Scholarships
The Margaret E. Thomas Memorial Scholarship
The Margaret E. Thomas Memorial Scholarship was created to expose children of color to the rich history, culture, excellence, and possibilities found within Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Through the HBCU Making Moves Tour, students are introduced to institutions that have long served as centers of Black achievement, leadership, identity, and educational opportunity.
Each year, the scholarship awards one male student and one female student who demonstrate a genuine interest in attending an HBCU and a commitment to pursuing higher education, even in the face of life’s challenges.
To qualify, applicants must be high school juniors or seniors, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and submit two letters of reference from a teacher, counselor, or other school faculty member.
Applicants must also demonstrate financial need and submit a 500-word essay answering the following prompt: “Tell us about your plans and dreams for college, what you hope to learn from the HBCU Making Moves Tour, and why this experience matters to you.”
The Carl F. Ray Legacy Scholarship
The Carl F. Ray Legacy Scholarship honors the life and work of Carl F. Ray, a Tuskegee University graduate, electrical engineer, educator, author, playwright, mentor, and HBCU tour pioneer.
Carl created the Black College Tour, the first organized HBCU tour program of its kind in the nation, and believed exposure could change a young person’s future.
Through HBCU tours, mentorship, education, storytelling, and service, Carl helped generations of young people see Black excellence, understand their history, and believe in what they could become.
The Carl F. Ray Legacy Scholarship is the highest student honor awarded through the Making Moves Institute for HBCU Access. The scholarship recognizes a graduating Carl Ray Scholar who demonstrates leadership, resilience, service, academic commitment, cultural pride, and personal growth.
This scholarship is not open to the general public. It is available only to students who participate in the Making Moves Institute for HBCU Access and are selected to participate in the Carl Ray Scholars Track.
To qualify, applicants must be active participants in the Making Moves Institute for HBCU Access, be selected to participate in the Carl Ray Scholars Track, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and plan to attend an HBCU.
The scholarship awards $5,000 annually to a student who exemplifies Carl Ray’s legacy of educational excellence, service, leadership, resilience, and cultural pride.
Application Opens: March 1
Application Deadline: June 1