Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Scholarships

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) is committed to educational equity and leadership development through its scholarship programs. Each year, the Foundation awards over 300 scholarships to students across a wide range of academic disciplines and educational levels. These opportunities are designed to reduce financial barriers to education while empowering the next generation of leaders, creatives, policymakers, scientists, and professionals. For more than three decades the CBCF in partnership with CBC Spouses has awarded scholarships to talented and deserving students.

The CBCF Scholarship Landscape

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) offers a variety of scholarships, each with its own specific focus and eligibility criteria. These scholarships aim to support African-American or Black students in various fields of study, from visual and performing arts to law and business. Established in 1988, the CBC Spouses Education Scholarship was created in direct response to federal budget cuts to education programs-cuts that disproportionately affected communities of color. This scholarship was established in 1988 by the spouses of Congressional Black Caucus members to address the educational need in the congressional districts in response to federal cuts in spending for education programs and scholarships, which disproportionately affect people of color. This opportunity awards scholarships to academically talented and highly motivated African-American or Black students pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degrees in a variety of fields. The CBC Spouses Education Scholarship award is not renewable.

CBC Spouses Education Scholarship

Established in 1988, this scholarship supports academically talented and highly motivated African-American or Black students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degrees in various fields. The CBC Spouses Education Scholarship award is not renewable.

CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship

Established in 2006, this scholarship provides financial assistance to African American or Black students pursuing a degree in the visual arts.

Curtis Mayfield Scholarship

Established in 2000, in honor of the late Curtis Mayfield to ensure that African American or Black students pursuing a degree in the performing arts receive financial assistance.

Read also: Funding for Black Students

CBCF Law Scholarship

Established in 2021, this scholarship provides financial assistance to students pursuing a law degree. This scholarship award seeks to minimize the debt of higher education that plagues scholars after their completion of the professional degree program, with a goal of increasing the number of highly qualified and competitive law professionals entering the workforce.

CBCF Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Scholarship

This scholarship supports MBA students pursuing small business ownership through acquisition after graduation, promoting opportunities for financial advancement and business ownership. The Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA) programs at selected HBCUs are designed to help students acquire small businesses impacted by the “Silver Tsunami,” the mass retirement of small business owners in the baby boomer generation.

General Eligibility Requirements

While specific requirements may vary depending on the scholarship, some common eligibility criteria include:

Being an African-American or Black student
Demonstrating academic achievement
Exhibiting leadership ability
Showing a commitment to community service

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit several documents to be considered for a CBCF scholarship. These documents provide a comprehensive view of the applicant's academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities. The required documents typically include:

Transcript: Upload a legible copy of your current transcript in a PDF file. We must be able to read clearly the name of academic institution, student name and information, courses, grades and other information detailed on the transcript (unofficial accepted).
Resume: Upload resume (PDF Format) listing academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, honors, employment, community service, and special skills.
Letter of Recommendation: Upload letter of recommendation in PDF format submitted on formal, professional letterhead and include contact information.
Professional Photograph: Upload a recent professional headshot suitable for publication (does not have to be professionally taken). This photograph will be used in reports and biographies both internally and externally.

The CBC Spouses Essay Contest

The CBC Spouses Essay Contest is a unique academic opportunity tailored specifically for African-American and Black junior and senior high school students. Each year, qualified African-American and Black junior and senior high school students participate in the Essay Contest and Issue Forum. Students are presented with a topic that embodies some of our communities’ most pressing issues and are asked to write an essay to defend their research, analyses, and opinion. Students are given a topic that reflects some of the most pressing social, economic, or political challenges facing society today. Submissions are reviewed and judged by a special committee of CBC Spouses.

Read also: The Black List Internship

Representative Information

Applicants are required to identify their Congressional Representative based on their permanent address and academic institution's address. To determine your Representative, enter your permanent address zip code here. If more than one representative is shown, please enter your full address. Representative based on your academic institution's address. To determine your Representative, enter your academic institution's address zip code here. If more than one representative is shown, please enter your academic institution's full address.

The Impact of CBCF Scholarships

The impact of these scholarships goes far beyond financial assistance. Past recipients consistently highlight how CBCF support has enabled them to pursue lifelong learning, community service, and careers that improve lives globally. One past recipient shared: "It is truly an honor to be recognized for my hard work and community service…My legacy is one that will be measured by lifelong learning and a burning desire to serve humanity through the development and deliverance of ‘lifesaving’ medicines that are both safe and affordable, improving the quality of life for people around the world…I continue to use the knowledge that I have acquired leading towards a successful future. This could not have happened without the support from the CBC Spouses Education Scholarship."

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