Ron Brown Scholarship Program

Program Description

The Ron Brown Scholar Program (RBSP) honors the legacy of Ronald H. Brown through a selective scholarship program that advances higher education for community-minded and intellectually gifted African Americans.  RBSP competitively awards Ron Brown Scholars four-year $40,000 scholarships ($10,000 each year) to the most talented and economically-challenged high school seniors who demonstrate a keen interest in public service, community engagement, business entrepreneurship and global citizenship – the four pillars of the late Ronald H. Brown’s mission to uplift people of all races, cultures and ethnicities – especially our disadvantaged youth.

Recipients may use the renewable scholarships to attend an accredited four-year college or university of their choice within the United States. Ron Brown scholarships are not limited to any specific field or career objective and may be used to pursue any academic discipline.  Since the Program’s inception in 1996, more than 300 students have been designated as Ron Brown Scholars.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for the Ron Brown Scholar Program provided you meet the following requirements:

• Must be Black/African American.
• Must excel academically.
• Must exhibit exceptional leadership potential.
• Must participate in community service activities.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Be a US citizen or hold a permanent resident visa card.
• Be a current high school senior at the time of your application.  NOTE: Current college students are not eligible to apply.

Application Timeline

• August – January:  Interested applicants can begin to complete and submit the RBSP scholarship application.
• November 1: Early Applicant Deadline: Interested applicants who complete their applications by November 1st will be considered for the Ron Brown Scholar Program and will be eligible to have their contact information forwarded to a select number of additional colleges and scholarship providers.  Students who apply under this deadline must make the appropriate designation on their application.  Applicants are still responsible for submitting materials to any colleges, universities and scholarship programs for which they are interested.
• January 9:  Final postmarked deadline in order to be considered for the Ron Brown Scholar Program ONLY.
• January - March:  Applications are reviewed by the Program staff.
• Mid-February:  Semi-finalists are notified.
• Early March:  Finalists are notified and invited to participate in a weekend selection process in Washington, D.C. at the expense of the Ron Brown Scholar Program. Finalists are interviewed by members of the RBSP National Selection Committee and are expected to participate in several activities during the weekend. Scholarship winners are selected on the basis of their application materials, interviews and participation in weekend activities. 
• April 1 - Winners in the competition are notified.

 

For more information please visit: https://www.ronbrown.org/