Scholarships can be a saving grace for motivated individuals who need financial assistance to receive their education. They alleviate the burden on the students, helping them have more time to study instead of worrying about repayment.

For women of color, numerous scholarships from organizations, colleges, and universities are created specifically for them. Their main goal is to provide more opportunities and uplift minorities, primarily by removing the burden of paying for tuition, books, lodging, and other fees and allowing them to focus on a bright future.

Here are some of the best scholarships for women of color that you should consider applying for:

1. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

Application Deadline: Every July | Amount of Award: $2,000 to $3,000

The NAACP offers need-based and merit-based scholarships for Black students for undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The organization seeks to help African-American women with leadership potential and exemplary achievement.

To be granted a scholarship, be a member of the NAACP, and have a GPA of at least 3.0 or above the 4.0 system.

2. QuestBridge

Application Deadline: Every September | Amount of Award: Full Tuition

QuestBridge is a non-profit organization that focuses on connecting low-income students with high achievements, especially first-generation individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In this program, the recipient gets funding for full four years in college, but they also offer career opportunities for their futures.

3. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program

Application Deadline: Every December | Amount of Award: Up to $42,000

The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) offers opportunities for minorities aiming to study master’s and doctorate degrees related to marine biology, oceanography, and other sciences targeted at supporting coastal areas.

Master’s students may receive support for two years of education, while doctoral students can receive a scholarship for the full four years.

4. Illustrating Awesomeness Scholarship

Application Deadline: Every December | Amount of Award: $750

Next Day Animations offer the Illustrating Awesomeness Scholarship for women of color who are passionate about changing the world. This scholarship is meant for undergraduate students, and the amount they receive will be put toward their spring semester expenses. Every December, Next Day Animations provide this award to four women in arts.

5. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

Application Deadline: Every April | Amount of Award: $1,000 to $5,000

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute offers scholarships to Latino students that exhibit leadership qualities and are passionate about public service in their communities. They don’t look at GPAs; they focus on community leadership, civic engagement, and public service. The institute cares about finding people who genuinely care, want to get involved, and see themselves in this field in the future.

6. Gates Millennium Scholars Program

Application Deadline: Every January | Amount of Award: Varies

Since 1999, Bill & Melinda Gates has supported outstanding African American, American Indian-Alaska Natives, Asian Pacific Islander Americans, and Hispanic American students through the Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) program.

This program was created to help thousands of students with significant financial needs but high academic and leadership promise. This opportunity is open for numerous disciplines — from computer science and engineering to public health and sciences.

Final Thoughts

An extensive selection of scholarships is available to help multicultural undergraduate and graduate students. The ones mentioned in this article are simply a few, so women of color with goals and dreams should continue their research to find the perfect one.

For more free scholarships and education-related resources, explore the rest of Go Degree today!