Scholarships
Each year we offer need-based and merit scholarships to outstanding and qualified Black students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees as part of our Inspire Initiatives program. Through the generosity of our donors, we advance efforts to ensure equity in educational opportunity that prepares students for success in school, work, and life.
Our scholarships range in award amount, academic interests, and age. Whether you are a graduating high school senior or early in your professional career, we are pleased to provide financial opportunities and recognition to assist with collegiate and post-educational endeavors. Please be sure to review individual scholarship eligibility requirements and deadlines.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a member of the NAACP. If you are not a member of the NAACP, join today.
- Be African American or a person of color.
- Be currently enrolled full-time or accepted to an accredited college or university in the U.S.
- Be a graduating high school senior, undergraduate student, or graduate student for applicable scholarships.
- Possess a grade point average of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 system.
- Demonstrate interest in a relevant field of study where applicable. For additional information, see the scholarship you are applying for.
SCHOLARSHIP TIMELINE
Scholarship applications open on May 1 and close June 2, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. Recipients will be announced in the Summer of 2024.
Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship
The Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship is one of many funding opportunities available to Black students through NAACP's Inspire Initiatives. The Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship honors the late Agnes Jones Jackson who was a long-time NAACP member from the San Francisco branch. This is a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.
Find more information, including guidelines, on the Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship.
Building Beautiful Futures Scholarship Powered by Dark & Lovely
The Building Beautiful Futures Scholarship, powered by Dark & Lovely, is one of many funding opportunities available through NAACP's Inspire Initiatives to Black female students and female students of color interested in pursuing careers in STEAM or graphic design. This is a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.
Find more information, including guidelines, on the Building Beautiful Futures Scholarship Powered by Dark & Lovely.
Empowering a Better Tomorrow Scholarship Powered By Walmart
The Empowering a Better Tomorrow Scholarship, powered by Walmart, is intended to assist in the creation of a pathway for those who desire to further their education as they enter back into society. This scholarship will be available to the formerly incarcerated or those who have recently been convicted and who have completed their sentence. This scholarship will be awarded to individuals that can exhibit qualities of leadership, commitment to change, and desire to give back to their community. This is a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.
Find more information, including guidelines, on the Empowering A Better Tomorrow Scholarship Powered By Walmart.
JAMES WELDON JOHNSON Scholarship
James Weldon Johnson Scholarship powered by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. is one of many funding opportunities available to Black students through NAACP's Inspire Initiatives. This scholarship is open to all students of color who will matriculate full-time enrollment at an accredited academic institution in the Fall of 2024. This is a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.
Find more information, including guidelines, on the James Weldon Johnson Scholarship.
Hubertus W. V. Willems Scholarship
The Hubertus W. V. Willems Scholarship is one of many funding opportunities available to Black male students interested in pursuing a career in the fields of engineering, chemistry, physics, and/or mathematical sciences through NAACP's Inspire Initiatives. This is a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.
Find more information, including guidelines, on the Hubertus W. V. Willems Scholarship.
The ED DWIGHT SCHOLARSHIP
The Ed Dwight Scholarship honors Ed Dwight, a trailblazer in the American space program, who is also an author and sculptor. Ed was the first Black astronaut candidate; in addition to being the first to enter the program, he completed the training and was fully qualified as an astronaut. This is a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.
Find more information, including guidelines, on the Ed Dwight Scholarship.
The NAACP Creative Sole Scholarship powered by Vans
The NAACP Creative Sole Scholarship powered by Vans is awarded annually to students majoring in creative fields including art, architecture, journalism, music, communications, design, marketing, and photography. This is a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.
Find more information, including guidelines, on the NAACP Creative Sole Scholarship, powered by Vans.
The NAACP X Society Awards Scholarship
The NAACP x Society Awards Scholarship is awarded to students interested in pursuing a career in the visual/performing arts field including film, theatre, fashion, photography, graphic design, dance, music, journalism, and mass communications. We will award three scholarships totaling $8,000 to recipients with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Find more information, including guidelines, on the NAACP x Society Awards Scholarship.
Write YOUR Future Scholarship powered by Lancôme
The Write Your Future Scholarship powered by Lancôme is one of many funding opportunities available to Black students and students of color through the NAACP Inspire Initiatives. This scholarship is intended for Black students and students of color, who identify as female, pursuing an undergraduate degree. This is a non-renewable scholarship opportunity.
The applicant must be a graduating high school senior enrolling in a 4-year tax-exempt academic institution, an NAACP member and a registered ACT-SO program participant.
Find more information, including guidelines, on the Write Your Future Scholarship powered by Lancôme.
Get To Know Some Of Our Scholarship Awardees
Mikyah M. - Building Beautiful Futures Scholarship Recipient
"My proposed career path is being an orthodontist. When I got my aligners during my senior year of high school, my life changed! I was able to have perfect teeth without the expensive, troubling process of metal braces within a matter of months. As an orthodontist, my dream is to create beautiful smiles for children, teens, and adults because everyone should feel confident and proud of their own smiles."
Shakir B. - Empowering Imagination Scholarship Recipient
"The challenge of enhancing my leadership skills absorbs me and has evolved over time because of the education I've received so far. It is what transforms each of us into better people. Leading by example to continue my education will encourage others in my family and community to better themselves."
Jada K. - GRIT Scholarship Recipient
"As I've matured, philosophy has allowed me to retain my childlike curiosity about the world and life. When practicing it, I'm free to question everything and not be haunted by the unknown. Nothing compares to the joy I feel when philosophy provides me a new perspective on life."
Calvin B. - Happy Day Scholarship Recipient
"I continuously explore the intersection between political research and computer science because I am interested in how they can unite to positively impact the lives of minorities in urban communities. While being mindful of the bias that technology carries, we can utilize its means for job creation and city innovation."
Nadia D. - Katherine McIntyre Scholarship Recipient
"Ever since I discovered theatre I have always been excited about learning. The experiential, the intellectual, and the metaphysical are all combined to create fantastic worlds on the stage. I earned an undergraduate degree in it, and I'm still diving back in to learn more. The amazing thing about engaging with theatre is that the work is never over. Whether you've been doing it for a year or 50 years, there always something new to discover."
Daniel S. - Creative Sole Scholarship Recipient
"I believe the most significant challenge we face now is the very harsh reality of hate and racism that we face in our country. As in recent years, it has become blunter, causing tensions to be high and more. As well as having the understanding that everyone doesn't have the same opportunities and being able to embrace the diversity that we have in our country. Putting forth and creating programs to help our society as a whole, understanding the harsh history but also working to make things right."