The Black Scholars Program helps Black and African American students get through college and graduate by offering mentorship, community, and support services tailored to unique needs around racial identity.
When you join the Black Scholars program, you get a professional mentor, an academic advisor, a peer mentor, and an entire community committed to helping you succeed.
What do you get?
- Community
- Educational Planner
- Peer Mentor
- Professional Mentor
- Laptop (if you need one)
- Textbooks
- Early registration to classes
- Access to the Student of Color Conference
- Black Scholars workshops about history, developing resiliency, and leadership
- $500 scholarship when you complete 45 credits within the program
What do you need to do in the Black Scholars Program?
- If students want a peer mentor: Complete biweekly mentee/mentor check-in assignments on Canvas and communicate with your mentor at least once every month by phone, email, text, or in person.
- If student opts out of peer mentor program, then they have to attend 1 hour weekly check-ins every Friday.
- Attend weekly Black Scholars Student forums and workshops.
- Meet with your Educational Planner each quarter preferably before early registration.
- Meet with your professional Mentor in person at least once every month.
- Complete a Financial Aid application every year.
If you don’t complete these expectations:
- The first time you will not be eligible to get textbooks the following quarter.
- A second time you will be dismissed from the program for one quarter.
- A third time you will be dismissed permanently from the program.
Are you Eligible?
To join the program, you should identify as Black or African American and should be enrolled at SPSCC (part time or full time), planning to earn a two-year degree or certificate.
Submit your application here (how do you apply for Black Scholars Program?)
First, apply to SPSCC if you are a new student
Apply for Financial Aid if you have not yet