The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential.
 
Selected Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance to earn a bachelor’s degree, that is not already covered by other financial aid and the expected family contribution, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the methodology used by a Scholar’s college or university. Costs covered include tuition, fees, books, and room and board, and may include additional personal costs.
 
TGS also provides Scholars with various online support services designed to help them excel in their degree programs, graduate, and make a successful transition to their chosen careers. These include career services, mentoring, leadership development, wellness, and knowledge building.

Eligibility requirements:

• A high school senior
• From at least one of the following ethnicities: African American, American Indian/Alaska Native*, Asian/Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American
• Pell-eligible
• A US citizen, national, or permanent resident
• In a good academic standing with a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)

Additionally, a student must plan to enroll full-time, in a four-year degree program, at a US accredited, not-for-profit, private or public college or university.

Application deadline: Friday, September 15, 2023, 5:00 PM PT.

Apply online: https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/

The College Board has created a $25-million scholarship program to guide students through the college-planning process, with incentives offered to earn money for college at specific steps along the way.

• The program lays out six key steps students can take to plan for college entrance. By completing each step, students earn chances for scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000.
• Students who complete all six steps can earn a chance at a $40,000 scholarship.
• The program is open to high school juniors (Class of 2024).
• $2.5 million each year will be awarded to students whose families earn less than $60,000 annually.

Apply for scholarship
Scholarship Flier

App and website with scholarship info for DACA/undocumented students. Many scholarships are state/locality specific so be sure to read all information.

Apply online: http://dreamersroadmap.org/scholarships

The Kilgour Elementary Alumni Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship given by the Kilgour PTA to a deserving high school senior. The recipient must have attended Kilgour Elementary for at least 3 years and graduated from 6th grade at Kilgour Elementary. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of community involvement and demonstrated leadership skills. While academic achievement is not a specific focus of this award, the recipient must maintain at least a 2.5 high school grade point average.

• Deadline: April 15
• Application and more information

Name: Innovation in Education Scholarship
Number of spots: Unlimited
Application Deadline: 20th of every month by 11:59pst
Amount: $500
Requirements:

• Enrolled as a high school student
• GPA 3.0 or higher
• Must have designed an innovative project that makes a difference in the lives
  of others (This could be a website, series of blogs, an app, fundraising event,
  etc.)

Next Steps:

• Submit an essay describing the goal of the particular project and provide supporting documents.

Application and more information.

Name: Cincinnati Public Schools Scholarship
Number of Spots: Two 
Amount: Full cost of tuition
Application Deadline: March 20 
Requirements: Pell Grant Eligible (Linked to Federal Financial Aid Application) 

Next Steps: 

• Apply to the Art Academy of Cincinnati (Regular Decision Deadline: June 1, 2023) (free application)
• FAFSA Application (April 1 deadline) (free application) 
• The Scholarship Application and Letter of Recommendation from School Counselor must be emailed.

Name: Be Great Grant 
Number of Spots: No limit
Amount: Up to $1,000 for tuition and up to $1,000 for books 
Application Deadline: undefined
Requirements:

• Graduate of Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) high schools and Cincinnati Youth Collaborative (CYC) high school. 
• First-time freshman 
• Pell-grant Eligible
• Must attend Cincinnati State full-time (at least 12 credit hours each term)

Next Steps:

• Apply to Cincinnati State (free application) 
• Fill out FAFSA (free application)

Name: New Horizon
Number of Spots: Up to 2
Application Deadline: March 1 
Amount: Up to Full Cost of Tuition  
Requirements:

• High school grade point average of 2.5 or higher 
• An ACT composite score of 18 or better (or SAT equivalent) to be considered
• Students must also have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), be considered PELL eligible and have submitted the New Horizon Scholarships application

Next Steps:

• Apply to Eastern Kentucky University by February 1 (free application)
• Apply for the New Horizon Scholarship by March 1 (free application) 
• Fill out your FASFA Application by March 1 (free application)

Additional Support: CPS students who have a 3.0 unweighted cumulative GPA and qualify for federal PELL grant assistance, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), are automatically eligible for the PELL Plus program. Students in this category will receive in-state tuition and are automatically considered for in-state merit scholarships offered to Kentucky residents based upon their high school GPA and standardized test scores.

Name: Cincinnati Scholars
Number of Spots: 10–20 (Dependent on yearly budget.)
Application Deadline: Miami Bridges (September 26) and Admission Application (December 1)
Amount: Full Cost of Attendance (minus Expected Family Contribution as determined by the FAFSA and $3,500 self-help (can use outside scholarships or loans to cover this) 
Requirements:

• Minimum of 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale or top 25 percent of graduating class
• Rigorous curriculum
• Demonstrated leadership/co-curricular involvement
• Test scores (PLAN, ACT, SAT, PSAT)
• Attend Bridges Program
• Priority will be given to participants of the Girls to Women and M.O.R.E. programs — though this is not a requirement for eligibility 

Next Steps:

• Apply to Bridges Program (free application) (Deadline September 26)
• Apply to Miami University (Application fee $50) (Deadline December 1)
• Apply to FAFSA (free application)

Name: Educational Diversity Scholarship  
Number of Spots: Up to 5 
Application Deadline: February 15
Amount: Full cost of tuition, room and board 
Requirements:

• 2.5 unweighted GPA or higher
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident
•  First-time freshman admitted to NKU

Next Steps:

• Apply to NKU ($40 application fee)
• Fill out FASFA Application (Free Application; Deadline: February 1)
• Fill out first-time freshman scholarship application (Deadline: February 15)
• Required essay: Describe how aspects of your identity, your life experiences, special skills or values equip you to make a positive contribution to help ensure that the NKU community is rich with diversity, yet inclusive of all its members.
• Information on the Educational Diversity Scholarships 

Name: SOAR
Number of Spots: Up to 5 
Application Deadline: February 15
Amount: Up to $10,000 toward tuition, books and/or housing based on need 
Requirements:

• Study of STEM major (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math)
• Fill out FASFA Application

Next Steps:

• Apply to NKU ($40 application fee)
• Fill out FASFA Application (Free Application; Deadline: February 1)
• Once selected as an eligible student, you will be invited to interview.
• Participation in SOAR scholars program, be a full-time student, maintain a 3.0 GPA
• Information on the SOAR Scholars program

Name: Youngs Scholars Program
Number of Spots: Varies, on average 15
Application Deadline: Spring Semester (check with your school counselor) 
Amount: Robust financial aid package to the Ohio State University, consisting of federal and state grants, work-study, and the Young Scholars Award. 
Requirements:

• Must apply and participate starting in 8th grade
• Be currently enrolled in 8th grade and entering 9th grade
• Have a strong desire and motivation to enroll in and graduate from a 4-year college or university
• Qualify as low-income and have a family income that is at or below the household maximum income guidelines
• Parents or guardians have not received a bachelor's degree
• Have an interest in attending The Ohio State University and residing on campus in Columbus, Ohio, during their first and second years
• Maintain a minimum, unweighted grade point average of 3.3 or above
• Have earned grades of all or mostly As (with few Bs and Cs) in core academic subjects
• Demonstrate good school attendance and positive behavior
• Reside in the state of Ohio and be enrolled in a Cincinnati Public School
• Commit to successful completion of a college prep curriculum in high school

Next Steps:

• Contact the YSP Program Coordinator for your city for a paper copy of the application
• Learn more about the YSP

Name: Skidmore College Opportunity Program
Number of Spots: Up to 4
Application Deadline: January 15, though November 15 is suggested for priority 
Amount: 100 percent of demonstrated need, often leaves families paying $0 out of pocket, books and supplies are covered, students have access to free printing, photo copying and faxing, cultural experiences and, supplemental academic advising, social support tools 
Requirements:

• 3.3+ GPA — while taking a courseload more challenging than average peer 
• 22+ACT Composite or 1,050+ SAT is preferred, though scores are not required
• Ideally Maintained four years in the five core subjects (English, Science, Social Studies, Math, and Foreign Language)
• Interview is not required, but suggested
• Must fill out FAFSA as well as a CSS profile 

Tips:

• DACA students need to apply Early Decision to qualify for this scholarship
• Students with a composite ACT below 21 should apply "Test Optional" 

Next Steps:

• Apply to Skidmore ($65 application fee) (January 15 deadline) Skidmore will waive application fees if students request it and have a demonstrated need.
• Fill out FAFSA (free application) (February 1 deadline) 
• CSS Profile (February 1 deadline)

Name: Gen 1 
Number of Spots: 25 
Award: $2,000 per Semester Scholarship for Living On Campus + 1 year of scholarship to cover an unlimited meal plan. 
Application Deadline: December 1  
Requirements:

• First Generation — neither parent earned a bachelor's degree within six years of high school graduation
• Pell-eligible (determined by FAFSA application) 

Next Steps:

• Apply to University of Cincinnati (application fee $50) (December 1 deadline)
• Apply to Gen-1 program (December 1 deadline)
• Fill out FAFSA (free application)

Name: Marian Spencer Scholarship 
Number of Spots: 10 for fall 2022  
Amount: Full cost of attendance (tuition, room/board, and books), learning community experience, fully funded study abroad, and support for additional experiences such as co-op or research
Interest Form Deadline: November 1 
UC Application Deadline: December 1   
Requirements:

• By invitation to the top 10% of their graduating class after quarter 1 grades (invites are sent to the students' CPS email address) 

Next Steps:

• The top 10% of students are sent an email from CPS with next steps that include: Submitting an interest form
• Attending a webinar about the program (held in November) 
• Applying to the University of Cincinnati by December 1
• Some students will be selected to interview at their high school location and 10 will be selected.

Marian Spencer Printable Flier

Name: Pride Grant 
Number of Spots: No limit
Amount: A combination of federal, state and institutional aid, that equals the full cost of tuition and a book allowance for those who might not otherwise be able to afford a college education. 
Application Deadline: March 1 
Requirements:

• Graduation from CPS school. No GPA requirement: removed for Fall 2022 forward
• Cannot first attend another college (unless that other college is Cincinnati State)
• Must qualify for the Federal Pell Grant (linked to FAFSA application) 

Next Steps:

• Apply to University of Cincinnati (application fee $50) (March 1 deadline)
• Fill out FAFSA (free application) 

Name: Flyer Promise
Application Deadline: December 1 
Amount: All of tuition plus up to $7,500 of the students' housing and meal plan charges.
Requirements:

• 3.0 high school GPA (can be weighted)
• Total family income of $75,000 or less (including non-custodial parents)
• Pell Grant Eligible (this is linked to Federal Financial Aid Application — FASFA)

Next Steps:

• Apply to the University of Dayton by December 1 (free application)
• Fill out your FAFSA application by December 1 (free application)
• If you meet the above criteria and deadlines, you'll be invited to interview in January before final determination of the scholarship award is made.
• No additional steps are required, you will be considered if you apply and meet the above requirements. 

45+ College Scholarships for Minority Students is published by Purdue University Global. This resource shares 45+ financial aid scholarships for prospective, undergraduate and graduate students to supplement the cost of their education. Find tips on how to apply for scholarships, as well as an extensive list of scholarships and grants. Also highlighted within the resource are opportunities dedicated to specific demographics such as African Americans, Asian Americans, Latino students and Native Americans. This resource will constantly be updated to ensure students can apply for the most accurate scholarships available.

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The Cincinnati Scholarship Foundation partners with businesses, foundations and individual donors to provide college scholarships to Greater Cincinnati area students.

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