Scholarships
Scholarships and Internships
Read this College Guide for Black & African American Students to learn more about resources for support.
We have assembled a list of scholarships, internships, and research tools that you may find helpful for financing and enhancing your academic journey. The opportunities presented here are a mix of those open to all students and those intended to benefit students of African descent. All are designed to help you reach your goals.
Keep in mind that each program will have its own guidelines and deadlines. If you need help tracking down or applying for scholarships and internships, our staff is always happy to help you with that process. Stop by the African Student Programs office at 133 Costo Hall, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. or give us a call.
There are lots of ways to finance your academic journey and expand your skillset along the way. We can help you find key scholarships and real-world experience opportunities that will help you reach your goals. The list below is updated once a quarter and each program/scholarship has their own respective deadlines. Feel free to contact any of our professional staff members for more information.
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UCR-Specific Scholarship and Internships
These opportunities are specifically for UCR students:
Tilga Scholarship
Are you interested in doing a professional internship but worried about covering your living expenses? Good news! The Division of Undergraduate Education, in partnership with UCR Foundation Board Trustee Wally Bakare and Provost Elizabeth Watkins, is offering grants of up to $6000 each to students who secure a professional internship. These grants are being offered through the Tilga EXCEL+ Program Internship Fund. Students in all majors are eligible to apply but funding is limited, so apply soon! Applicants must be a UCR undergraduate in good academic standing; have a signed offer letter for a professional internship; and complete a brief application (apply here) that includes an explanation of the financial barriers to participating in the internship. Strong candidates will have demonstrated a commitment to their own professionalization, and preference will be given to those already participating in the EXCEL+ Leadership and Career Readiness Program.
Elma Vines Summer Internship and Testing Grants
The JW Vines Medical Foundation has a working relationship with UCR student organization African Americans United in Science (AAUS). They offer a competitive six-week summer internship program that gives 6-12 students the chance to shadow physicians and health care professionals with an associated grant. PowerPoint presentations are required along with student and mentor evaluations. The summer shadowing experience provides students with a unique opportunity to develop a lasting relationship with key mentors. The foundation also provides need-driven grants so that students may take the MCAT, GRE and similar standardized tests. The foundation also offers skills preparation for interviews, transportation assistance, grooming tips and interview techniques as well. You can reach the JW Vines Medical Foundation at 951-801-2365, or email AAUS at AAUS.ucr@gmail.com for more information.
Latosha K. Wallace Scholarship for PATH Students
Eligible students must be full-time UCR undergraduate or graduate students, have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and retain that GPA for the entire year of the award. Students must have lived in the Pan African Theme Hall (PATH)for one quarter and must have shown involvement in the PATH community by participating in programs and activities as well as shown leadership by participating in outreach programs, tours, hall tutoring and study groups. Students must have been involved in at least one UCR campus group or organization and at least one community service project while at UCR. A one-page essay on the importance of promoting unity among UCR students is required as well as three letters of recommendation from a: UCR faculty member; PATH resident; and parent, guardian or mentor. If you are interested in applying for the Latosha K. Wallace Scholarship please send an email to kelsey.shook@ucr.edu.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
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Christein Johnson Scholarship Award
In partnership with the UCR Black Alumni Chapter, Christein is awarding $1,000 (of her personal funds) to assist one resilient Black UCR undergraduate student as they continue to strive for personal excellence in the face of adversity. Contact ASP for details on how and when to apply.
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General Scholarships
These are general scholarship opportunities that are not field-of-study-specific. Some are open to all applicants; others are designed to specifically benefit students of African descent.
- honors.ucr.edu
- Burger King Scholarship Program (general and employee track, open to all)
- Coca-Cola Scholars Program (general, open to all)
- Rhodes Scholarships at Oxford (general, open to all)
- The Roothbert Scholarship Fund (general open to all)
- The Sheila Madison & Associates Personal and Professional Development Scholarship (general, specifically for African-American college students)
- Siemens Westinghouse Merit Scholarship (for children of Siemens employees)
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Liberal Arts Scholarships
- INROADS internships (paid internships at top companies for students of color)
- William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship for Minority Students (an internship with leading global health organization PSI in Washington DC; nonprofit, philanthropic, social sector; for college students of color)
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Math, Science and Technology Scholarships
- ACS SCI Scholars Internship Program
- ACT-SO Olympics of the Mind (cultural, technological, and scientific Olympics; for African American students)
- Actuarial Scholarships for Minority Students
- Blacks at Microsoft Scholarship Program (for engineering, computer science, computer information systems, finance, business administration and marketing students; specifically, high school seniors of African descent)
- Gates Millennium Scholarships (students in computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health and the sciences; for African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American and Hispanic American students entering college for the first time)
- Siemens Westinghouse Competition (contest for math, science and technology students, open to all)
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More Scholarship, Internship and Financial Aid Tools
- Aid & Resources For Re-Entry Students
- Ayn Rand Essay Scholarships (Ayn Rand essay contest for high school and college students)
- Black Alliance for Educational Options (educational support organization for African American students)
- Black Excel (federal aid and scholarship gateways for African American students)
- The Christophers Poster and Video Contests, Scholarships and Internships (art and film competitions and nonprofit/communication internships, open to all)
- College Board Scholarship Search
- Colorado State University Black/African American Culture Center (a gateway to multiple African American scholarship opportunities)
- FAFSA On The Web (Your Key Aid Form & Info)
- FinAid: The Smart Students Guide to Financial Aid Scholarships
- "Guaranteed” Scholarships (require no interview, essay, portfolio, audition, competition or other secondary requirement)
- National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Scholarships and Internships (college students, must be a member of NABJ)
- Office of Multicultural Affairs at the University of Chicago (a gateway to multiple minority student scholarships and fellowship opportunities)
- Scholarships and Resources for Minority Students
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Sports Scholarships
- NCAA Sports Scholarships and Grants (sports, open to all)
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Study Abroad Scholarships
- HBCU Packard SIT Study Abroad (scholarships for study around the world)
- IES Abroad (offers diversity scholarships (for those who want to study abroad)
- International Education Financial Aid (study abroad scholarships and financial aid help for US and international Students)
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Veterinary Medicine Scholarships
- Saul T. Wilson Scholarship (veterinary, open to all)