African-Americans applying to college experience a host of unique challenges, and finding ways to pay for it may be chief among them. On the whole, postsecondary enrollment rates for all institutions dropped between 2010 to 2015. Prior to that period, college enrollment saw a steady increase of 21% from 1976 until 2010. By 2015, full-time enrollment fell by 6%. This decrease was the result of many factors, but the the recession of 2009 is the main case. Schools are still recovering from the economic disruption and looking to attract more students for enrollment. However, economic crises limit the funding available to students, especially students of color.
"African-Americans take out more loans than other populations to pay for college."
African-American students make up 14% of all enrolled college students, and as they try to navigate a rocky postsecondary landscape, there are many ways to finance their collegiate career. According to the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, during the 2007-2008 academic year, undergraduate students received over $60 billion in merit-based and need-based financial aid. Only 11.4% of African-American students received merit-based grants and 52.9% earned need-based aid. Moreover, a report by Demos found that African-Americans take out more loans than other populations to pay for college.
Judging by the rates of need-based aid, many of these students struggle with paying for college and accrue more debt by taking out loans. While a student may graduate with a college degree, their increased debt-load makes it difficult to buy a home or car, and keeps them in a cycle of debt. Therefore, African-American students need to prioritize grant and scholarship applications; the former is usually awarded based on need, while the latter are merit-based. Notably, however, neither of these awards need to be repaid after graduation.
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Eligibility Requirements
Students applying to African-American grants for education must be African-American. Federal education grants are typically awarded based on the applicant's financial needs, as determined initially by the FAFSA. State and privately funded African-American grants may have separate or additional requirements based on the applicant's place of residence, level of academic achievement, or planned course of study.
General Scholarships and Grants for African-American Students
Scholarships and Grants for African-American Women
Scholarships and Grants for African-American Men
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Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Historically black universities and colleges — also known as HBCUs — were established after the Civil War to serve the black community. Despite post-war legislation that gave blacks equal rights, many were prohibited from attending predominantly white institutions. The government encouraged the creation of HBCUs by passing the second Morrill Land-Grant Act of 1890, which mandated that states establish colleges specifically for African-American students. At first, these schools trained students to be teachers and clergymen. Over time, however, schools expanded to include scholarship in physics, biology, math, and astronomy.
In the early days of HBCUs, access to funding was limited. Although college tuition was much lower than it is now, students struggled to obtain the funds to go to school, as states prioritized funding other schools. However, the Higher Education Act of 1965 gave schools more federal funding to distribute to students, and covered both PWIs and HBCUs. Now, more schools create outreach programs to attract students and distribute scholarships and loans. As shown by the following table, the number of black enrollees reached its peak in 2011 but dropped slightly in 2014.
Despite the range of school options available today, HBCUs continue to attract the majority of black students, and many award African-American grants and minority grants. Today, the scholarship at HBCUs outpaces many other schools. According to the National Science Foundation, HBCUs represent eight of the top 10 institutions graduating black STEM majors.
| Year | White | Black | Hispanic | Asian / Pacific Islander | American Indian / Alaska Native |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Source: NCES | |||||
| 1976 | 84.3% | 9.6% | 3.6% | 1.8% | 0.7% |
| 1980 | 83.5% | 9.4% | 4% | 2.4% | 0.7% |
| 1990 | 79.9% | 9.3% | 5.8% | 4.3% | 0.8% |
| 2000 | 70.8% | 11.7% | 9.9% | 6.6% | 1% |
| 2005 | 68% | 13.1% | 11.1% | 6.7% | 1% |
| 2009 | 64.5% | 14.7% | 12.9% | 6.8% | 1% |
| 2010 | 62.6% | 15% | 13.5% | 6.3% | 1% |
| 2011 | 61.2% | 15.2% | 14.3% | 6.3% | 0.9% |
| 2012 | 60.3% | 14.9% | 15% | 6.3% | 0.9% |
| 2013 | 59.3% | 14.7% | 15.8% | 6.4% | 0.8% |
| 2014 | 58.3% | 14.5% | 16.5% | 6.6% | 0.8% |
The Reward for Investing in Education
Attending college as a dramatic impact on a person's lifetime earning potential and chances of finding employment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates people with a high school diploma have the highest unemployment rates, nearing 8% in 2017. For workers with a high school diploma, the unemployment rate sits at 5.3%. Those who attended college but did not graduate have an unemployment rate of slightly lower, at 3.8%. College graduates, however, boast the lowest unemployment rate of 2.5%. These statistics prove that a college degree makes it easier for workers to get — and keep — job opportunities. For African-American students, a college degree allows them to climb the corporate ladder and advance economically.
According to the Brookings Institution, college students earn up to $570,000 more than high school graduates over their lifetime. The income gap increases as students earn advanced degrees and gain more experience in their field. In fact, the same research by the Brookings Institution indicates college degrees yield higher returns than stocks, bonds, and gold. It's clear that investing in one's education results in greater economic stability. For students of color, scholarships and grants developed specifically for their communities help them complete higher education without accruing crippling amounts of debt.
Additional Ways to Save in College
While college students should apply for as many grants and scholarships as possible to pay for their education, they should also explore several alternative sources of funding. For example, graduate students can apply for fellowships that distribute stipends to cover expenses while they perform research on a special project. Students can also look into federal work-study programs, which pay students to earn money for working on-campus jobs. Furthermore, the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 helps students specifically studying online locate government and/or private funding for school.
Employer Tuition Assistance
Some people join the workforce immediately after graduating high school, and choose to attend college later in life. In many cases, these individuals must juggle a full-time career and family/home responsibilities, all while paying for school. Some employers try to alleviate these concerns by offering employee tuition-assistance programs. The government also offers tax breaks to students using employer-sponsored tuition assistance. Workers can receive a $5,250 income-based tax exclusion for all education-related expenses, which includes tuition, books, and fees. To verify the amount, employers will ask for copies of receipts and bills. Another benefit is the working condition fringe benefit, which allows employees to exclude more than the $5,250 limit, provided they prove their expenses can be considered a business expense by the organization.
For employees that already work at a college or university, employers offer tuition waivers or reductions. With a waiver, the school covers the entire cost of an employee's tuition or dramatically reduces tuition fees. For those interested in employer-based gift aid — such as grants or scholarships — they should contact their employer's human resources department. Many organizations also distribute scholarships and grants to the public, and their employees usually qualify, as long as they meet basic requirements. Employers benefit from the skills and knowledge you gain during a degree, and tuition assistance is usually available if students major in a field that relates to their current industry. They may also ask employees to work at the organization for a certain amount of time after earning their degree. African-American students should look into whether their employer awards specific African-American or minority grants.
Try Online Learning
Online courses are an alternative for students that want to keep education costs down. Due to the advancements in technology, a student can enroll in a university anywhere in the country without ever leaving their home. They can access course lectures — and their peers — through video-conferencing tools, and online students usually pay discounted tuition rates. Paying less for for tuition and fees means more long-term savings.
When students pursue their degree online, they save on residential and commuter costs. For instance, online students don't pay for room and board or for commuter parking passes. Students also save by purchasing e-books, which often cost less than paperback editions. Another benefit of online degrees is their flexibility. Schools deliver online programs synchronously or asynchronously: the former places students in cohort groups to complete class assignments, while the latter allows students work at their own pace. Some schools will also offer either fully online coursework, or a combination of in-person and online courses. Be sure to check whether online programs have any in-person classes or components to complete.
Additional Resources
- Talent Development Secondary: This program works with middle and high school children from low-income neighborhoods to teach the necessary skills for college and entering the career world.
- Federal Student Aid FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is required for any student seeking post-secondary education. The government uses the FAFSA to distribute need and merit-based aid to students.
- Common App for Black Colleges: Students applying to HBCUs can use the Common App to streamline the process. After completing the application and uploading transcripts and test scores, students can send it to all 53 HBCUs.
- National College Resources Foundation: This organization created programs like the Movement Enrichment program to help students of color — or from low-income neighborhoods — navigate the college landscape.
- New York Black College Expo Tour: Held in New York at Medgar Evers College, the thour gives high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to interview with HBCUs.