Ron Brown Scholar Program
The Ron Brown Scholar Program offers 20 renewable awards of $10,000 per year for four years, up to $40,000 per student. The 2027 competition is open, with a final application deadline of December 1, 2026; recommendations and transcripts have their own later deadline of December 15, according to the published schedule. The award is for high-school seniors who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, community service, and financial need. Published eligibility requires appl
About Ron Brown Scholar Program
The Ron Brown Scholar Program offers 20 renewable awards of $10,000 per year for four years, up to $40,000 per student. The 2027 competition is open, with a final application deadline of December 1, 2026; recommendations and transcripts have their own later deadline of December 15, according to the published schedule. The award is for high-school seniors who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, community service, and financial need.
Published eligibility requires applicants to be Black/African American, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and current high-school seniors when they apply. Current college students are not eligible. There is no required major: the scholarship may be used at an accredited four-year U.S. college or university. In addition to funding, the scholars and alumni network offers career-development and mentoring opportunities; this complements rather than replaces a college financial-aid package.
Selection considers academics, writing, participation, leadership, and financial need, and the program reports that thousands of students compete each year. Prepare the application with a trusted adult, verify citizenship or residency documentation, transcripts, and letters, and do not leave the essays until December. Use the official page for current instructions, and submit FAFSA separately if you are also seeking federal or state aid.
Who it serves and what it can cover: The Ron Brown Scholar Program offers 20 renewable awards of $10,000 per year for four years, up to $40,000 per student. The 2027 competition is open, with a final application deadline of December 1, 2026; recommendations and transcripts have their own later deadline of December 15, according to the published schedule. The award is for high-school seniors who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, community service, and financial need. Published eligibility requires applicants to be Black/African American, U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and current high-school seniors when they apply. Current college students are not eligible. There is no required major: the scholarship may be used at an accredited four-year U.S. college or university. In addition to funding, the scholars and alumni network offers career-development and mentoring opportunities; this complements rather than replaces a college financial-aid package.
How to apply or get help: Selection considers academics, writing, participation, leadership, and financial need, and the program reports that thousands of students compete each year. Prepare the application with a trusted adult, verify citizenship or residency documentation, transcripts, and letters, and do not leave the essays until December. Use the official page for current instructions, and submit FAFSA separately if you are also seeking federal or state aid. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.
Scholarship and college-aid program