council Member of CBCF, or any CBCF-sponsoring entity are not eligible for CBCF scholarship programs.
It is truly an honor to be recognized for my hard work and community service…My legacy is one that will be measured by lifelong learning and a burning desire to serve humanity through the development and deliverance of ‘lifesaving’ medicines that are both safe and affordable, improving the quality of life for people around the world…I continue to use the knowledge that I have acquired leading towards a successful future. This could not have happened without the support from the CBC Spouses Education Scholarship. My testimony is sincere when I say it transformed my life and hope this wonderful scholarship continues as I know it will have an impact on the lives of so many students.
Leslie Fuqua—CBC Spouses Education Scholarship recipient, 2012 and 2013