STEM and many other fields still lack diversity, and cost is one of the barriers. A number of organizations offer scholarships aimed at students from underrepresented backgrounds, providing financial support and a way into educational and career opportunities. Here are five scholarships for minority high school students to help pay for college. Amounts, deadlines, and eligibility change year to year, so confirm the details on each scholarship’s site.
1. Blacks at Microsoft (BAM) Scholarship
The BAM Scholarship helps Black and African American students attend college and pursue a career in technology.
To be considered, you must:
- Be a high school senior of African descent (for example, African American, African, or Ethiopian).
- Plan to attend a four-year U.S. college the fall after you graduate.
- Plan to study full-time in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, or a business field (business administration, finance, or marketing).
- Show a passion for technology and leadership at school or in your community.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale) or equivalent.
- Need financial assistance for college.
Apply: through this application.
Amount: 5 awards of $5,000 and 45 awards of $2,500.
2. FSU Black Alumni: In Honor of Maxwell Courtney Scholarship
This scholarship is for entering freshmen at Florida State University, with special consideration for Black or African American students. Students entering from high schools in designated counties who completed an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma are encouraged to apply.
Amount: $1,000
Eligibility: a high school senior in Duval, Gadsden, Leon, Miami-Dade, or Orange county, Florida, seeking a bachelor’s degree at FSU, with an IB diploma. Preference goes to Black or African American students.
See Rishab Jain’s video on winning the Coca-Cola Scholarship and $20,000 here.
3. Illinois Latino Council on Higher Education (ILACHE) Scholarship
ILACHE provides financial aid to Latino students in Illinois attending college in the state.
Amount: up to $1,000
Apply: online here.
Eligibility: a Latino Illinois resident who is a graduating senior or a current full-time student at a 2- or 4-year college in the state, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Selection considers your statement, record, recommendations, and service.
Deadline: typically March; confirm on the site.
4. Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship
The Xerox Technical Minority Scholarship awards up to $10,000 to minority students pursuing a degree in a technical field like engineering, chemistry, physics, or computer science, and can lead to career opportunities at Xerox.
Amount: up to $10,000
Application: online form, resume, transcript, and a recommendation letter.
Eligibility:
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident in a technical degree program (the scholarship requires college enrollment, so high school seniors apply as they enter college).
- African American, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, Alaskan Native, or Hispanic.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale).
- Demonstrated financial need.
Deadline: typically late September; confirm on the site.
5. North County Italian Association Scholarship
This scholarship supports high school seniors of Italian ancestry in north San Diego County, California, heading to college in any state. (Note: the association’s website appears to be down, so confirm the scholarship is still offered before counting on it.)
Amount: up to $1,000
Eligibility:
- Graduating from a high school in north San Diego County (north of California Highway 56), attending a 2- or 4-year college in any state.
- A U.S. citizen of at least 25% Italian ancestry.
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Scholarships like these matter for both the financial support and for building diversity in fields where representation is still low.
Looking for more?
For more ways to find and win scholarships, check out our free scholarship guide, with practical tips and strategies for winning competitive merit-based scholarships.
“I used this guide and it honestly made me super organized with all of my scholarships! I had been thinking about a dozen scholarships to do, and this guide helped me compile it all into a neat, organized system.”
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