Paying for college can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re juggling work, family responsibilities, or a tight budget. If you’re a Black student or planning to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), the financial aid research process can add an extra layer of stress. With that in mind, here’s an easy-to-scan guide designed to help you figure out which awards you may qualify for in the coming months.  

FAFSA: The Fastest Way to Unlock More Aid

First: start with the FAFSA to unlock federal, state, and school-based aid.Think of the FAFSA as your entry ticket to federal grants, work-study, and many scholarships. The 2026–27 FAFSA is live, and the federal deadline is June 30, 2027; many states and schools set earlier priority dates, so file ASAP. Start at the official Federal Student Aid site—not a third-party site—to avoid scams.  

Black Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines (2026)

As a next step, apply for scholarships aligned with your background, major, and pathway.This list of scholarships for Black and African American students is sourced from Scholarships.com and features upcoming scholarship deadlines in 2026, with a focus on spring and early-year opportunities students can still apply for. Scholarships are sorted by deadlines to help students prioritize applications and maximize funding opportunities.  

For details on any specific award, head over to the official Scholarships.com listing. Amounts, eligibility requirements, and deadlines can change yearly, so always verify each program’s official website before applying. 

HBCU Scholarships for 2026

If you’re planning to attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in 2026, this curated list from Fastweb highlights key HBCU scholarships, grants, and financial aid opportunities with upcoming deadlines and award amounts.  

For details on any specific award, head over to the official Fastweb listing. Amounts, eligibility requirements, and deadlines can change yearly, so always verify each program’s official website before applying. 

Simple, Low-Stress Scholarship Strategies (That Actually Work)

• Apply across sizes. Smaller awards ($500–$3,000) often have fewer applicants and can cover books, lab fees, or housing deposits; they stack with bigger awards. (Use curated lists to spot these quickly.)  
• Recycle your best lines. Many prompts ask about leadership, goals, or community impact—reuse, then tailor. 
• Schedule “application blocks.” Two 30-minute sessions per week beat a last-minute scramble. 
• Lean on official descriptions. For specialized scholarships, reference the program’s exact language and verify eligibility on the official website before submitting your application. 

Beyond Scholarships: Free, Trusted Resources

• Federal Student Aid (Official FAFSA Hub) – Start, edit, or review your FAFSA; see deadlines; and use the estimator for potential aid.  
• Alumni & community groups—Regional HBCU alumni alliances often post new scholarships and mentoring opportunities; check out the National HBCU Alumni Alliance portal for updates and links out to local chapters.  
• Avoiding Student Aid Scams—A plain language overview with scam avoidance tips.