Although the bulk of scholarship grants are provided by colleges and universities (over $24 billion last year alone), another $8.5 billion comes from foundations, local organizations, and private donors. Grant money is often awarded on the basis of merit—achievements in athletics, academics, the arts, and community service. A significant portion of the scholarship pot is also awarded to students who have shown pride and interest in their roots through their involvement with heritage organizations. These are diversity scholarships, meant to encourage members of specific groups to continue their postsecondary education. Some of the groups that offer diversity scholarships include:
- The United Negro College Fund (www.uncf.org)
- The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (www.hsf.net)
- National Italian American Foundation (www.niaf.org) This group also provides scholarships for students majoring in Italian language and culture.
- Korean American Scholarship Foundation (www.kasf.org)
- Japanese American Citizen’s League (www.jacl.org)
- The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (www.cbcfinc.org)
- The Gates Millennium Scholars Program (www.gmsp.org)
- Aspira (www.aspira.org) focuses on Latino youth.
- The American Indian College Fund (www.collegefund.org) offers scholarships for Native American students.
- The Ronald MacDonald Scholarship Program also provides many diversity scholarships. (www.aboutmcdonalds.com)
Trade and professional organizations such as the Association of Black or Hispanic Engineers also offer diversity scholarships. You can also search for minority scholarships at websites like www.ScholarshipAmerica.org or www.fastweb.com. Black Excel also maintains a list of over 200 websites that offer scholarships for minority students. Visit them at www.blackexcel.org.
