The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is the oldest and largest higher educational assistance organization for African-American men and women. Through fund-raisers, the United Negro College Fund provides grants to Black students. In the past 65 years, the UNCF has raised more than $3 billion and has helped more than 350,000 students attend and graduate from college. In addition to grants, the UNCF offers scholarships and loans to African-American students who qualify.
There are 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States today. Many of these HBCUs offer grant programs to African-American men and women who need it. For example, Howard University, a historically Black university, offers the Frederick Douglass and Mordecai Wyatt Johnson grant programs to incoming freshmen. Also, Spelman College, a historically Black liberal arts college for women, provides grants and financial assistance to African-American women based on merit.
There are also subject-specific grants available to African-American women who qualify. The National Black Nursing Association offers $500 to $2,000 grants to African-American women who enter into four-year nursing programs. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants offers grants to minority students (men and women) who are enrolled full-time in undergraduate accounting and finance programs. The ABAFAZI-AFRICANA Women's Studies awards a $400 grant to two African-American women enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs. The Minority Teacher Incentive Program awards $5,000 each year to minority undergraduate students. Students must be juniors or seniors majoring in education.