The Ron Brown Signature Scholarship

Black seniors with a strong academic record who have led something real in their school, family, or neighborhood. Financial need matters here, so students from low-income households should not count themselves out.

• Must be Black/African American
• Must be a current high school senior at the time of application
• Must be a U.S. citizen or hold a permanent resident visa card
• Must excel academically
• Must show exceptional leadership potential
• Must participate in community service
• Must demonstrate financial need
• Funds may be used at any accredited four-year U.S. college or university, any major

• $40,000 paid as $10,000 per year across four undergraduate years
• Mentorship through college and into your career
• Access to the Ron Brown Leaders Network for professional development
• Internship connections
• Lifetime membership in the scholar community

• Online application form
• Two essays of about 500 words each: one answers a set prompt, one is on any topic you choose
• Official high school transcript
• Two letters of recommendation: at least one from a counselor, teacher, or principal; the second from an employer, mentor, or coach
• Adjusted gross income from last year's federal income tax return
• SAT/ACT scores are optional

• Use the open-topic essay to show something the rest of your file cannot. Readers see thousands of leadership essays, so write about the thing only you can write about.
• Ask recommenders in September, not November. Give them your resume and a note about what you want them to speak to.
• Get the transcript request in early. Transcripts must arrive by December 1 and school offices slow down in November.
• There is no advantage to submitting early, so use the full window to revise the essays.
• If you are not selected as a Scholar, you may still be named a Ron Brown Captain, which about 2 to 3 percent of applicants receive. It is worth applying even if the odds feel long.

20 scholars are selected each year. Selection runs in five rounds: application review in January, semifinalist notification in February, virtual interviews and finalist notification by March 1, finalist interviews in Washington, D.C., and winners announced April 1. Roughly 200 additional students are named Ron Brown Captains. The program reports a 99 percent graduation rate among scholars.