2026 HBCU Puissance Scholarship Application
In 2013, we founded The HBCU Puissance Scholarship with a desire to help students like you offset the financial responsibilities of attending college. As HBCU alums, we uniquely understand and appreciate how our schools are connected by a legacy of rich history and shared values. We want to do all we can to incentivize joining the next generation of our HBCU family - especially when there may be options that are less expensive and closer to home.
pu·is·sance - noun: great power, influence, or prowess.
Since our launch over 10 years ago, hundreds of alums across the globe have financially invested in this scholarship program and continue to support our students along their journey. Past winners of the HBCU Puissance Scholarship have gone on to illustrious careers and, if selected, we hope to add you to our list of distinguished students who have been supported by this program.
To that end, we invite you to complete and submit an application for consideration by the Puissance Scholarship Executive Board by March 22, 2025. Eligible applicants must meet the following requirements:
> Must be an incoming freshman at an HBCU (starting school in Fall 2026)
> Must be currently based in the United States
> Must submit a completed application by the deadline
The application timeline is as follows:
December 15, 2025 - Scholarship application is open
March 25, 2026 - Deadline for scholarship applications from all applicants in eastern time zone & central time zone
March 30-April 3rd 2026 - Virtual interviews for scholarship finalists
April 6, 2026 - Scholarship winners notified
TBD- Scholarship award ceremony held in NYC; winners are required to attend
April 22, 2026- Deadline for scholarship applications from all applicants in mountain time zone & pacific standard time zone
April 27-May 1st, 2026 - Virtual interviews for scholarship finalists
May 4, 2026 Scholarship winners notified
TBD- Scholarship award ceremony held in LA, winners are required to attend
Award amounts vary from year to year. Should you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].
Part 1: Applicant Details
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Parent/Guardian Information
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Part 2: Scholarship Application
The scholarship application consists of 3 parts: your resume, your transcript, and your personal essay. If you'd like, you may include a photo of yourself. Headshots are optional at the application phase; however, if you are selected as a winner you must be prepared to provide a photo.
Resume - please include an up-to-date copy of your resume. We will review your resume for extracurricular activities, job experience, community service work, etc.
Transcript - please upload your most recent transcript. While unofficial transcripts are acceptable, ensure that your school information is visible. We will review the grades from your whole high school career. There is no minimum GPA to be considered for the scholarship.
Essay - please write an original statement that answers your selected prompt in 500 words or less. You need only choose one question to answer; you do not need to answer all three. We will review your essay to gain an understanding of who you are and what you hope to achieve. In addition to answering the essay prompt, you may wish to use your essay to share anything else you'd like us know that is not covered in your resume and/or transcript. Remember to check your essay for grammar, spelling, typos and clarity before submitting.
1.) Why did you choose your particular HBCU and what are your thoughts on their mission statement?
2.) What is the value of HBCUs in the 21st century?
3.) Please tell us about an HBCU graduate that has impacted your life or inspired you in some way.
Upload your resume here.
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Upload your high school transcript here.
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Upload your personal essay here.
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Upload a headshot or photo of yourself. (Optional)
Part 3: Applicant Confirmation
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I certify that I have checked the information provided within this application. I understand that my application will not be considered if it is incomplete.
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I confirm that the information provided within this application is accurate and all written responses are my original work. If needed, my transcript can be verified by my school.
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