Black Colleagues Association (BCA) Scholarship 2026–2027

The Black Colleagues Association (BCA) at Illinois State University offers multiple scholarships to support and empower Black students demonstrating academic excellence, leadership, and service. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000, funded by alumni, faculty, and community partners. The program honors the legacy of influential ISU alumni, including Andrew Purnell Jr. and Judge Russell DeBow, who dedicated their lives to education and community progress.

Summary:

1. Application Deadline: December 3, 2025
2. Value: $1,000–$5,000 (varies by award)
3. Study Level: Undergraduate and Graduate
4. Sponsor: Illinois State University
5. Eligible Country: All Countries

Eligibility Criteria for Black Colleagues Association (BCA) Scholarship 2026–2027

The following scholarships are awarded by the Black Colleagues Association, a chartered affinity network of the Alumni Association. Recipients of the scholarships should review all criteria and information needed within the application.

Please note that undergraduates are eligible to apply for all scholarships administered by the Black Colleagues Association (freshmen cannot apply for the Lewis and Mills or Eric D. Tapley Brothers on Campus Scholarships). Graduate students are eligible to apply for the Andrew Purnell Jr. Scholarship, the Judge Russell DeBow Scholarship, the Theta Delta Commemorative Public Service Scholarship, the Jones Family Scholarship, the Gamma Rho Chapter Alumnae Scholarship, and the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Lambda Epsilon Chapter Scholarship.

For current student applicants of the Andrew Purnell Jr. Scholarship, Jones Family Scholarship, Gamma Rho Chapter Alumnae Scholarship, or Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Lambda Epsilon Chapter Scholarship, preference is given to those who are members of a minimum of one African American-related student organization. If the applicant is an incoming student, no preference for student organization membership is required.

Only one application is required per student.

Benefits of Black Colleagues Association (BCA) Scholarship 2026–2027

1. Multiple scholarships ranging from $1,000–$5,000

How to Apply

Please be ready to provide the following information and documentation:

1. All of your contact information
2. Your University ID number (this number will look something like this: (812-34-5678), and will be given to you when you apply to the University)
3. If applicable, your high school information (number of Honors/AP courses)
4. If applicable, your college information (last college attended, date of entry to Illinois State)
5. Class level status you will be upon enrolling for fall 2026
6. Month/year you expect to graduate from ISU
7. Your major of study
8. Number of members in immediate family; of those attending college or high school
9. Two letters of recommendation from a teacher/professor, coach, supervisor, or manager. Please send this link to your recommender.

For more details, visit Illinois State University Scholarship Webpage

Application Deadline

December 3, 2025

Application Link(s)

• Apply for Black Colleagues Association (BCA) Scholarship 2026–2027