There are many scholarships and grants designed specifically for minority applicants. Below, we’ve compiled a list of six of these scholarships. Some of these awards also focus on certain characteristics, such as an interest in marketing or STEM fields. Read the descriptions below and set aside some time to submit your applications before the corresponding deadlines. Remember, every scholarship awarded will reduce your out-of-pocket cost and help ease your mind as you plan for college.

Saatchi Diversity Scholarship

How to Apply: Complete the online application and upload a video to YouTube of 3 minutes or less that showcases your talent and why you would be good in creative, production, strategy, or marketing analytics.
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident who is a full-time student at an accredited four-year university, two-year community college, portfolio school, or art school with African-American/Black American, Indigenous American, Asian-American/Pacific Islander, or Latino/Hispanic heritage
Amount: Two awards of $10,000
Deadline: October 20, 2025
Website: https://givingback.org/saatchi-diversity-2025  

APSA Diversity Fellowship Program

How to Apply: Complete the online application, including a personal statement, resume, transcript, and three letters of recommendation.
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents engaged in or planning to pursue political science research and scholarship; first-generation individuals from historically under-represented racial/ethnic groups such as African Americans, Asian and Asian Pacific Americans, Latinos/as, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and individuals of MENA descent are strongly encouraged to apply
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: October 26, 2025
Website: https://apsanet.org/diversity/diversity-fellowship-program/fall-dfp-application/

Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Diversity Scholarship

How to Apply: Complete the application, including a personal statement of how your academic and career goals align to the mission of AFCEA Educational Foundation.
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens who are full-time graduate students (women and minority students) pursuing a STEM-related field with a GPA of 3.5 or higher; must exhibit financial need
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: November 30, 2025
Website: https://www.afcea.org/shrader-graduate-scholarship

OHM Advisors Scholarship Application

How to Apply: Complete the online application, including a 1-page essay that responds to the prompt: “Discuss one experience of adversity in your life that has made you a stronger person and a potentially more resilient employee.”
Eligibility: Open to women and minority students who are high school seniors through college juniors currently enrolled or planning to enroll in a U.S. STEM program with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Amount: $4,000
Deadline: November 30, 2025
Website: https://www.ohm-advisors.com/about/ohm-advisors-scholarship

Bright Lights Scholarship

How to Apply: Write an essay between 400 and 600 words on your plans for the future and how this scholarship will help you.
Eligibility: Open to underrepresented minority and/or first-generation high school or undergraduate students
Amount: Two winners of $600 each
Deadline: December 12, 2025
Website: https://bold.org/scholarships/bright-lights-scholarship/

American Indian College Fund Scholarship

How to Apply: Complete the online application, including submission of a digital headshot and transcript.
Eligibility: Must be an enrolled member of a federally or state-recognized tribe, or a descendent of an enrolled member, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
Amount: Between $2,000 and $3,000
Deadline: May 31, 2026
Website: https://collegefund.org/students/scholarships/  

Please note, most scholarship recipients receive $2,500 or less, and only 0.1% of undergraduate students receive $25,000 or more in scholarship funds. Scholarships are one of many sources of funding for college, including savings, current income, and federal and private loans. To learn about the variety of ways to pay for college, visit our Paying for College webpage.