Best Grants for Minorities in Tennessee

Low-income Black students in Tennessee pursuing higher education at Historically Black Colleges and Universities can receive renewable scholarship support for tuition and related academic costs. With a mission to strengthen communities, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee provides minority students and families with the LadyAID Scholarship Fund, including those attending HBCUs in Tennessee, Georgia, or elsewhere in the U.S.

Tennessee NCAA Division II schools and multisport conference offices can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association to create full-time, entry-level athletics administration internships that advance ethnic minority and women’s representation. Awards of US $30,000 plus professional development support one-year positions focused on areas like compliance, student-athlete welfare, and diversity initiatives.

Tennessee NCAA Division II conferences and institutions seeking to increase ethnic minority and women’s representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration can access funding through the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Grants support full-time roles over five years with duties such as strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare.

Tennessee NCAA Division II member schools seeking to create new assistant coaching positions that increase ethnic minority and gender representation can apply for this coaching enhancement grant. With a mission to support inclusive athletics, National Collegiate Athletic Association provides multi-year funding of US $48,000 toward salary, wages, and benefits for the hired coach.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving minority communities with education, environmental, or community health programs in Tennessee and other Cleveland-Cliffs operating areas can seek project funding. Grants from Cleveland Cliffs Foundation help advance workforce readiness, STEM education, environmental restoration, and healthy, vibrant communities, including initiatives that improve opportunities and services for underserved and minority populations.

NCAA Division III conferences and institutions seeking to expand ethnic minority and gender representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration can apply for leadership and diversity funding from the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Tennessee Division III schools and conferences may be eligible to support roles in strategic planning, budget management, fundraising, compliance, diversity initiatives, and student-athlete welfare.

National Collegiate Athletic Association provides Tennessee colleges and universities with funding to create new assistant coaching positions that increase ethnic minority and gender representation in NCAA Division III sports. Active Division III member institutions may receive two years of salary and benefits support for a new assistant coach, with institutional matching required.

Tennessee minority health and physical education professionals with long-term service in HPERD settings who are SHAPE America members may be eligible for the E.B. Henderson Award recognizing scholarship, mentorship, and service to underserved populations. Tennessee minority educators active in community health, PE, or K–12 education can access funding through Society of Health and Physical Educators’ national program.

Presbyterian undergraduate students seeking their first associate or bachelor’s degree at accredited U.S. colleges can receive scholarship support, including those from minority communities in Tennessee. Grants from Presbyterian Mission Agency help PC(USA) members with up to US $6,000 toward full-time study in the 2025–2026 academic year.

Minority high school seniors from Louisa or Fluvanna County Public Schools in Virginia seeking postsecondary education can apply for competitive scholarships supporting technical schools, HBCUs, or other accredited colleges. Focused on higher education access for African American and other minority youth, The Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond offers two awards of US $1,000 each.

Minority high school seniors and GED students pursuing higher education, especially those of color who have overcome obstacles and show commitment to others, can receive $3,000 scholarships, renewable for up to three additional years. Community Foundation of South Puget Sound supports college-bound students in Thurston and Pierce counties who demonstrate significant financial need.

Nonprofit organizations running computing programs for Black, Latina, and Native American women and girls in Tennessee and beyond can seek support to recruit and retain participants in college-level computing. Reboot Representation Tech Coalition supports research-backed, community-embedded programs, with priority for efforts operating in multiple geographies and leveraging existing infrastructure or other funding.

Minority students in Tennessee pursuing marketing, advertising, design, or computer science studies can access scholarship support for digital marketing and related careers through Innovia Foundation’s Diversity in Advertising Scholarship. Focused on education and creative fields, Innovia Foundation invites Black, Indigenous, and other students of color in its 20-county service region who demonstrate academic achievement to apply.

Students of color pursuing higher education, including those from Tennessee, can receive up to US $3,000 for college costs through scholarships administered by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. With a mission to support minority students, the foundation considers applicants for multiple funds, with a preference for residents of Hampden County for this scholarship.

Undergraduate engineering students from marginalized ethnicities or genders in Tennessee can apply for the Architecture Foundation of Oregon’s PAE Diversity in Engineering Scholarship; awards up to US $20,000 to offset educational costs. Eligible applicants study mechanical, electrical, renewable energy, architectural, or civil engineering at a U.S. four-year college with a commitment to climate justice.

Middle Tennessee high school seniors planning to attend an accredited college or university can apply for the Brandon Key Scholarship Fund to support higher education costs. Administered by Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, it benefits students with at least a 2.5 GPA, strong community service, and gives preference to low-income applicants planning to attend an HBCU.

Indigenous undergraduate and graduate students in STEM fields, including those from Tennessee, can apply for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s Indian Motorcycle Academic Scholarship, awarding US $5,000 per year for tuition support. Eligible applicants must be AISES members with a 3.0+ GPA and enrolled or descendant citizens of recognized Indigenous communities.

American Indian and Alaska Native LSAMP alumni starting STEM PhD programs can apply for Montana State University's Louis Stokes Bridge to Doctorate support, offering US $88,000 in stipend and education funding. Eligible U.S. citizens, including those from Tennessee, may benefit from this graduate-level opportunity to advance in higher education and STEM fields.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Katrin Lamon Fellowship

This opportunity is provided to honor the life and legacy of Katrin Lamon.

The purpose of the Katrin Lamon Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students pursuing degrees full-time at an accredited institution in literature, communication, journalism, or other related fields.

This opportunity is a need-based award.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Katharine Scallan Scholarship

This opportunity is provided to honor the life and legacy of Katharine Scallan.

The purpose of the Katharine Scallan Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian tribal and Alaska Native graduate students pursuing degrees full-time at an accredited institution in any field of study.

This opportunity is a need-based award.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Jeanette Elmer Scholarship

This opportunity is provided to honor the life and legacy of Jeanette Elmer.

The purpose of the Jeanette Elmer Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students pursuing degrees full-time at an accredited institution in library science.

This opportunity is a need-based award.

American Indian and Alaska Native vocational, undergraduate, and graduate students in the U.S., including those from Tennessee, can apply for Native Forward Scholars Fund’s Hillman Barnett Adkins Endowed Fund Scholarship; awards $100 to $30,000 per year for fine and performing arts, creative writing, film, photography, culinary arts, fashion, and related studies.

Latino high school or college-bound students pursuing full-time study at accredited 2- or 4-year institutions may be eligible for higher education support through the Latinos Count Scholarship, available in Tennessee and other areas. Legacy Foundation awards more than US $1,000, paid directly to schools or for book reimbursement, with some renewable for four undergraduate years.

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Inez Peppers Lovett and Charlie Ellington Scholarship Fund

Founded by Inez Peppers Lovett and Charlie Lovett Ellington, this scholarship is available to African-American graduating senior from any Palm Beach County high school who will be pursuing a career in elementary education.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

KuuKuupa In Memoriam Endowed Fund

“In honor of William Daniel Ray and all our loved ones who we have lost.”

Willie had a huge heart and unconditionally loved his family – those he was given and those he chose. No matter how little he had, he was always willing to lend a hand to family and even a stranger in need. To honor him and the care and compassion he had for those around him, his family started the Kuukuupa Fund. To celebrate and honor Willie’s spirit and the person he was, his family hopes the Kuukuupa Fund can be a way for others to honor loved ones who have journeyed home by supporting Native students in their educational pursuits to achieve their dreams.

The KuuKuupa In Memoriam Endowed Fund was established to assist Native students who are facing financial hardships and challenges by providing them with a one-time relief award. The fund provides emergency support scholarships directly to students in need of assistance for emergency situations that includes, but is not limited to, food insecurity, emergency housing and utility costs, educational technology or technology-related resources, or other difficult choices that will benefit the student and their families in the hopes that some of those needs can be met.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Land Conservation and Indigenous Languages Scholarship

The purpose of the Land Conservation and Indigenous Languages Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate and graduate students enrolled full-time at an accredited institution and pursuing degrees with a focus in Indigenous languages, natural resources, land management, and conservation or cultural preservation. 

This opportunity is a need-based award.

Native Forward awards are allocated based on the financial aid information provided by the institution’s Financial Aid Office. Awards can vary, ranging from $100 to $30,000 per academic year.

Native Forward Scholars Fund members of federally and state-recognized Tribes as well as first and second-generation descendants. However, Native Forward Scholars Fund scholarship opportunities have different Tribal eligibility requirements and can be determined by submitting a Tribal Eligibility Certificate.

Lynne Ruth Lafin Elmore Sucher Scholarship

This opportunity is provided to honor the life and legacy of Lynn Ruth Lafin Elmore Sucher.

The purpose of the Lynn Ruth Lafin Elmore Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students attending full-time at an accredited institution pursuing mathematics, Medicine, or life sciences are eligible to apply.

This opportunity is a need-based award.