Ron Brown Scholarship
Merit + needScholarship
Financial need is part of how this award is decided, alongside merit.
- Award
- $40,000 over four years ($10,000 per year), normally 20 scholarships; eligible for an accredited four-year U.S. college in any discipline. Detailed ongoing renewal conditions are not published on the current application page.
- Timeline
- Dec 1, 2026For the 2027 scholarship competition: student application
- Dec 15, 2026School transcript and two recommendations . Semifinalists interview virtually
- How to apply
- Apply online with three essays of approximately 500 words each, academic/activity information and household financial information. After you submit, school officials and recommenders receive requests for the transcript and two letters; at least one letter must be from a counselor, teacher or principal, and the other may not be from a relative. SAT/ACT/AP/IB scores are optional. Semifinalists must verify household income.
- What you'll need
- A separate scholarship application
- Recommendations
- An essay
- An interview
- Who can apply
- Black/African American current high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, excel academically, show leadership and service, and demonstrate financial need. Current college students are ineligible. Four-year accredited U.S. undergraduate study is required; vocational or technical training is excluded.
- Good to know
- Financial need is required, alongside merit criteria; the FAQ gives no fixed income cutoff. Finalists have virtual alumni conversations and in-person interviews. The official page confirms the 2027 application is open, but complete scholarship renewal criteria are not published.
- Details
- ServiceNeed consideredPermanent residents eligible