5 College Grants for Black Women in 2025

Black women looking to earn a degree or continue their education can find financial assistance in various forms. Numerous college grants can help reduce higher education costs — and they don't have to be repaid. Eligibility requirements vary, but many college grants for Black women are based on the student's GPA, letters of recommendation, experience in community service, financial need, or general academic excellence.

There are many grants for Black women in college, which can be applied to everything from a certificate program to a doctoral degree, depending on the program. Take a look below to see what college grants you may be eligible for.

Types of Grants Available for Black Women

There are many different types of college grants for Black women that can help cover higher education costs. These can be based on the student's merit, needs, or field of study. They may be offered by the college or university. Take a look below at the different types of grants for Black women in college.

Merit-Based Grants

Merit-based grants are awarded to students who excel in academics, show significant leadership potential, or exceed in other achievements. Students who receive this type of funding may not have a specific financial need. When researching scholarships and grants, consider any special skills or achievements you may have.

Examples of merit-based grants for African American students include the Ron Brown Scholar Program and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

Need-Based Grants

A need-based grant will go to a student with a financial need or circumstance that may otherwise prevent them from attending school. Typically, these grants are made for low-income students who can show that they have a financial need based on their current income status.

You can apply for these grants by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and talking with your school's financial aid office. Some examples include the Spelman Need-Based Grant and the Pell Grant.

Field-Specific Grants

Scholarship opportunities may also be available based on your field of study. For example, women working in STEM, business, or a related field may be eligible for a grant from a STEM or business-related organization.

Statistically, many of these fields favor men over women, so these specific scholarships help break down barriers and encourage women to join. Other fields that have a high employment need, like teaching, often also offer grants or scholarships.

Some examples of field-specific grants for Black students include the TEACH Grant Program and the Women and Minorities in STEM Program.

College-Specific Grants

Finally, many colleges offer their own grants, especially historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Once you're accepted into your desired school, speak to the financial aid office to see what college-specific grants they offer, and what you need to apply.

Eligibility may depend on a range of factors, including whether you are full-time or part-time, returning to school or a high school senior, your field of study, and other factors. But these grants may range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, so it never hurts to take a look and see what may be applicable.

College Grants For Black Women To Apply For

Regardless of the type of grant, there are many school grants for Black women to apply for. Take a look at the list below and see which ones may help lower your tuition costs.

Spelman Need-Based Grant

Spelman College is one of the most popular HBCUs for women only. It offers two need-based grants to eligible students. The scholarship fund is available to all students who fill out the FAFSA; no other application is necessary.

Funding varies, but grants are awarded to Spelman students on a first-come, first-served basis, so interested students are encouraged to apply early to secure the funding they need. If you have additional questions, reach out to Spelman's office of financial aid.

AAUW Career Development Grants

These career development grants are awarded to women pursuing their first advanced degree or a certification in one of the following fields:

• education
• health and medicine
• science
• STEM
• social science

The maximum grant for a degree program is $20,000, and for a certificate is $8,000. The applicant must be a woman who already has a bachelor's degree, she must attend a fully accredited college or university, and she must be a U.S. citizen.

Preference is given to those who have overcome a significant life challenge, are the first in their family to receive a bachelor's degree, come from or lead a single-parent household, or who live in certain states in the U.S. Students must apply through the International Scholarship and Tuition Services website.

Federal Grants for Black Women

The U.S. government offers several grants to help college students cover some costs of tuition. This financial assistance can especially help minority students to overcome barriers to higher education.

Federal Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is for undergraduate students who are pursuing their first degree and have a significant financial need. Funding varies, but in the 2025-26 school year, the maximum amount given was $7,395.

The amount you receive will depend on your student aid index (SAI) as per the FAFSA, the cost of attending your school, whether you are full-time or part-time, and how long you plan to attend school. You can reapply for the Pell Grant each academic year, up to six years, by filling out the FAFSA again.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

This scholarship program is open to students pursuing an undergraduate degree with exceptional financial need. Scholarship winners can receive anywhere from $100 to $4,000, and as with other grants, this money does not need to be repaid.

There is no scholarship application — simply fill out the FAFSA and your school will determine how much funding you are eligible for. Not all schools participate in the FSEOG, so check with your school's financial aid office first.

Federal TEACH Grant

African American women pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree related to teaching may be eligible for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant. This scholarship offers up to $4,000 per year. Applicants must fill out the FAFSA, be enrolled at a school that supports the TEACH grant, maintain a grade point average of 3.25, and receive TEACH grant counseling.

Recipients of this funding must teach full-time at a low-income school or educational service facility, or teach in a high-need field, for at least four years. If you do not meet these requirements, the TEACH funds will be transitioned into a student loan program.

FAQs About College Grants for Black Women

Many students of color have questions when it comes to college grants and scholarships. Take a look at our FAQs below to have some of these questions answered.

Are There Grants for Black Women?

Many grants are available for Black women, whether you attend a four-year college or a graduate school. They're also available for high school students and returning students.

Minority groups can take advantage of federal grant programs through the FAFSA, or various merit- or need-based grants. Your school's financial aid office will be able to help you find the most relevant grants for your needs.

What Are the Best Minority Scholarships?

One of the best grants for Black female students can be found through the AAUW Career Development Grants. Their highest-value grant is $20,000, which can significantly reduce student loans and the overall cost of your college education. However, if you fill out the FAFSA, you may be automatically considered for many different federal grants.

How Can Black Women Find College Grants and Scholarships?

The easiest way to be considered for grants and scholarships is to fill out the FAFSA form and have it sent to your college. You should also look online and speak with your school's financial aid office to see if there are additional merit-based or field-specific grants that you may qualify for. The NAACP also offers many college scholarships for Black women.

Earn Your College Degree

For members of the Black community, there are many options for grants to help lower tuition costs. To get your college journey started, take a look at the accredited colleges and universities offered on Learn.org and reach out to one that interests you today.