Frequently Asked Questions
1) Who is eligible for an America's Black Collegians
scholarship?
All Black students who are currently enrolled
or plan to attend college will be eligible. Students can
be at either
the undergraduate or graduate level in any field of study. Professional, career,
and trade schools will also be considered. Students must exhibit academic success,
community involvement and strong personal character.
2) How can I obtain a scholarship award?
There are four categories: Sponsor, Personal Achievement,
Essay and ABC Club. Under the "Sponsor Organization" program, scholarship
awards will be available to Black students who have demonstrated academic success
and a significant contribution to their local community. The winners of these
awards will be selected by each sponsor organization. Grants will also be made
to applicants who have shown an ability to overcome adversity and accept challenge
in the "Personal Achievement" category. The essay award will be an
open competition and membership in the ABC Club will be the only qualification
for entry in the ABC Club Scholarship Sweepstakes. All award winners will be
authenticated through verification of their eligibility.
3) How can I get information on the different
programs?
Details on the essay competition and personal achievement awards will be available
in June 2000 on this web page. Membership in the ABC Club can be done by clicking
on the ABC Club in the Directory. Sponsor organization awards are discussed
in detail in the scholarship selection section. Any unanswered questions can
also be sent to us by e-mail or in
writing. Our mailing address is:
America's Black Collegians
P.O. Box 19776
Baltimore, MD 21225
4) Can my organization select a scholarship candidate?
Your organization or group can apply for scholarship sponsorship. Candidates
for sponsorship include community-based nonprofits, churches, and professional
and social organizations. Award winners will be primarily selected from those
submitted by sponsors. The selection of candidates will be at the sole discretion
of the qualifying sponsor organizations.
5) How much money is available for scholarships?
The size of the scholarship pool will depend on the number of people choosing
America's Black Collegians sponsors for their products and services. The potential
scholarship pool exceeds $100 million annually. All of the people who support
Black Higher Education can act in concert to easily exceed that level. Black
Americans and other supporters of Black Higher Education spend more than $500
billion annually for consumer products and services. This amount is significantly
increased when business purchases are included. If one penny out of every $10
spent were directed into the scholarship fund, the amount of college awards
would exceed $500 million.
6) Are scholarships one time, or renewable?
Award winners will be selected semi-annually based on the submission of sponsors.
Every attempt will be made to include applicants from as many organizations
across the country as possible. Each award is one time but there is no limit
to the number of applications an organization may submit.
7) If I am not able to be sponsored, is there any way I can apply directly
for a scholarship?
A portion of the scholarship fund is being set aside for people not affiliated
with program scholarship sponsors. These awards will be granted on an annual
basis to individuals exhibiting high personal achievement and/or success and
determination in overcoming adversity. There is also the opportunity for an
ABC Club scholarship and the essay competition.
8) Who makes the scholarship decision?
The sponsor awards are selected by the sponsor organizations. The other awards
will be made by a panel composed of representatives of America's Black Collegians,
community organizations, educators and the corporate marketing partners.
9) How often will scholarships be awarded and what is the payment process?
Scholarship awards will be made for the Fall and Spring semesters. Based on
the submission of verification, checks will be issued directly to the college
or university jointly in the name of the student and the institution. Failure
to matriculate will result in the loss of funds.
10) What is the America's Black Collegians Club?
The ABC Club is a free membership organization that provides special discounts
and rebates on selected products and services. Other benefits will include the ABC
Newsletter which provides useful information on scholarships, grants, employment,
training, and career development.
11) How do I join the America's Black Collegians Club?
Any visitor to our web site can join. There is no cost and the only requirement
is that club members support and strongly believe in the value of Black Higher
Education.