Education Grants for Minorities

Keywords: minority education grants, minority grants for education

Minority education grants are given to under-represented groups of students such as African American, Hispanic, Native American and Asian students based upon their financial needs. The majority of minority grants for education are provided by federal and state government sources although there are also private and public grants available as well as college and university endowments and grant programs. Programs also are related to specific industries or fields of study such as business, technology, engineering, math, science and medicine.

Categories for Minority Grants

There are two categories of minority grants: ethnic and non-ethnic. Ethnic minority grants provide financial assistance based on under-represented populations of students. The non-ethnic grants are based on physical challenges. Each grant program has different requirements that student must meet in order to receive the grant money.

Federal Grants

• Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant

The Pell Grant is awarded to students on a financial needs basis. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify for the Pell Grant and the FSEOG, which is given to students who demonstrate the most financial need. Deadlines to apply for FASA are June 30 each year, but you should check with your school because most schools have earlier deadlines. Pell Grants are free and do not have to be paid unless the student does not maintain the required academic standing.

Government minority grants are also award by subject matter such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for students who are pursuing careers in these high demand and critical areas in order to be able to compete in today’s workforce environment.

States and Colleges

States may also offer grants to residents in the state and have specific requirements to qualify. Individual school grants are another source for all students.

To qualify for individual school or state grants, factors such as income level and other financial aid sources may affect the amount of grant you qualify for. Check with your check financial aid office to find out more about the grant that may be available to you.

Corporations and Foundations

The following corporations and foundations offer grants to all qualified minority students:

• The Fellowship for Ethic Minorities offers grants through the American Society of Criminology to minority students for studies in the areas of law and criminal justice.
• Hyatt Hotels offers grants to minority students who are interested in Hospitality Management degree through their Hyatt Hotels Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students.
• College sophomores and juniors majoring in mathematics or science may qualify for the Barry Goldwater Scholarship Grant. Students must maintain an above average GPA. Other special consideration is given to students planning on pursuing advanced degrees in mathematics or science.
• The Ford Foundation offers a pre-doctoral fellowship for minority students who are interested in engineering, math or science careers.
• National Science Foundation offers awards through the Women in Engineering and Computer and Information Science Award to women who are enrolled in engineering, computer science, and math or science programs.
• Minorities and women in New York may also qualify for the Regent’s Healthcare Scholarship for Medicine and Dentistry. Residents may receive grant funds to attend medical or dental school. Also, students must apply to a program in New York and agree to work in a health care facility that provides care for underserved populations in that state.

African Americans

Opportunities available for African American students include:

• United Negro College Fund
• Frederick Douglass Scholars Program
• Mordecai Wyatt Johnson Program
• The National Black Nurses Association
• The March of Dimes Nursing Scholarships
• The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• The American Psychological Association’s minority fellowship program

Hispanic Americans

Opportunities available for Hispanic American students include:

• Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students Program
• Hispanic Nurses Association Grants and Scholarship program
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund Institute
• Jose Marti Challenge Grant
• Silicon Valley Scholarship
• Nursing Education Repayment program

Native Americans

Native Americans must show proof of their Certification of Indian Blood (CIB). They must also belong to a recognized Native American tribe. Opportunities for Native Americans students include:

• Indian Adult Education
• Minority Science and Engineering Improvement
• Diabetes Prevention and Treatment Project (for Indians with diabetes)
• Tribal Colleges Education Equity Grants

Asian Americans

Opportunities for Asian-American students include the following:

• Luisa Malaria Fellowship, which gives students the opportunity to study abroad.
• Asian-American Federation of New York
• Southeast Asian Studies Regional Exchange Program
• Association for Asian Studies and the Asian-American Journalist Association.

Graduate Students

Opportunities for minority graduate students include:

• Cornell University Graduate School Fellowship for Minorities
• American Indian Graduate Fellowships
• National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science, Inc.

Students are encouraged to apply early for all grants in order to increase their approval chances. For more information, students should check with their Student Financial Aid Office.