sample admission essay

While more and more educational opportunities for minorities are opening up, there is still a significant percentage of African-Americans who do not have affordable access to a college education. There are a number of institutions that provide African-American student financial aid, but a lot of students don’t know where to find them, and what processes are involved in acquiring African-American student financial aid. Institutions like the United Negro College Fund has been giving African-American student financial aid for decades now, as well as some colleges and universities that have specific African-American student financial aid programs for specific majors.

Some institutions that provide African-American student financial aid are also sometimes based in areas with a significant percentage of African-Americans population. An example of such an institution is the Coleman A. Young Foundation , which provides African-American student financial aid to students who live in the Detroit area.  Check local organizations and associations that operate within your area or region if they provide African-American student financial aid. For those who are looking for African-American student financial aid programs, below is a list of some institutions which you can consult:

The United Negro College Fund

The UNCF is one of the longest running institutions that provide African-American student financial aid services, and has paid for the education of almost half a million youths. The UNCF has tie-ups with 39 public and private historically black colleges and universities in the United States, where the recipients of African-American student financial aid can choose their majors and study.

Thurgood Marshall College Fund

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund is a non-government organization dedicated to raising college tuition money to provide African-American student financial aid. The organization currently has 54 partner colleges and universities all over the US and has partners with companies from different industries such as Ford, Costco, HSBC, and MTV. The Thurgood Marshall College Fund awards an average of US$ 2,200 per semester to students enrolled at historically black colleges and universities.

In order to be eligible for the African-American student financial aid, the applicant must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, recommendation from the previously attended high school, and demonstrated financial need.

This website also lists a lot of affiliated scholarships with differing requirements.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP )

The NAACP offers five African-American student financial aid programs: Earl G. Graves Scholarship, Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship, Lillian & Samuel Sutton Education Scholarship, Roy Wilkins Scholarship, and the Hubertus W. V. Wellems Scholarship For Male Students. These African-American student financial aid and scholarship programs are differentiated by the amount of money they grant.

The NAACP requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 for undergrads and a 3.0 GPA for graduate students. Some of the scholarships that NAACP offers require applicants to be members of the association, and have specific guidelines to demonstrate financial need.

These are just three of the institutions that can provide African-American student financial aid to those who need help financing their college education. With the wide range of options available for funders and providers of scholarship grants , more African-Americans of good academic standing should be able to pursue quality college education.

Photo credits:  DeaPeaJay

Guide to admission to Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the USA

With schools clamoring for cultural diversity across the country, blacks and other minorities now have a lot of options when it comes to higher education. More students nowadays, regardless of background, are opting for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) where they can learn with a distinct perspective on African-American culture and history. If you’re considering an HBCU for higher education, here are some basic tips that can help you out.

Step 1: Choosing an HBCU

There are over 100 HBCUs in the United States; you can find a complete list at the U.S. Department of Education website. Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina have the largest concentration of HBCUs, each with more than 10 institutions. Some of the most prominent schools are Fisk University , Spelman College , Morehouse College , Howard University , and Hampton University .
Each HBCU has its strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to list down your preferences when looking for a school. A lot of websites offer campus tours and allow you to do side-by-side comparisons of different colleges. Prestige is important, but remember that it’s also about experience: find a program that you enjoy and a campus you can comfortably live in.

Step 2: Applying

Application procedures vary by school, so it’s best to get a checklist from prospective colleges. However, some requirements are the same across the board. These include:
-Scores on standardized tests such as SATs, ACT and SST
-Your high school transcript
-Recommendation letters from your teachers or principal
-Application essay—some schools have specific requirements, so be sure to look it up
-Application fees
You many need additional materials depending on your status; for example, art and music programs usually require a portfolio or audition, and foreign students may need visas and clearances from their home countries.

Step 3: Funding

There are low-cost and upscale HBCUs, so your options will be more or less the same as other schools. But since they cater to minorities in general—not just blacks—you can expect more financial aid resources when you choose an HBCU. Private and government funding are available, and you may even qualify for minority discounts. Public colleges generally cost less, and there are lots of scholarships up for grabs. Find one that you qualify for and try your luck.

Before the American Civil War, a medical education was plainly not accessible to African-American students. Students of color who wished to get a medical degree had to study in schools mostly located in the North, Europe, or Canada.

From the late 19th century to the early years of the 20th century, African-American medical students faced numerous difficulties. Only a few educational institutions would allow African-American students to pursue their medical education regardless of their academic standing. Schools such as Howard University and Meharry Medical College were just some of the few institutions that were specifically established and managed by white Americans for medical students of color.

After the Civil War, several medical institutions and schools opened their doors to African-American students but racism, prejudice, and marginalization still existed through the “separate but equal” Jim Crow policies. In response to this, African-Americans established their own medical schools that catered only to minority students.

Through the Civil Rights Movement in the sixties, African-American students were slowly integrated into previously white-only schools and universities. Today, African-Americans are enjoying the fruits of their determined and hard-working predecessors. Despite the fact that they still face many issues, more African-American medical students are now practitioners in their respective fields.

Affirmative Action

Several laws/executive orders/regulations were passed or implemented in order to address the discrimination issues not only at schools but in government and private offices. These policies can be referred to as “Affirmative Action ,” a term first coined during the start of the Civil Rights Movement in the sixties.

As such, medical colleges and universities were required to implement programs and plans that can help address diversity issues . These plans and programs include active recruitment, outreach, support centers, advocate groups, residential houses with ethnic themes, and financial aid systems that cater to minority groups.

As a result, more students are given the chance to pursue their medical degrees regardless of race and economic status. These laws helped create a more diverse student body in many medical schools and a more diverse health care system .

Trends in African-American Medical Education

According to a survey done by the University of California, educational aspirations for many African-Americans remain high. Twenty-four percent of the school’s African-American population plan on getting doctoral degrees. The high interest of African-Americans in professional degrees such as medical and law professions can also be considered an improvement despite current difficulties.

At the VCU School of Medicine , about 8-10% of its student population are actually African-Americans, serving as proof that meaningful student body diversity can be achieved.

Practical Tips for African-American Students

One useful tip for African-American students who wish to pursue a medical degree is to get a clear understanding of and take advantage of race-neutral strategies used by many universities and colleges. These programs can include research fellowships, graduate school excellence programs that were developed for disadvantaged undergraduates, and other similar strategies. These strategies also focus on economic background. Conversely, African-American students would also do well to learn about private and public schools’ diversity/cultural outreach programs. These programs offer valuable guidance on grades and preparation strategies.

Another tip is to use the Internet when searching for financial aid information and resources that cater to minority groups. Getting a copy of the MSAR or Medical School Admission Requirements is also a good idea since this publication contains comprehensive information on financial aid programs, descriptions of federal aid strategies, requirements of specific schools, and a list of other helpful materials.

photo credit: JBlaze B