LibGuides: Scholarship Resources: Diversity Scholarships

About this page

This page will share with you websites on where to apply for scholarships in Washington State and around the nation. Most scholarships accept applications during only part of the year, if a scholarship you are interested is not currently open please do some of the preparation to apply and make a note on your calendar of when the application period opens.

If you have any questions about this guide, please contact the Library staff at librarian@rtc.edu.

Diversity Scholarship Options

POISE Foundation: NAACP Scholarships
The POISE Foundation provides scholarship administration for the National NAACP Scholarship Program. Each year the NAACP, through generous donations, is able to provide scholarships to outstanding students.
Rehabs.org Scholarships for Minority/BIPOC Students Essay Contest
Rehabs.org offers a free scholarship contest for BIPOC college students. By providing financial assistance to help pay for books, tuition, or daily expenses, we hope to encourage more students of color to develop a passion for raising awareness about the risks and dangers associated with addiction.
An essay must be submitted with the application. In your own words, please answer the following questions in 500-700 words: Addiction is an illness notorious for high rates of recurrence and relapse. What might be done to reduce relapse risks for those in recovery? You might consider actions to be taken by those in recovery; their families and peers; healthcare providers; community members; local, state, or federal governments, and/or policymakers.
Resources & Scholarships for Black Students from EduMed.org
This website provides lists scholarship award programs for the Black community, gives tips on how to make your scholarship application shine, and offers additional resources that provide support to Black students from enrollment through graduation and beyond.
UNCF: Scholarships
UNCF is the nation’s largest private scholarship provider to minority group members. Each year, they award more than $100 million in scholarships to students attending more than 1,100 schools across the country, including the prestigious network of 37 HBCUs.
Point BIPOC Scholarship for LGBTQ students
Point Foundation offers LGBTQ scholarships for students attending accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. Point scholarships support community college, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students with additional scholarship opportunities for BIPOC students.

APIA Scholars
APIA Scholarships are open to undergraduate students currently attending or planning to attend 2-year or 4-year U.S. accredited colleges or universities. Scholarship amounts range from $2,500 one-year awards to $20,000 multi-year awards. APIA Scholars focuses on supporting students who live at or below the poverty line; are in the first generation of their family to attend college.
Seattle Japanese American Civil Liberties (JACL) Scholarships
Since 1921 the vision of the Japanese American Citizens League has been to be one of the nation’s preeminent organizations in the areas of multi-ethnic and multi-cultural understanding and civil and human rights. As a part of this vision, the JACL has offered scholarships to deserving young adults for many years.
Hawai'i Community Foundation Scholarships
The Hawai‘i Community Foundation is proud to have awarded millions of scholarship dollars to college students. Their current list of Hawai‘i associated scholarships contains information about 307 scholarships. Many of them are specific for residents of Hawai'i, and - as you know - Hawai’i is beautiful at this time of year.
Atsuhiko Tateuchi Memorial Scholarship (and more)
[On the second page of the site.] This is a $5000 scholarship for students who are residents of the Pacific Rim states (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington) who demonstrate hard work, dedication and sincerity. Students must have financial need and be of Japanese or other Asian ancestry, including multi-ethnic Asians. This program is for students pursuing a vocational or trade degree or certification (e.g. auto mechanics, carpentry, nursing, plumbing, electrician, manufacturing, HVAC, etc.). This site also has information about additional scholarships. [A simple registration is required to apply to any of their scholarships.]

Hispanic Scholarship Fund
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund empowers students and parents with the knowledge and resources - including career services, mentorship, leadership development, knowledge building, and wellness training - to successfully complete higher education. Scholarships range from $500-$5,000 and are awarded directly to students.
McDonald's HACER® National Scholarship Program
The McDonald's HACER® National Scholarship Program offers scholarships to up to 30 outstanding students from all over the country. The program provides educational opportunities and demonstrates McDonald’s long-standing commitment to feeding and fostering the communities it serves. There are three tiers of funds to help recipients finance their college tuition. Tier 1 recipients are awarded up to $100,000. Tier 2 recipients receive $20,000 or $10,000 and Tier 3 recipients receive $5,000. Recipients are selected based on their academic achievement, community involvement, personal statement and financial need.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Scholarships
Lack of funds is one of the most challenging difficulties facing Hispanic students pursuing their degrees. So, SHPE offers scholarships to assist Hispanic students to pursue a degree in a STEM field.

Intertribal Timber Council Scholarships
Scholarships for Native American students pursuing higher education in Natural Resources.
American Indian College Fund
The American Indian College Fund provides scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native college students who are enrolled in certificate, undergraduate, or graduate programs at tribal colleges and universities, or nonprofit, accredited schools.
Nez Perce Trail Foundation Annual Scholarships
The Nez Perce Trail Foundation offers scholarships to Native Americans each year. Details and requirements can be found on the application for each year in the spring. (All applications are due each year on July 15.)
Indian Health Services Scholarship Program
The IHS Scholarship Program provides qualified American Indian and Alaska Native health professions students an opportunity to establish an educational foundation for each stage of their pre-professional careers. If you envision a career with a true purpose and mission, Indian health programs are looking for people like you. The scholarship program provides financial support in exchange for a minimum two-year service commitment within an Indian health program in your chosen health professional discipline.

Human Rights Campaign, LGBTQ+ Student Scholarship Database
This website is a list of scholarships, fellowships and grants for LGBTQ+ and allied students at both the undergraduate and graduate-level. This list is not exhaustive and we are always looking for more scholarships.
Pride Foundation Scholarships
Pride Foundation provides essential financial resources and community support to LGBTQ+ student leaders across the Northwest. Since awarding our first scholarship in 1993, we’ve awarded more than $8.5 million to more than 2,400 students in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. [60+ scholarships. 1 application.]
Point Foundation, the LGBTQ Scholarship Fund
Point Foundation offers LGBTQ scholarships for students attending accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. Point scholarships support community college, undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students with additional scholarship opportunities for BIPOC students.

Air Force Aid Society Education Support
Higher Education is a key to advancement and future success. Dependent children and spouses of Airmen and Guardians can work toward their dreams of a college degree with AFAS education grants, scholarships and loans. Please review the different opportunities below, and each program’s individual eligibility criteria, to find the one that is right for you.
Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship Program
The Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship Program provides grants to women soldiers, past and present, and their lineal descendants, to help them attain their educational goals. The AWF Legacy Scholarship Program offers financial support in four areas: Certificate Programs, Community College coursework, Undergraduate Degrees, and Graduate Degrees. Scholarships are awarded only for coursework from accredited institutions. Scholarships are based on merit, academic potential, personal essay, community service, letters of recommendation, and financial need.

50+ College Scholarships for Minority Students
Scroll down for the list of Scholarships and more financial aid information. Information for specific demographics, such as African Americans, Asian Americans, Latino Students, Native Americans, and more.
The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund provides financial support for students who are active and emerging organizers in progressive movements for liberation, self-determination and social and economic justice in their communities. These need-based scholarships are awarded to students who are enrolled at a college or university or in a trade or technical program. In order to be eligible for the Davis Putter Scholarship, you need to be involved in movements for progressive social change, enrolled in a degree, trade or training program, and have financial need.
Gates Millennium Scholars
The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program was established to provide outstanding African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline area of interest.
Continuing Gates Millennium Scholars may request funding for a graduate degree program in one of the following discipline areas: computer science, education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health or science.
Palmer Scholars
Palmer Scholars exists to bridge the gap between POTENTIAL and OPPORTUNITY for young adults of color in Pierce County.
Palmer Scholars was created to address the societal inequities that prevent otherwise highly capable young adults of color from achieving their dreams and ending generational cycles of poverty.