158 years ago, Juneteenth began as a day of celebration as Union Army troops let Texas slaves know they were free—President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation! As news of this positive change spread, southern Black Americans celebrated the freedom they now had as Juneteenth (also known as Emancipation Day) ended slavery in the United States.
JUMP TO JUNETEENTH SCHOLARSHIPS
While Juneteenth celebrations continued for decades in the U.S., it was just a few years ago—June 17, 2021—when President Joe Biden proclaimed Juneteenth as a National Independence Day.
Juneteenth is the newest federal holiday since Martin Luther King Day (MLK Day) was named a national holiday in 1983. It is a day symbolic of hope, perseverance, and possibilities. Honoring Juneteenth, Fastweb is proud to feature the below scholarships for African Americans:
Available to: Undergraduate Students
Award Amount: $3,000 The DFBSST Scholarship is available to African - American undergraduate students enrolled at predominately Black colleges and universities. You must be majoring in a scientific or technical field of study and demonstrate financial need to be eligible for this award.
Available to: High School Seniors & College Freshmen
Award Amount: $2,500 - $5,000 The Toledo Buffalo Soldiers MC Scholarship is available to high school seniors and college freshmen. You must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be eligible for this award.
Available to: Undergraduate & Graduate Students
Award Amount: $10,000 The Black Winemakers Scholarship is available to African - American junior, senior, and graduate students. You must have a minimum 3.2 GPA to be eligible for this award. Undergraduate students must be majoring in viticulture or enology. Graduate students must be pursuing an advanced degree in agriculture and environmental chemistry, chemical engineering, ecology, food science, integrative genetics and genomics, horticulture and agronomy, microbiology, plant pathology, soils and biogeochemistry, or viticulture. Preference is given to students attending Florida A&M University, Tuskegee University, Prairie View University, & Kentucky State University.
Available to: College Freshmen
Award Amount: Varies The Annie Ibok Scholarship is available to rising college freshmen who are attending HBCUs. You must be a resident of Washington State or California and have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award. Priority is given to recent high school graduates.
Available to: 29 years of age and under
Award Amount: $50,000 The Sphinx Competition is open to Black and Latinx classical string players under the age of 30. To be considered, you must submit a video audition in one of the following categories: violin, viola, cello, or double bass.
Award Amount: Varies The UNCF General Scholarship is available to full - time undergraduate and graduate students attending a UNCF member college or university. You must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be eligible for this award.
Available to: Undergraduate Students
Award Amount: $10,000 The Geico HBCU Changemaker Award is available to students who are National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) members. You must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be eligible for this award. Selection is based on academic merit, leadership, and service. The Changemaker Award is presented to a student who is using their talents to make a change on their campus or in their community.
Award Amount: Full-Tuition The Nearest Green Legacy Scholarship is available to first - time college students. You must be a direct descendant of Nathan "Nearest" Green and have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award.
Available to: Undergraduate Students
Award Amount: Full-Tuition The Morgan Stanley HBCU Scholars Program is open to students attending Howard University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. Eligible students will be invited to apply through their schools.
Available to: Undergraduate & Graduate Students
Award Amount: $10,000 The Juneteenth Freedom Scholarship is available to full-time HBCU students. To be considered, you must tag the Juneteenth Foundation in an Instagram reel describing what Juneteenth means to you. This scholarship has expired. Check back next year to apply for this scholarship! In the meantime check out the 2021 Freedom Scholarship winner, Malik Carter's Instagram Reel below.Volunteer in your community. Make Juneteenth a day of service. Connect with organizations and causes that mean a lot to you. Choosing the way you want to give back is a great way to express the freedom Juneteenth symbolizes.
Visit an African American history museum. Hear the stories of Black scientists, baseball players and others that paved the way for America—despite racism and inequality.
Share your favorite Juneteenth quotes. Consider making a sign with the Juneteenth quote that means the most to you. Display it in a window, your yard, or connect with a local business to see if they would display your creation. If you'd like to avoid the crafty part, share a Juneteenth quote via your social media feeds.
Participate in a local Juneteenth festival. Want to get out of the house to meet new people for the Juneteenth holiday? A quick "Juneteenth events near me" Google search will highlight Juneteenth parades and events close to your home.
Fly an official Juneteenth flag. The Juneteenth flag was created in 1997, according to Oprah Daily. While its colors still remain red, white, and blue, the design was recently enhanced. The Juneteenth freedom flag is packed with meaning.
Educate yourself on the symbolism and meanings behind the arc, star, burst and flag colors; you may have the chance to share this with people that ask about the flag's meaning—what a great way to honor and spread the meaning of Juneteenth!
Juneteenth 2023 Scholarships
Development Fund for Black Students in Science and Technology Scholarship
Deadline: 6/15/23Available to: Undergraduate Students
Award Amount: $3,000 The DFBSST Scholarship is available to African - American undergraduate students enrolled at predominately Black colleges and universities. You must be majoring in a scientific or technical field of study and demonstrate financial need to be eligible for this award.
Toledo Buffalo Soldiers MC Scholarship
Deadline: 7/1/23Available to: High School Seniors & College Freshmen
Award Amount: $2,500 - $5,000 The Toledo Buffalo Soldiers MC Scholarship is available to high school seniors and college freshmen. You must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be eligible for this award.
Black Winemakers Scholarship
Deadline: 7/20/23Available to: Undergraduate & Graduate Students
Award Amount: $10,000 The Black Winemakers Scholarship is available to African - American junior, senior, and graduate students. You must have a minimum 3.2 GPA to be eligible for this award. Undergraduate students must be majoring in viticulture or enology. Graduate students must be pursuing an advanced degree in agriculture and environmental chemistry, chemical engineering, ecology, food science, integrative genetics and genomics, horticulture and agronomy, microbiology, plant pathology, soils and biogeochemistry, or viticulture. Preference is given to students attending Florida A&M University, Tuskegee University, Prairie View University, & Kentucky State University.
Annie Ibok Scholarship
Deadline: 7/31/23Available to: College Freshmen
Award Amount: Varies The Annie Ibok Scholarship is available to rising college freshmen who are attending HBCUs. You must be a resident of Washington State or California and have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award. Priority is given to recent high school graduates.
Sphinx Competition
Deadline: 10/23/23Available to: 29 years of age and under
Award Amount: $50,000 The Sphinx Competition is open to Black and Latinx classical string players under the age of 30. To be considered, you must submit a video audition in one of the following categories: violin, viola, cello, or double bass.
UNCF General Scholarship
Deadline: 3/28/24 Available to: Undergraduate & Graduate StudentsAward Amount: Varies The UNCF General Scholarship is available to full - time undergraduate and graduate students attending a UNCF member college or university. You must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be eligible for this award.
Geico HBCU Changemaker Award
Deadline: VariesAvailable to: Undergraduate Students
Award Amount: $10,000 The Geico HBCU Changemaker Award is available to students who are National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) members. You must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to be eligible for this award. Selection is based on academic merit, leadership, and service. The Changemaker Award is presented to a student who is using their talents to make a change on their campus or in their community.
Nearest Green Legacy Scholarship
Deadline: Varies Available to: College FreshmenAward Amount: Full-Tuition The Nearest Green Legacy Scholarship is available to first - time college students. You must be a direct descendant of Nathan "Nearest" Green and have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award.
Morgan Stanley HBCU Scholars Program
Deadline: VariesAvailable to: Undergraduate Students
Award Amount: Full-Tuition The Morgan Stanley HBCU Scholars Program is open to students attending Howard University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. Eligible students will be invited to apply through their schools.
Juneteenth Freedom Scholarship
Deadline: 5/31/22Available to: Undergraduate & Graduate Students
Award Amount: $10,000 The Juneteenth Freedom Scholarship is available to full-time HBCU students. To be considered, you must tag the Juneteenth Foundation in an Instagram reel describing what Juneteenth means to you. This scholarship has expired. Check back next year to apply for this scholarship! In the meantime check out the 2021 Freedom Scholarship winner, Malik Carter's Instagram Reel below.
