Black History Month brings new scholarships
Threa Almontaser | Staff Writer
Every year, various organizations award scholarships to deserving students who meet their criteria. This year, there are four great opportunities created specifically for African-American students.
These scholarships are being given in accordance with the upcoming Black History Month. They’re usually based for African-American students and are made to motivate the following generations of Black history creators and to help them afford a good education.
Companies such as Coca-Cola and Frito Lay participate in these scholarship programs, hoping to provide students more opportunity and lower tuition.
Kamaria Fyffe, a junior studying English, says, “I think scholarships are really helpful for minority students in general, not just African-Americans. It’s a good way to encourage them to go to college.”
The Frito-Lay “Create to Celebrate” Black History Month Art Contest asks applicants to submit an original artwork on any medium that celebrates African-American achievement in history. The grand prize is $10,000 dollars, with second and third place prices of $5,000 and $2,500 dollars.
“African American scholarships aren’t broadcasted as much as others. You need to hear about them from somebody, unlike others that are non-African American related,” said Daisha Johnson, a freshman studying animal science. Johnson went to a predominantly white high school, where she says she had to talk to a specific person just to find out more about scholarships for minorities.
The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program gives students up to $25,000 that excel in the classroom, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program and other related fields.
They look for community leaders and dedicated, inspiring students. This program wants to “support the pursuit of academic disciplines that will help drive global innovation and economic growth in the 21st century.” Distinctive consideration is awarded to first-generation students, females and minorities.
Anieka Dickens, a grad student in the Master of Public Administration program, says, “These scholarships help a lot when trying to reach out to kids who ordinarily would not be going to college. It instills diversity from lower impoverished areas into the universities.”
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation/General Mills Health Scholarship Program is open to both graduate students and undergraduate that have a focus in medicine and nutrition-related studies. Applicants must have at least a 2.75 GPA and can receive up to $2,000 dollars out of the 46 that plan to be granted this year.
Some of the deadlines are in January, but most of these scholarships have end submission dates in February, so hurry and apply!