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Written By: Jennifer King Logan
Published: 6/8/2022
On college campuses across the nation, we are seeing an increasingly diverse student population. Although data shows that about
Published: 6/8/2022
On college campuses across the nation, we are seeing an increasingly diverse student population. Although data shows that about 聽about how we make money. ' > AD
To help multicultural students address some of the common barriers that may make it more challenging to complete a college degree, we've created this resource guide. We asked two experts鈥擠r. Amber Williams, vice provost for Student Success at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Jannatul Pramanik, program coordinator for Multicultural Student Services at the University of Virginia鈥攖o share their advice on everything from overcoming obstacles to navigating financial aid to locating scholarships and grant programs created especially for underrepresented students.
To help multicultural students address some of the common barriers that may make it more challenging to complete a college degree, we've created this resource guide. We asked two experts鈥擠r. Amber Williams, vice provost for Student Success at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Jannatul Pramanik, program coordinator for Multicultural Student Services at the University of Virginia鈥攖o share their advice on everything from overcoming obstacles to navigating financial aid to locating scholarships and grant programs created especially for underrepresented students.
Dr. Amber Williams
Inaugural Vice Provost for Student Success at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Through the development, implementation, and evaluation of student success initiatives, Dr. Williams works to retain and graduate a talented and diverse student group. During her first year, Dr. Williams initiated the New Vol Experience, a reimagined six-week transition period; the Vol Success Teams, a three-person network to help students navigate their UT involvement; and the Vol First-Year Experience, a transformative academic and engagement opportunity for incoming students. Students participating in these programs report higher academic and social-belonging levels and are more comfortable utilizing UT resources. Dr. Williams earned her bachelor’s degree in communication studies from the University of Kansas. She received her master’s degree in leadership education and doctorate in education and leadership studies from the University of Nebraska鈥揕incoln.
Jannatul Pramanik
Program Coordinator for Multicultural Student Services (MSS) at the University of Virginia
As coordinator of MSS, Pramanik aims to promote inclusion and engagement for historically underrepresented students. In her role, Pramanik serves students in the Asian/Pacific Islander/Desi American (APIDA) and the Middle Eastern/North African (MENA) communities at UVA. From directly engaging with individual students, to supporting an array of student organizations within each community, to coordinating office-sponsored, identity-specific leadership development and peer mentoring programs, Pramanik fully engages in supporting diversity on campus.
Many in post-secondary education have conducted studies in an attempt to identify and find solutions to the most common obstacles faced by underrepresented students. Our experts have had first-hand experience in assisting students overcome these barriers. Says Williams, "Every student has the opportunity to be successful in college. Every one of them deserves it, and they shouldn't 鈥� no matter what obstacles are in front of them 鈥� allow those obstacles or those barriers to stop them from pursuing success."
Here are the suggestions our experts have to offer for three of the most commonly reported issues:
Many multicultural students report a sense of isolation after they arrive on campus, and this manifests on different levels. For some students who come from close-knit families and communities, they feel homesick. For others, especially underrepresented students attending predominantly white schools, it's more a feeling of cultural isolation, as if they don't belong in that space.
Many in post-secondary education have conducted studies in an attempt to identify and find solutions to the most common obstacles faced by underrepresented students. Our experts have had first-hand experience in assisting students overcome these barriers. Says Williams, "Every student has the opportunity to be successful in college. Every one of them deserves it, and they shouldn't 鈥� no matter what obstacles are in front of them 鈥� allow those obstacles or those barriers to stop them from pursuing success."
Here are the suggestions our experts have to offer for three of the most commonly reported issues:
Many multicultural students report a sense of isolation after they arrive on campus, and this manifests on different levels. For some students who come from close-knit families and communities, they feel homesick. For others, especially underrepresented students attending predominantly white schools, it's more a feeling of cultural isolation, as if they don't belong in that space.
Both Williams and Pramanik have observed these feelings in the students they work with. Williams advises prospective students to be aware of this from the start and to choose a college accordingly. "College is a new opportunity for students to find a community of peers, faculty, and staff who become a second family," she notes. “Look at college as the chance to step away from what you have known before, and to find your own meaning and purpose in the world."
Pramanik adds that some colleges will often do outreach during the summer in order to connect with students from multicultural communities and provide resources and insight before they start their first semester. Outreach typically comes from a college’s student affairs office, dean of students office, or office of multicultural student affairs, which are usually charged with supporting the well-being and success of students. She also advises students to look for common interest student organizations.
"There are usually organizations and programs that focus on bringing together people by their identity and lived experiences — those who identify as first generation, who identify as part of the LGBTQ community, and many more communities," she says.
"I think identity-based centers, support services, and programs are such a great way to start off building your connections. They have a very specific mission to prioritize and centralize the experiences of those who have been marginalized."
Williams explains that students often arrive at college with different expectations. Sometimes there are "misalignments" between students' expectations of how things work at the college level because they're in a new environment. Likewise, they're not accustomed to their instructors' expectations of them.
This can be particularly true for some students who come from public high schools that couldn't afford to provide them with enough resources. Research has shown that some of the
The United Negro College Fund is the nation's largest scholarship provider for underrepresented students. The organization has disbursed more than $5 billion dollars to 500,000 students through its annual scholarship programs.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Honoring the legendary baseball player, the JRF Scholarship program provides leadership development, community service, career assistance, and mentorship opportunities for recipients.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Gates Scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship that covers the full cost of attendance not already covered by other forms of financial aid. Money can be used for tuition, books, supplies, and all other relevant expenses.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Software developer Microsoft hopes to encourage underrepresented students to enter the computer science, computer engineering, and information technology fields by offering scholarships. Preference is given to applicants who have demonstrated community service and leadership.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Technology giant Oracle supports diversity among students through its scholars program that combines internships with college funding. Recipients can choose between a computer developer internship or a business internship.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
When selecting award recipients, the Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund gives preference to first-generation Asian students who have demonstrated financial need, academic excellence, and community service.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Using corporate sponsorship funding, the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce has been able to award more than $2 million in scholarships since 1989.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) provides seven regional scholarships: Eastern, Western, and Midwestern.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The mission of the Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club's scholarship program is to promote the upward mobility of Hawaiians through education.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The SEED Foundation is dedicated to supporting Indian youth, and to date the organization has disbursed more than $380,000 to 55 Indian college students.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The Upakar Indian American Scholarship program is highly competitive, and rewards high school students who have achieved academic excellence.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The American Indian College Fund supports American Indian and Alaska Native students with college funding through the Full Circle Scholarship program as well as several other scholarship programs.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Started by the National Society in 1927, the American Indian Nurse Scholarship is designed to support Native Americans who intend to pursue a career in nursing or a health-related field.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Since 1997, the American Indian Education Fund (AIEF) has been providing scholarship funding and other learning tools for American Indian and Alaskan Native students.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The American Association of University Women sponsors a number of grants, research grants, and scholarships for underrepresented women at the undergraduate and graduate levels. They also sponsor local scholarships for women residing in each state in the U.S.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Sponsored by Soroptimist, an international non-profit organization, these tiered scholarships are open to women in any field of study.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Sponsored by the Red Thread Foundation for Women, these scholarships are open to all women, regardless of race, ethnicity, or citizenship.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Brown and Caldwell, an engineering firm, seeks to encourage greater diversity in the field by providing funding for women from underrepresented groups.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship includes a summer internship, which may convert to full-time employment after graduation.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Sponsored by the Foundation of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), this scholarship provides funding for underrepresented students pursuing advanced degrees in healthcare administration.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The American Bar Association created the Legal Opportunity Scholarship Program for law school enrollees to promote diversity within the legal profession.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) supports Latino/a, Asian, and First Nations doctoral candidates pursuing doctorates in theology, religion, or biblical studies. Doctor of Ministry students are not eligible for this fellowship.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Designed to support individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, the APSA Diversity Fellowship Program has helped more than 100 people complete their doctoral degrees in political science.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
In addition to applying for funding from the government and from the schools themselves, which is accomplished by filling out the FAFSA, some students may also want to apply for privately funded scholarships. Each opportunity requires a separate application, but the more time and energy a student devotes to a scholarship search, the higher the rewards.
Landing more scholarship money allows students to minimize out-of-pocket payments and the amount of student loans they accept, which in turn decreases the amount of interest that will have to be paid after graduation. Even the smallest scholarship awards are worth the application process, notes Williams. "One may only be for $500, but that's a couple of books that you don't have to pay for."
Our list of college scholarships for underrepresented students has been divided into several sections (general, Asian American and Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, women), so an individual student may be eligible for scholarships on several of the lists below. Most are based on financial need, although some give preference to applicants who have demonstrated academic achievement and/or service to their communities. Many of these scholarships are geared toward U.S. citizens earning undergraduate degrees at two-year and four-year schools, but there is also a separate list of graduate school scholarships.
The United Negro College Fund is the nation's largest scholarship provider for underrepresented students. The organization has disbursed more than $5 billion dollars to 500,000 students through its annual scholarship programs.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Honoring the legendary baseball player, the JRF Scholarship program provides leadership development, community service, career assistance, and mentorship opportunities for recipients.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Gates Scholarship is a last-dollar scholarship that covers the full cost of attendance not already covered by other forms of financial aid. Money can be used for tuition, books, supplies, and all other relevant expenses.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Software developer Microsoft hopes to encourage underrepresented students to enter the computer science, computer engineering, and information technology fields by offering scholarships. Preference is given to applicants who have demonstrated community service and leadership.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Technology giant Oracle supports diversity among students through its scholars program that combines internships with college funding. Recipients can choose between a computer developer internship or a business internship.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
When selecting award recipients, the Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund gives preference to first-generation Asian students who have demonstrated financial need, academic excellence, and community service.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Using corporate sponsorship funding, the U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce has been able to award more than $2 million in scholarships since 1989.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The Korean American Scholarship Foundation (KASF) provides seven regional scholarships: Eastern, Western, and Midwestern.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The mission of the Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club's scholarship program is to promote the upward mobility of Hawaiians through education.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The SEED Foundation is dedicated to supporting Indian youth, and to date the organization has disbursed more than $380,000 to 55 Indian college students.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The Upakar Indian American Scholarship program is highly competitive, and rewards high school students who have achieved academic excellence.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The American Indian College Fund supports American Indian and Alaska Native students with college funding through the Full Circle Scholarship program as well as several other scholarship programs.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Started by the National Society in 1927, the American Indian Nurse Scholarship is designed to support Native Americans who intend to pursue a career in nursing or a health-related field.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Since 1997, the American Indian Education Fund (AIEF) has been providing scholarship funding and other learning tools for American Indian and Alaskan Native students.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The American Association of University Women sponsors a number of grants, research grants, and scholarships for underrepresented women at the undergraduate and graduate levels. They also sponsor local scholarships for women residing in each state in the U.S.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Sponsored by Soroptimist, an international non-profit organization, these tiered scholarships are open to women in any field of study.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Sponsored by the Red Thread Foundation for Women, these scholarships are open to all women, regardless of race, ethnicity, or citizenship.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Brown and Caldwell, an engineering firm, seeks to encourage greater diversity in the field by providing funding for women from underrepresented groups.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship includes a summer internship, which may convert to full-time employment after graduation.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Sponsored by the Foundation of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), this scholarship provides funding for underrepresented students pursuing advanced degrees in healthcare administration.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The American Bar Association created the Legal Opportunity Scholarship Program for law school enrollees to promote diversity within the legal profession.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
The Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) supports Latino/a, Asian, and First Nations doctoral candidates pursuing doctorates in theology, religion, or biblical studies. Doctor of Ministry students are not eligible for this fellowship.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
Designed to support individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, the APSA Diversity Fellowship Program has helped more than 100 people complete their doctoral degrees in political science.
Award Information
Eligibility
Applicants Must
Application Information
In addition to the scholarships listed above, students will find there are numerous other organizations that want to assist historically underrepresented student groups with financial aid. Some ideas for finding more scholarship opportunities include:
Checking with professional organizations related to a student's field of study. Many organizations want to promote diversity within their professions by funding scholarships. Some of these include the (fashion design and retailing), the : Founded more than 70 years ago, the UNCF promotes diversity in higher education by offering financial support to students of color through many general and specific scholarship programs.
In addition to the scholarships listed above, students will find there are numerous other organizations that want to assist historically underrepresented student groups with financial aid. Some ideas for finding more scholarship opportunities include:
Checking with professional organizations related to a student's field of study. Many organizations want to promote diversity within their professions by funding scholarships. Some of these include the (fashion design and retailing), the : Founded more than 70 years ago, the UNCF promotes diversity in higher education by offering financial support to students of color through many general and specific scholarship programs.
Both Williams and Pramanik have observed these feelings in the students they work with. Williams advises prospective students to be aware of this from the start and to choose a college accordingly. "College is a new opportunity for students to find a community of peers, faculty, and staff who become a second family," she notes. “Look at college as the chance to step away from what you have known before, and to find your own meaning and purpose in the world."
Pramanik adds that some colleges will often do outreach during the summer in order to connect with students from multicultural communities and provide resources and insight before they start their first semester. Outreach typically comes from a college’s student affairs office, dean of students office, or office of multicultural student affairs, which are usually charged with supporting the well-being and success of students. She also advises students to look for common interest student organizations.
"There are usually organizations and programs that focus on bringing together people by their identity and lived experiences — those who identify as first generation, who identify as part of the LGBTQ community, and many more communities," she says.