Some organizations that offer scholarships to black women are: the United Negro Fund, which offers most of their scholarships through black colleges; the Jeanette Rankin Foundation Grants for Low-Income Women, which offers scholarships for black women who live in high-poverty areas and demonstrate a vision that will change society; and the NANBPWC that provides scholarships to black women whose interests lie in business and entrepreneurial studies.
Many scholarships offered to black women are based on the geographical location of the applicant, the age and sometimes the type of degree the applicant is seeking.
While there isn't a specific date to when the first scholarship for black women was offered, one of the oldest and earliest opportunities came from the Washington State Federation of Colored Women which assisted black women with scholarships in the 1900s.
Thirty-seven percent of black men are enrolled in college, according to a survey reported on MSNBC. This number is weighed against the 42 percent of black women who attend college and hold higher retention rates, therefore strengthening the need for more scholarships directed for black females.
When seeking scholarship opportunities for African-American females should check the financial aid department of the college they are interested in attending, books that reference black colleges for women and Fastweb.com, which allows you to create a profile based on your needs (see Resources section below).