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?

No HBCU is tuition-free for every student. Like most colleges, HBCUs charge tuition. However, many students can still attend an HBCU without paying tuition out of pocket.

Several states and individual HBCUs offer programs that cover full tuition for students who qualify. Eligibility is usually based on income, residency, or grades. Some are statewide grants that work at any public college, including public HBCUs. Others are run by the schools themselves. Texas Southern University’s Tiger Promise and Norfolk State University’s VCAN Scholarship are two examples.

Most of these programs require you to file the FAFSA, and they typically cover tuition and sometimes fees, but not housing or books. Below, we list HBCUs with these programs, then cover the other ways to lower or eliminate your costs.

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

Public HBCUs generally cost much less than private ones, especially for in-state students. For example, NC Promise sets in-state tuition at Elizabeth City State University and Fayetteville State University at just $500 per semester, not counting fees.

Private HBCUs tend to cost the most. Howard University in Washington, D.C., is among the priciest, with 2026–27 undergraduate tuition of $37,996 plus $940 in mandatory fees. Spelman College in Atlanta charges $30,042 in tuition for 2026–27. Even so, both cost less than the average private nonprofit four-year school, where published tuition and fees averaged $45,000 in 2025–26.

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

Tuition-Free HBCUs

While no HBCU is tuition-free for everyone, several have state, local, or school programs that can cover full tuition for students who qualify. Most of these programs require you to file the FAFSA, and they usually cover tuition only. Housing, books, and some fees aren’t included.

Delaware State University‍

The Inspire Scholarship covers full tuition for up to four years for Delaware high school graduates. To qualify, you need at least a 2.75 GPA, must enroll full-time at Delaware State in the fall right after graduating, and must file the FAFSA. The award renews for up to eight consecutive fall and spring semesters.

Alabama State University ‍

Graduates of Birmingham City Schools can use the Birmingham Promise Scholarship to cover tuition and mandatory fees at Alabama State for up to four years, as long as they meet the program’s requirements.

Florida A&M University ‍

Florida’s Bright Futures program is merit-based. Its top tier, Florida Academic Scholars, covers 100% of tuition and applicable fees at Florida public universities, including FAMU. You qualify through your high school GPA, test scores, and community service hours.

Alcorn State, Jackson State, and Mississippi Valley State universities‍

Mississippi’s Higher Education Legislative Plan (HELP) Grant covers full tuition and required fees at public colleges for up to four years. It’s for Mississippi residents who meet income limits, qualify for a Pell Grant, and meet minimum academic requirements.

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania ‍

Starting in fall 2027, the PASSHE Pledge will cover any remaining tuition for in-state undergraduates who receive both a federal Pell Grant and a PA State Grant. It covers tuition only. Fees, books, and housing aren’t included.

Elizabeth City State and Fayetteville State universities ‍

These schools aren’t free, but they come close for some students. Through NC Promise, in-state students pay just $500 per semester in tuition. Required fees still apply. For students with a Pell Grant, that low price can leave little or nothing to pay for tuition. Additionally, the state's Next NC Scholarship provides a minimum of $5,000 per year to qualifying in-state students.

Texas Southern University

‍The Tiger Promise covers tuition and mandatory fees for eligible Texas residents through grants and scholarships. First-time freshmen can receive it for up to eight consecutive semesters, including summer and winter sessions. Transfer students can receive it for up to four. You must keep up with academic progress requirements to stay eligible.

Norfolk State University and Virginia State University

‍Both schools offer free tuition through the Virginia College Affordability Network (VCAN). It’s for Pell-eligible first-year students who live near campus. At Norfolk State, you must live within 45 miles. Virginia State also has distance and GPA requirements, so check its VCAN page for current criteria. Virginia residents at both schools may also qualify for the state’s Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP). VGAP gives students with the greatest need at least enough to cover tuition.

West Virginia State University

‍Through the Yellow Jacket Pledge, WVSU offers Free for Eight. This last-dollar program covers tuition, fees, and approved academic program fees for eligible West Virginia residents after other aid is applied. Adult learners starting the Regents Bachelor of Arts program may also qualify for a free first semester.

Bluefield State University (West Virginia)

‍The Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan covers tuition for students in more than a dozen high-demand programs, including nursing, engineering technology, computer science, and business. You must be a West Virginia resident and eligible for both the full Pell Grant and the WV Higher Education Grant. You also need to file the FAFSA by April 15 and keep a 2.0 GPA.

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.

Institutional Last-Dollar Programs

A growing number of HBCUs run their own free-tuition programs, often called “promise” or “guarantee” programs. Most work on a last-dollar basis. First, your federal and state grants, such as the Pell Grant, are applied to your bill. Then the school covers whatever tuition is left. If you qualify, you pay $0 in tuition.

For example, Texas Southern University’s Tiger Promise covers tuition and mandatory fees for eligible Texas residents. West Virginia State University’s Free for Eight covers remaining tuition and fees for eligible West Virginia residents. Norfolk State University and Virginia State University offer free tuition to Pell-eligible students from nearby communities through the VCAN Scholarship.

These programs usually require you to:

• file the FAFSA, often by a specific deadline
• qualify for a Pell Grant or meet an income limit
• live in the school’s state, or sometimes within a certain distance of campus
• enroll full-time and keep a minimum GPA

Funding is often limited, and the rules vary from school to school. Ask the financial aid office at each HBCU you’re considering whether it has a program like this and how to apply.

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 share information about community scholarships.

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 support to students at its 57 member schools. Members include publicly supported HBCUs, historically Black community colleges, and predominantly Black institutions.

To date, the organization has awarded more than $500 million in assistance to its students and member schools. TMCF also works with major employers like Boeing, Lowe’s, Visa, Wells Fargo, and the NBA on scholarships, internships, and career programs.

To apply, students must be attending or planning to attend a member school. The online application typically opens in November and asks for a short video essay and a professional photo.

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 known simply as UNCF, is another major scholarship organization for HBCU students.

Each year, it awards more than $62 million in scholarships to more than 11,000 students. It also provides financial support to its 36 member HBCUs, which helps them keep tuition about 34% lower than comparable institutions.

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

Grants

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

Also like scholarships, grants can come from the government, your college, or independent organizations. State grants are worth a close look. Many states have grant and promise programs that can cover most or all of your tuition at a public college, including public HBCUs. For example:

• North Carolina: The Next NC Scholarship provides at least $5,000 a year at any UNC System university to residents with a household income of $80,000 or less. That includes HBCUs like North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central.
• Mississippi: The HELP Grant covers full tuition and required fees at public colleges, including Jackson State and Alcorn State, for residents who meet income and academic requirements.
• Virginia: The Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program gives the neediest students at Virginia public colleges at least enough to cover tuition.
• Pennsylvania: Starting in fall 2027, the PASSHE Pledge will cover remaining tuition at Cheyney University for in-state students who receive both a Pell Grant and a PA State Grant.

In most states, the FAFSA (and sometimes a separate state aid application) is all you need to be considered. Check your state’s higher education agency for deadlines.

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

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.