A $40,000 college scholarship await students who show leadership skills, impact in community affairs positively and excel academically. The Ron Brown Scholarship program is offering Blacks/African American students an opportunity for a fully-funded college scholarship in the United States of America.
Annually, the Ron Brown program awards a minimum of 20 students a scholarship to study in any university located in the US. This Scholarship will cover your tuition, accommodation, medical, feeding allowance, books and every other college expenses. Selected students will be paid $10,000 each year for a period of 4 years. However, there are certain eligibility requirements and terms & conditions that must be met before being awarded the Ron Brown Scholarship.
As you read further, you will get to know how to apply successfully for the Ron Brown program. However, if you consider yourself ineligible after reading, check out some recommended college scholarships for you.
About Ron Brown Scholarship
Ronald H. Brown, the late Secretary of Commerce, birthed the now known Ron Brown Scholarship Program (RBSP). The RBSP was established in 1996 by the CAP Charitable Foundation to honor the legacy of Ronald Brown.
The RBSP is a selective, multi-level scholarship and leadership program which focuses on academic achievement, community service and career immersion for African American college bound high school seniors.
Since it’s establishment, African American youth have benefitted from the program. These youths are now leaders, creators and transformers on their college campuses and in their chosen careers and professions, all while remaining dedicated to impacting the lives of others.
Through the RBSP, students are not only provided financial assistance, but also guided and cultured on the path of leadership to impact positively on others in the communities.
While students are given the opportunity for a free education, the RBSP also created a second optional opportunity for top scholars of the Ron Program. This opportunity is called the “Ron Brown Captain Program.” The Captain Program selects students from the top tier of scholarship applications each year. These students represent the top two to three percent of applicants in the scholarship selection process.
Unfortunately, Ron Brown Captains (scholars) do not receive financial support. However, they are provided with resources through the Ron Brown Leaders Network. These resources include job and internship access, leadership development activities, webinars and service opportunities.
Scholarship Mission
RBSP is on a mission to advance higher education and improve the lives of public service-minded and intellectually gifted African Americans and to accelerate their progress into impactful leadership roles and opportunities.
Why you should apply for this Scholarship
Apply for this scholarship If you believe you have the leadership spirit, but no platform to fully exhibit your full potentials.
The world we live in today needs transformational leaders to make it a better place. Thankfully, the Ron Brown program is offering students like you the opportunity to better yourself and others around you.
If you have the mindset of changing the world by impacting positively on people, RBSP will gladly grant you an opportunity.
Who can apply for the RBSP
The Ron Brown Scholarship is open to current high school seniors who are Black/African Americans in the United States. The scholarship implies that the applicant must not be a current college student at the time of application.
Also, applicants should demonstrate academic achievement, exhibit leadership ability, participate in community service activities and have a demonstrated financial need. This opportunity is available for U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Programs to Study
Scholars are allowed to study any field of their choice in any university in US. RBSP will award students based on assessments and performance recorded via application. Students can choose to study engineering, medicine, science & technology, arts & humanities, accounting and so on. However, the duration of the Ron Brown program will last for 4 years. After four years of studying, the scholar’s scholarship grants will be terminated.
Ron Brown Scholarship Requirements
To be considered eligible for RBSP, you must fulfill the following conditions:
- Applicant must be a Black/African American
- You must have good academic record
- Applicant must exhibit leadership abilities
- Be a citizen of the United States or permanent resident
- You must be in need of financial assistance
- Participate in community service activities
- Applicant must be a high school senior at the time of application.
How to apply for Ron Brown Scholarship 2023
Current college students are not eligible to apply for this scholarship. Follow the instructions below to apply.
- Download the application form
- Correctly fill out the application form.
- Attach a list of your extracurricular, community, employment or other activities in order of their importance to you. Indicate the dates you participated in the activity, positions held, and the number of hours per week you spend on each activity.
- List any significant awards or honors you have received during high school for academic or extracurricular achievements.
- Write two essays no more than 500 words, answering the following questions:
- Choose the one activity you listed as most important in question #3 and tell us why it is significant.
- Submit one essay that you plan to send or have sent as part of a college application. This may be on any topic. If your college application did not require an essay, please submit an essay on the topic of your choice.
- Submit two recommendation letters from reputable individuals in your community. One of your letters should be written by a teacher or any school professional.
- Submit your official transcript with most current semester course load and school profile with application materials.
- Compile all your supporting documents and submit together with your application form via a single mail. Be advised that Incomplete, emailed or faxed applications will not be considered. Also ensure you keep copies of your application materials for reference/emergency purposes.
Note: Application materials must be submitted in one packet. Transcripts and letters of recommendation should not be sent under separate cover. SAT/ACT scores must be included on the application at the time it is mailed. Incomplete, emailed or faxed applications will not be considered.
Ron Brown Scholarship essay
Applicants are instructed to submit two written essays alongside their application form. These essays are to be answered separately with no more than 500 words.
- Choose the one activity you listed as most important in the list of your extracurricular, community, employment or other activities and tell us why it is significant.
- Submit one essay that you plan to send or have sent as part of a college application. This may be on any topic. If your college application did not require an essay, please submit an essay on the topic of your choice.
Note: Scholarship essays should be taken seriously. If you don’t know how to write an essay, now is the time to learn the basics. Get an easy understanding on how to write a winning scholarship essay.
Documents needed for Application
- Application form
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Two (2) written essays
- Two (2) letters of recommendation
- Official school transcript
- Proof of US citizenship.
Selection Process
RBSP scholars are selected in the spring prior to entering college. The winners are selected based on several criterion such as application materials, interviews, participation in Selection Weekend activities hosted by the committee and more.
Applications are screened between November and February by the Ron Brown Scholar Program staff. Then in March, finalists are invited to participate in a weekend selection process in Washington, DC, at the expense of the Ron Brown Scholar Fund. Finalists are interviewed by members of the Ron Brown National Selection Committee and are expected to participate in several weekend activities.
Scholarship Benefits
Ron Brown Scholarship will cover Tuition, fees, books, room and board, computers, health insurance, study abroad and other college-related expenses. Total worth of scholarship is $40,000. Each year, scholars will receive $10,000 for a duration of four years.
Ron Brown Scholarship deadline 2023
The Ron Brown scholarship has two deadlines for application. To apply before any of the closure dates, make sure you are a current high school senior during application.
November 1 (postmarked)—application will be given early consideration for the Ron Brown Scholar Program.
January 9 (postmarked)—final deadline in order to be considered for the Ron Brown Scholar Program.
Note: Only semifinalists and finalists will be notified by the Ron Brown Scholar Program office in March. Winners of the scholarship will be notified by April 1, and names will be posted on the Ron Brown Scholar Program website in May.
Scholarship Contact info
For more inquires, do not hesitate to contact the Ron Brown Scholar Program with any of the following details.
485 Hillsdale Drive, Suite 206
Charlottesville, VA 22901
Phone: 434-964-1588
Fax: 434-964-1589
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ronbrown.org
Application Tips
The Ron Brown Scholarship accepts applications of over 5,000 students each year, but awards 50 applicants a fully funded scholarship. This shows you the acceptance rate is quite low, which makes the scholarship highly competitive.
Your success depends on how you structure your application, and these few tips will ultimately guide you.
- This scholarship application is not done online. You download the application form as provided in this article. Fill it out then mail it to Ron Brown Scholar Program, 485 Hillsdale Drive, Suite 206, Charlottesville, VA 22901.
- During application, you are to provide a verification of your parent’s income to prove need for financial assistance. This income should be the adjusted gross income on last year’s federal income tax return, that is, the return that they filed when you were a junior in high school.
- Your essay(s) is an opportunity to tell the scholarship committee about yourself. Always remember that!
- Make copies of your application form and documents, just in case.
- Do not apply for the Ron Brown Scholarship if you are a current college student. This scholarship is strictly for high school Blacks/African Americans.
- If you missed the scholarship application deadline, you may call to request an extension. Approval must be given by the Ron Brown Scholar Program in order for the deadline to be extended.
- Lastly, do not submit your application with incomplete supporting documents.
Important Notice: Read the terms & conditions before applying for this scholarship. In case you encounter difficulties during application, do not hesitate to contact the Ron Brown committee.
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Conclusion
The Ron Brown Scholarship Program is yet another opportunity for Blacks/American students living in the United States. Hundreds of students have benefitted from this program. Which basically means, you can also be a part of it. Start your application today, you might just be $40,000 richer. Have a thrilling college journey fully sponsored by the CAP Charitable Foundation.
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