Howard University (HU) is a private research university in Washington, D.C. The Association of American Universities classifies it as an R2: Doctoral University and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education has accredited it.
According to US News and World Report, Howard University has the 34th-best undergraduate teaching program in the United States.
It is ranked among the top 100 universities by the same publication. HU’s 13 schools and colleges offer approximately 140 programs to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.
Furthermore, the university provides several study abroad and exchange programs to help students enhance their overall educational experience. Students can join over 200 students for the Howard University Achievers Scholarship.
Aside from its impressive academic reputation, Howard University Hospital is one of Washington’s most complete hospitals. The university has produced noteworthy alumni who have made significant contributions to politics, governance, law, and medicine.
Today, we’ll talk about the Howard University Achievers Scholarship and some of the scholarships available at Howard University.
Why Do You Need the Howard University Achievers Scholarship?
Attending Howard University can be fairly costly. Check out the stats below to see the annual costs for various student groups:
- College of Dentistry—up to $87,672
- College of Pharmacy—up to $64,522
- School of Law—$67,920
- College of Medicine—up to $91,460
- School of Business—$74,126
- School of Divinity—$48,602
Only a small minority of students can afford to pay more than $90,000 per year without experiencing a significant financial burden. Howard University Achievers scholarship help students minimize or eliminate their part of the cost of education.
Types of Howard University Achievers Scholarship
Howard University Achievers scholarship can come from a variety of sources, including the federal or local government, a commercial firm, a philanthropist, or the university itself.
There are various types of financial aid programs available to HU students. They are:
1. Howard University Merit Scholarship
Merit programs assist students who demonstrated academic distinction in the preceding year at college or high school. Multiple elements contribute to determining one’s excellence, including:
- High GPA
- High ACT or SAT scores
- Letters of recommendation from mentors
- A list of extracurricular activities, including community service, volunteer work, and field-related projects.
- satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
2. Howard University Need-Based Scholarship
Students who do not achieve the merit-based requirements may still be eligible for financial prizes. In that case, they must demonstrate a legitimate need to obtain non-repayable assistance.
To do so, students must produce their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as proof of their annual income.
3. Howard University Freshman Scholarships
Howard University Freshman Scholarships (HUFS) are available to HU freshmen and high school seniors who plan to attend the university. The HUFS does not have an application form, as all students are considered immediately.
The HUFS program includes several rewards, which are mutually exclusive. Students must complete the FAFSA form or show their high school GPA or SAT results, depending on whether they are awarded on merit or need.
External Scholarships Available at Howard University
External scholarships refer to programs that are not funded by the federal government or the university.
If a student receives one of these, the funds are normally transferred to the student’s account rather than issued as a check.
External programs have target groups; therefore, only particular student profiles are eligible to apply, such as:
- Gender: Women, transgender students, etc.
- Field of study: Creative writing, arts, engineering, etc.
- Level of study: Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, doctorates, etc.
- Minority group: Hispanics, Native Americans, Asians, etc.
- Religious group: Muslims, Catholics, Jews, etc.
- Other specifics: Transfer students, veterans, senior citizens, immigrants, etc.
- Some programs integrate numerous elements: for example, the Clare Boothe Luce Scholars Program is aimed toward women in STEM.
Other instances of external scholarships are:
1. Graduate Assistantships
- Eligible Degrees: All Ph.D. Degrees and Masters Degrees
- Scholarship Amount: Coverage of Full Tuition and $20,000 Yearly Stipend
Graduate assistantships are competitive, enriching opportunities for selected graduate students. Assistantships require 15 hours of work each week and can fall into one of four categories. This includes teaching assistantships, teaching fellowships, research assistantships and administrative internships.
Graduate assistantships have a maximum appointment period of one academic year. Grants and fellowships provide extra income alternatives for graduate students with assistantships.
Students can apply for assistantships with the chair of graduate studies at HU. Students interested in assistantships must be full-time and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2. They must also display a high level of intercultural awareness and English competence.
2. Frederick Douglass Scholars Fellowship
- Eligible Degrees: All Ph.D. Degrees in the fields of Arts & Humanities and Social & Behavioral Science
- Scholarship Amount: Coverage of Full Tuition, $20,000 Stipend
Howard University also offers the Frederick Douglass Scholars Fellowship. It is given to Ph.D. students who have demonstrated exceptional academic accomplishment and are interested in pursuing a career in academia.
Fellows in this program are interested in teaching in a college or university after completing their academic degrees. This fellowship is for one academic year only.
Applicants are evaluated based on their fellowship application and grades. A minimum grade of 3.5 is required to be considered for the fellowship.
This fellowship requires a scholar to conduct 15 hours of research each week. To be eligible for the award, the scholar must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5.
3. Sasakawa Young Leaders Foundation Fellowship Program
- Eligible Degrees: Ph.D. Degrees in Social Sciences
- Scholarship Amount: Coverage of Full Tuition, $25,000 per year, $2,000 fund for research
The Sasakawa Young Leaders Foundation Fellowship Program is one of many Howard University scholarships awarded to high-achieving Ph.D. students.
This fellowship is intended for students pursuing a Social Science degree. Candidates for this fellowship have a strong interest in international politics and promoting global peace.
Fellows are supposed to research international issues. Candidates must have a GPA of 3.5 and be full-time students pursuing their degrees.
The research grant provided to Sasakawa Fellows may cover supplies and travel costs. The recipient of the prize is exclusively responsible for allocating the funds.
4. The Esther Ottley Fellowship
- Eligible Degrees: All Ph.D. Degrees
- Scholarship Amount: Coverage of Full Tuition, $20,000 Stipend
The Esther Ottley Fellowship is another award available at Howard University, assisting female doctorate students enrolling in any graduate degree program. The Financial Aid Advisory Committee decides who receives the fellowship based on merit.
Applicants for the fellowship need to have a minimum GPA of 3.5 Fellows are required to do a 15-hour per week internship in the Graduate School while under scholarship. Candidates who demonstrate exceptional leadership skills are given precedence.
Students must fill out an Esther Ottley Fellowship application form and provide three letters of recommendation. Additional materials may be required to complete the application.
Other external scholarships include:
- 5. Morgan Stanley Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Scholarship
- 6. Thurgood Marshall College Fund All Around Scholarship
- 7. Sam Haskell Scholarship
- 8. Delta Founders & Past National Presidents Endowed Scholarship
Where To Look for Howard University Scholarships
The most challenging aspect of obtaining financial aid is locating useful information about a given program, particularly when it comes to external scholarships.
You can spend weeks, if not months, searching the internet for an award for which you are eligible.
- Check out the Howard University official website for scholarships
- Online search tools
- Private financial aid consultants
Organizations close to HU include the United Negro College Fund and PUSH Excel, among others.
The good news is that you may skip the full research process thanks to DoNotPay. Answer a few questions in our app to receive a tailored list of all scholarships for which you are eligible!
The Application Process for Howard University Achievers Scholarships
Aside from HUFS programs, all other rewards require an application. The way you apply will be determined by the individual program and the standards you must meet, so do your research before beginning the process.
Overall, you should always:
- Check if you are eligible.
- Apply before the deadline.
- Submit all required documentation, including:
- Cover letter
- The FAFSA and/or ISFAA form
- Letters of recommendation
- Essay
- Transcripts
- Personal statement
FAQS
Can you get a full scholarship to Howard University?
Scholars selected for the program are offered a stipend for tuition, mandatory fees, lodging and board, and an allowance for books associated with attending the University, and are obliged to eventually pursue a Ph.D., or a combined MD-PhD, within a STEM discipline.
What is the required GPA for the HUFS scholarship?
- Students must be properly nominated by our overseas partner universities.
- During the exchange program, students must take at least one regular semester Korean-related course.
- Students must present documentation (academic transcripts) of grade point averages greater than 3.2 out of 4.0.
How do you qualify for the Capstone scholarship at Howard University?
Howard University requires students to be enrolled full-time. Students must be in good academic standing, with at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (CGPA). Students will attend the Capstone Legacy Awards, which are held in February each year.
