There are many government and private organizations that offer scholarships for African-American males; you can get details about these programs from the financial aid office of your college or from your school counselor.
Statistics have indicated that dropout rates within the African-American community are comparatively high, as compared the other ethnic groups. There are different factors which contribute to this trend of discontinuation in education. The administration has recognized this and is making an effort to aid students from this community to get further education.
Not just the government, but the society around us is doing its bit by offering scholarships for African-American males, to help them with school and college education. There are many private and corporate scholarship funds which offer financial assistance for a variety of educational courses. Business organizations also have funds set aside, to help students get a good education, that will help them get gainful employment.
Federal Grants
There are several government grant programs that offer educational assistance to students from low income families. Federal Pell Grants offer students up to USD 5,500 per year for undergraduate study. You have to fill up the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
Then there is the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) grant, which is offered to students in their third and fourth year of undergraduate study. You can get up to USD 4,000 under this continuing education program. Another grant is the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant. This is for students who would like to teach in schools that serve students from low-income families. The award amount under this program can go up to USD 4,000.
Jackie Robinson Foundation
One of the avenues for scholarships, for African-American males in college, is the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF). It offers up to USD 7,500 per year award money for education. The JRF assists student planning to enroll in programs offered in accredited college or universities. The eligibility requirement for this scholarship includes submitting official academic transcripts, written essays, and letters of recommendation. A candidate applying for scholarship will also have to give a personal interview.
United Negro College Fund
There are 39 participating education institutes in the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) program, where African-American males could enroll for different education programs. The UNCF offers an online scholarship application form and you can also see the details of the participating institutes on their website. The eligibility criteria will vary for individual programs and so will the application process. There is also an easy scholarship application form, which will match you with different programs offered by participating colleges.
Science and Technology Scholarships
The Development Fund for Black Students in Science and Technology (DFBSST) helps students from the African-American community with further education in the field of science and technology. Students looking to study in historically African-American colleges and universities can apply for education scholarships. Eligible students can expect up to USD 2,000 for each year of a four-year program. Selection process consists of writing essays and submitting academic records.
Gates Millennium Scholars Program
Students looking to pursue education in disciplines like engineering, mathematics, science, public health, and computer science, can apply for the Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMSP). The eligibility criteria includes a cumulative high school GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or a GED. This program is offered to students from low-income families and those who meet the federal Pell grant criteria.
There are many non-profit organizations and church charities that offer scholarships for African-American males. So contact their offices near you. Most scholarship programs require students to submit recommendation letters. So keeping them ready, is also a good idea.