Are There Any Free HBCUs? How To Get Free Tuition

Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are institutions created to educate black students at a time when colleges were segregated.

Today, they operate pretty much the same way that other colleges and universities do. They offer accredited degrees, accept students of all races, and charge tuition.

Keep reading to find out if there are any free HBCUs and learn how to get free tuition at a historically black college or university.

Are There Any Free HBCUs?

There are no HBCUs that are completely tuition-free. However, many students may qualify for free tuition through financial aid programs.

How Much is Tuition at an HBCU?

The cost of tuition at HBCUs can vary significantly, as several factors can affect the cost. These include:

• whether the HBCU is a public or a private institution
• whether the HBCU is a two-year or a four-year institution
• what level of program you're pursuing
• whether you're learning on campus or online
• what state the HBCU is in
• what state you live in

Some HBCUs charge in-state students less than $5,000 annually in tuition and fees, and many charge less than $10,000 per year to in-state students.

The most expensive HBCU is the private Spelman College in Atlanta. The average student tuition is just shy of $29,000 per year, which is nearly $10,000 less than the national average for private institutions.

Please note that these numbers do not include things like supplies and room and board, and also do not include financial aid.

How to Get Free Tuition at an HBCU

The best way to lower your tuition at an HBCU, or even cover your tuition completely, is through financial aid opportunities like scholarships, grants, and work-study programs.

To find out what financial aid you qualify for, start by filling out your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). This will tell you your eligibility for federal financial aid.

Additionally, many financial aid applications require you to have filled out your FAFSA first.

Below, we've broken down the most common types of financial aid for students looking to finance their education at an HBCU.

Scholarships

Scholarships are financial aid gifts that you do not need to repay. There are thousands of scholarships available to help students pay for their tuition, supplies, and housing.

Scholarships may be granted for many things, including academic achievement, athletics, and extracurricular activities, or to members of a specific group, such as women or people of color.

You can find scholarships through federal, state, and local governments, independent organizations, or your college.

A number of HBCUs offer scholarships. You can usually find information about these by checking the financial aid page on the school's website. Many schools also offer information about community scholarships as well.

There are also many websites designed to help students find scholarships, including the U.S. Department of Labor's CareerOneStop Scholarship Finder tool.

Thurgood Marshall College Fund

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships and education assistance to students who attend its 47 member schools, 42 of which are HBCUs.

To date, the organization has awarded more than $500 million in programmatic support and scholarships. Brands like Apple, Costco, the NBA, and the NHL offer scholarships through the TMCF.

To apply for a scholarship, students must be attending or planning to attend a member school. After filling out an application on the website, students are shown which scholarships they qualify for.

You can find a full list of member schools and more information about the Thurgood Marshall College Fund at TMCF.org.

UNCF

The United Negro College Fund, now typically referred to as the UNCF, is another scholarship organization for historically black colleges and universities.

It awards more than $100 million in scholarships to students at more than 1,100 schools across the country, including 37 HBCUs.

The organization also provides funding to these HBCUS, allowing them to charge a lower-than-average tuition rate to students.

A full list of member organizations and available scholarships is available at UNCF.org.

Grants

Grants, like scholarships, are a type of financial aid that you typically do not need to repay. However, if you do not meet certain requirements, for example, if you drop out of your program, you may be responsible for paying it back.

One of the most common grants in the United States is the Federal Pell Grant, which provides funds for students under a certain income threshold. More than 75% of students at HBCUs use the Pell Grant.

Most grants are administered based on financial need, but like scholarships, grants can be given for a range of reasons.

Also like scholarships, grants can be given out by the government, your college, or through independent organizations.

Many of the same scholarship database websites, including CareerOneStop, also help students find grants as well.

Work-Study Programs

Work-study programs allow you to earn money toward your tuition by working part-time. The options for work-study jobs will depend on the school you attend.

Most work-study jobs are on campus, but you may also be able to work for a non-profit organization or public agency.

Some schools also have agreements with private, for-profit employers, but you typically must work in a role that's relevant to your program of study.

Not all schools offer work-study programs. Contact your college's financial aid office to find out what's available.

Attend an HBCU for Free

While there are no HBCUs that are tuition-free, using grants, scholarships, and work-study programs can help you reduce or eliminate your tuition costs. Check out the options above to fund your degree today.