The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF supports students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), and Historically Black Community Colleges (HBCCs). The organization was established in 1987. TMCF provides scholarships, programmatic funding, and capacity building. These efforts help ensure that students receive the financial support and resources they require for academic success.
TMCF manages a comprehensive scholarship portfolio for thousands of students each year. The scholarships originate from major corporate partners, private foundations, and individual donors. This funding is vital for students who often face significant financial barriers (lack of tuition funds, living expenses, transportation costs). Many of the scholarships offer support beyond tuition, covering costs like room and board, books, and fees.
Students can secure various funding options through the TMCF online portal. The overall goal is to reduce the financial burden on students. Reducing financial stress increases student retention and graduation rates. An eligible student can meet financial need with a TMCF award. This article provides a complete guide to understanding and applying for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund scholarships.
Types of Thurgood Marshall scholarship
TMCF offers three main types of scholarships to meet diverse student needs: Access, Gap Completion, and Programmatic.
- Access Scholarships: These are generally need-based awards. Access Scholarships provide financial assistance to incoming and continuing students. These awards are often smaller amounts. They help students afford basic educational costs (tuition, books, supplies).
- Gap Completion Scholarships: These are for students facing an immediate financial emergency. A Gap Completion award helps students who have an outstanding institutional balance. The funding prevents students from being withdrawn from their classes. This quick funding ensures students graduate on time.
- Programmatic Scholarships: These are tied to specific corporate or foundation partnerships. Programmatic awards often target students in specific majors, such as STEM, Business, or Education. These scholarships typically offer higher award amounts. They can include additional benefits (mentorship, internships, professional development).
Coverage
The coverage details vary by the specific scholarship. However, most TMCF awards provide funding that falls into three key categories.
- Financial Assistance: Individual awards range from $\$1,000$ to over $\$15,000$. The money is applied directly to the student’s account at their college or university.
- Cost Coverage: The funds cover tuition, mandatory fees, and on-campus room and board. Some scholarships cover non-tuition costs, such as books, supplies, and travel expenses.
- Program Benefits: Programmatic scholarships often include mentorship, paid summer internships, and professional training. These benefits strengthen a student’s career preparation.
Eligibility Criteria
There are three key eligibility requirements for nearly all TMCF scholarships:
- Institution Requirement: You must be enrolled full-time at one of the 47 TMCF member schools. These include public HBCUs, HBCCs, and PBIs.
- Academic Requirement: You must meet the minimum GPA requirement. Most scholarships require a minimum GPA of 2.5 or 3.0. Specific corporate programs require a higher GPA.
- Citizenship Requirement: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. You must also have a current FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on file with your school.
Application Process
The application process involves three main steps: creating an account, completing the general application, and applying for specific awards.
To submit an application, you must follow this process:
- Create a TMCF Account: Register on the TMCF Scholarship Portal. You must create an account to begin the application.
- Complete the General Application: The general application collects your academic and demographic information. The portal then automatically matches you with all scholarships for which you meet the initial criteria.
- Submit Specific Applications: For each matched opportunity, you must submit an individual application. You must submit an application, if it requires additional materials, such as essays, letters of recommendation, and a student resume.
Deadline
TMCF does not have one single annual deadline for all its scholarships.
- Rolling Deadlines: Scholarship deadlines are set on a rolling basis throughout the year. New opportunities open as funding becomes available.
- Frequent Checks: You must check the TMCF website frequently to see new listings. The largest application window is typically in the spring and summer months.
- Specific Deadline: Each scholarship listing provides its exact application closing date.
