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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

NextEra Energy (NEE) Foundation Scholarship

The purpose of the NextEra Energy (NEE) Foundation scholarship, in partnership with NextEra Energy Foundation, 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 environment, energy, cultural sustainability, or a major in a STEM or STEM-related discipline. Native American students pursuing degrees that prepare them for the renewable energy workforce are encouraged to apply. 

This program will award 16 scholarships in the amount of $5,000 per academic year. This opportunity is a need-based award.

David & Priscilla Morris Scholarship

The David and Priscilla Morris Scholarship was established to provide tuition support for Black or African American students attending Western Michigan University.

KZCF scholarships may be applied to any items under your school’s cost of attendance (COA). Each school has a different COA that may include items such as tuition, fees, housing, transportation, food, health insurance, etc. Scholarship payments are sent directly to your institution.

This scholarship is a one-time award, meaning that it will not repeat in subsequent years. The money awarded can be applied to your education costs alongside other scholarships or funding that you may receive, and there are no necessary steps once funds are sent.

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.

Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship

The purpose of the Wells Fargo American Indian Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate (juniors and seniors) and graduate students pursuing degrees full-time at an accredited institution.

Undergraduate (juniors and seniors) students must be pursuing a degree in the gaming, tourism, financial, or hospitality industries. Graduate students must be pursuing a degree in business or a gaming/hospitality-related field. This includes banking, resort management, gaming operations, or management and administration (including accounting, finance, information technology, and human resources).

The maximum amount of an undergraduate award is $2,500 and the maximum amount of a graduate award is $5,000 per academic year. 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.

Wells Fargo Scholarship for Undergraduates

The Wells Fargo Scholarship for Undergraduates provides financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate students pursuing degrees full-time at an accredited institution in any field of study.

The maximum amount of an academic year award is $5,000. 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.

Wilson-Hooper Veterinary Medicine Assistance Program 

The Wilson-Hooper Veterinary Medicine Assistance Program, created in the memory of Jane Wilson Hooper and Colonel Philip L. Hooper, provides financial assistance to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native students pursuing a degree in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Technology (Associate of Applied Science) full-time at an accredited institution. 

The maximum amount of an academic year award is $5,000. This opportunity is a renewable, merit-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.

Grace Wall Barreda Memorial Scholarship

This opportunity is provided to honor the life and legacy of Grace Wall Barreda.

The purpose of the Grace Wall Barreda 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 Public Health or Environmental Science/Studies.

This opportunity is a need-based award.

About

Central Carolina Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that helps generous people give back to the Midlands of South Carolina in ways that matter. Since 1984, we’ve been a trusted partner, helping individuals, families, and businesses make smart, meaningful contributions that support local nonprofits, scholarships, and community projects.

LinkScholars Program Scholarship ($2,000) 

This renewable scholarship supports graduating high school seniors from Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Richland, or Sumter counties in South Carolina.

The HEEF: Hispanic Education Endowment Fund Scholarship provides academic financial support to US Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Dream Act/AB 540 students residing in Orange County, California. With awards starting at $2,500, this fund assists high school and community college transfers who demonstrate financial need and plan to enroll in a four-year college or university in Fall 2025. Additional donor-specific sub-funds offer varying amounts, enhancing accessibility to higher education.

The Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) program supports federally-recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and organizations in advancing health-related research. It aims to enhance research careers and infrastructure through a competitive application process. Funded by the US Dept. of Health & Human Services, this initiative invites eligible entities to apply, ensuring that only high-quality proposals undergo peer review for potential funding.