The NAACP scholarship is a scholarship founded by the NAACP which is the acronym for National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. It is the oldest, largest and strongest civil rights organization in the United States. The vision of the NAACP is to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without racial discrimination.
Since its inception in 1909, NAACP has taken an active role in providing equitable educational opportunities to outstanding Black students who demonstrate academic excellence and early signs of leadership and commitment to social justice. Its goal is to ensure these students receive education to help them achieve success in school, work and in their life in general.
Through the NAACP Scholars and Professionals: Internships, Ready Youth and Employment (N-SPIRE) program, NAACP partners with several organizations to offer a wide range of scholarship opportunities across the country. Every year, it provides need-based and merit scholarships to qualified Black students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees as part of the Inspire Initiatives program.
NAACP scholarship requirements
To qualify for any of the scholarships offered by the NAACP, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria;
- Getting a scholarship from NAACP is exclusive to only members of their organization. Anyone who wishes to clinch any of these scholarships must join the organization.
- Must be an African American or person of color.
- Must be a U.S citizen.
- Must be currently enrolled full time or accepted to an accredited college or university in the U.S.
- Must be a graduating high school senior, undergraduate student, or graduate student.
- Must possess a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 system.
- Must demonstrate interest in a relevant field of study where applicable.
NAACP membership required
To clinch any of these scholarships, membership to the NAACP is required.
NAACP membership is categorized into three sections namely: The Regular Annual membership, Lifetime membership and the Corporate membership. Everyone aspiring to be a member of the NAACP is encouraged to choose a membership type that best fits the individual’s person..
For any additional questions regarding NAACP membership, please contact the Membership Department at members@naacpnet.org, or call 866-636-2227.
11 Different NAACP scholarship awards
NAACP provides financial scholarships and internship programs to outstanding students, professionals, and branches and units. There are a wide variety of scholarships offered by the NAACP.
Find them listed in the table below:
| S/N | NAACP Scholarship | Scholarship description | NAACP Scholarship amount | Number of awards | Additional requirements |
| 1. | Agnes Jones Jackson scholarship | This scholarship was created to honor Agnes Jones Jackson who was a long-time NAACP member from the San Francisco branch.It is a non-renewable scholarship opportunity. | $2000 | 22 | Must be under the age of 25 at the time of application for the scholarship |
| 2. | ‘All-American: Homecoming’ Grand Slam HBCU Scholarship | This scholarship is a non-renewable scholarship opportunity sponsored by the Warner Bros. Television Group. | $10,000 | 10 | No additional requirements |
| 3. | Building Beautiful Futures Scholarship | This is powered by Dark & Lovely. It is a renewable scholarship for four years | $10,000 | 2 | The scholarship is renewable under the condition that the student maintains a GPA of 2.7 or higher |
| 4. | Empowering a Better Tomorrow Scholarship | This scholarship is powered by Walmart and is intended for those who have been convicted or incarcerated, but have completed their sentence and desire to further their education as they enter back into society. It is a non-renewable scholarship given to ex-convicts who display qualities of leadership, commitment to change and a desire to give back to the society. | $5000 | 20 | * Applicant must be released from incarceration and/or recently convicted but not sentenced for a crime * Applicant will be enrolled in the Fall semester of 2022 at a public 4-year, 2-year, community college, trade school, or other public educational institution * Applicant must have no serious disciplinary measures meted out to him within the past 12 months * Applicant must have applied for and received all federal, state, and other grants and loans that are available to them |
| 5. | Hubertus W. V. Willems Scholarship | This scholarship is one of the scholarships available for Black male students through the NAACP’s Inspire Initiatives. It is non-renewable | $3000 | 25 | This scholarship is available for only those interested in pursuing a career in the field of engineering, chemistry, physics, and/or mathematical sciences |
| 6. | James Weldon Johnson Scholarship | It is a non-renewable scholarship powered by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. It honors the late James Weldon Johnson, who was a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc and a long-time member and Executive Director of the NAACP from 1920-1930. | $1500 | 15 | No additional requirements |
| 7. | Katherine McIntyre Scholarship | It is a non-renewable scholarship available for Black students pursuing their undergraduate degrees. | $3000 | 25 | No additional requirements |
| 8. | The NAACP Creative Sole Scholarship | This scholarship is renewable for four years and is powered by Vans | $5000 | 4 | * Scholarship is renewable on the condition that student maintain a GPA of 2.7 or higher *Applicants must demonstrate interest in the creative fields (i.e., art, music, journalism, marketing, design, communications, architecture, or film as examples) |
| 9. | The NAACP x Society Awards Scholarship | This scholarship is not a renewable scholarship opportunity. It offers three awards that total $8000 to recipients who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher | First: $5,000Second: $2,000Third: $1,000Total: $8000 | 3 | Students must demonstrate interest in pursuing a career in the visual/performing arts field of study (i.e., film, theater, fashion, photography, graphic design, dance, music, journalism, or mass communications as examples). |
| 10. | Uplift Scholarship | It is a non-renewable scholarship. | $10,000 | 30 | No additional requirements |
| 11. | Write Her Future Scholarship | It is a non-renewable scholarship sponsored by Lancôme for female Black students | $10,000 | 40 | * Must be a current participant in an active ACT-SO program * Applicant must complete the Write Her Future scholarship application and video prompt submissions through the Inspire Initiatives scholarship portal *Applicant must be ready and available to travel July 14-17, 2022 if awarded the scholarship |
To learn more about the different opportunities available, visit the NAACP website.
Documents required
- Copy of your NAACP membership card or membership application.
- Official transcript.
- Two recommendation letters from teachers or professors in your major field of study
- A one-page essay.
- Your student aid report.
- Evidence of acceptance or full-time enrollment in an accredited college or University.
How to apply for NAACP scholarships
Applicants are requested to apply online with all necessary credentials through the NAACP’s Inspire Initiatives scholarship portal https://naacpnspire.smapply.io/
Application Timeline
Applications open on May 20, 2021, and close on June 18, 2021. Applications received after 6:00 PM ET on the application close date will not be considered.
Selection process
Winners of the award will be determined by N-SPIRE selection committee which comprises NAACP leaders. Selected students will be notified through the N-SPIRE scholarship portal.
