United Negro College Fund Need-Based Grant

Name: UNCF Need-Based Grant Program

Award Amount: Varies

Information And Eligibility:
The UNCF Need-Based Grant Program, administered by the United Negro College Fund, is part of UNCF’s broad portfolio of scholarships, grants, and financial-aid awards. As the nation’s largest private scholarship provider to minority students, UNCF grants more than $100 million annually to over 12,000 students at more than 1,100 schools — including the 37 member Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The Need-Based Grant is intended for students who demonstrate significant financial need, often to cover unmet cost-of-attendance gaps after federal and institutional aid has been applied. Funds can be used for tuition, fees, books, housing, or other education-related expenses. Because award amounts vary based on individual financial need and institutional cost of attendance, there is no fixed dollar amount listed — the grant is tailored to each student’s situation. UNCF encourages all qualifying students who are accepted or enrolled at eligible institutions to apply.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be enrolled full-time at a college or university — many awards target students at UNCF member institutions.
• Demonstrate financial need (as verified by FAFSA or institutional financial aid office)
• Maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA (on a 4.0 scale) unless otherwise specified by the specific grant program.
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible permanent resident — UNCF scholarships typically target underrepresented minority students, but eligibility is not strictly limited by race or ethnicity.

Application Requirements:

• Complete the UNCF online application via the UNCF Scholarships portal
• Submit FAFSA or other financial-need documentation as required by the college’s financial aid office
• Provide official academic transcripts verifying GPA and enrollment status
• Complete any additional requirements specified by the specific UNCF grant or scholarship program — some may require essays or other supplemental information.

Additional Details:

• UNCF distributes a variety of grants, scholarships, and fellowships — need-based, merit-based, and hybrid — depending on student background, major, and financial need.
• The Need-Based Grant can be used at many colleges and universities, though priority is given to students at UNCF member HBCUs.
• UNCF supports a wide range of degree programs — including undergraduate, graduate, professional, and doctoral studies — depending on the specific grant or scholarship program.
• Awards are renewable if eligibility criteria (enrollment status, financial need, GPA) are maintained and annual re-application requirements (if any) are met.

Deadline: Varies by grant/scholarship cycle — check the UNCF website for current application periods.

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