Scholarships for Black Students: 10 Big October and November Deadlines

Fall is scholarship season, and the biggest awards do not wait for spring. We checked the official sites for the current cycle and pulled together 10 major scholarships for Black students with deadlines in October and November 2026, from full rides to $35,000 essay prizes. Most are open to students of every background, which means Black students with strong records should be in the pool. Here is who qualifies, what each one pays, and when it is due.

October Deadlines: Scholarships for Black Students to Finish Now

1. QuestBridge National College Match: October 1

For high-achieving high school seniors from low-income families. Students who match receive a full four-year scholarship covering “tuition, housing, food, and other expenses” with no parental contribution and no student loans, at one of QuestBridge’s 55 college partners. QuestBridge’s guidance points to households earning less than $65,000 a year for a family of four, with minimal assets. The official timeline sets the application deadline at October 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific, with Match Day on December 1.

2. Morehead-Cain Scholarship (UNC-Chapel Hill): October 1

UNC-Chapel Hill’s flagship merit scholarship. North Carolina students can self-nominate, while students elsewhere in the U.S. apply through a nominating school or program. The Morehead-Cain deadlines page says all materials for the Class of 2031 are due October 1.

3. Knight-Hennessy Scholars (Stanford graduate school): October 6

For college graduates heading to any Stanford graduate program. Knight-Hennessy funding covers tuition and fees, a living stipend, and an annual travel stipend for up to three years. The deadline for the 2027 cohort is October 6, 2026, at 1 p.m. Pacific.

4. Rhodes Scholarship (United States): October 7

For U.S. applicants pursuing graduate study at the University of Oxford. The award pays Oxford course fees, an annual stipend, visa costs, and two economy flights, according to Rhodes House. The U.S. application closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on October 7, 2026. Read the official Information for Candidates for age and citizenship rules.

5. Robertson Scholars Leadership Program: October 15 and November 15

For high school seniors applying to Duke University and/or UNC-Chapel Hill. The Robertson program covers eight semesters of full tuition, room and board, and most mandatory fees, plus funding for up to three summer experiences. Per the high school applicant page, the early notification deadline is October 15, 2026, and the regular deadline is November 15, 2026.

6. Burger King Scholars: opens October 15

For high school seniors, with awards from $1,000 to $60,000. Selection considers GPA, work experience, activities, financial need, and community service. The Burger King Foundation says the application opens October 15, 2026, and closes at 30,000 applications or on December 15, whichever comes first. Apply early, because it can close before the posted date.

7. VFW Voice of Democracy: October 31

For students in grades 9 to 12. Students record an audio essay on this year’s theme, “What a Veteran Taught Me About America,” and submit it with an entry form to a local participating VFW Post. According to the VFW, the national winner receives a $35,000 scholarship and state winners receive at least $1,000. Middle schoolers can enter the Patriot’s Pen essay contest, which carries a $5,000 top prize and the same October 31 deadline.

November Deadlines to Put on the Calendar

8. Regeneron Science Talent Search: November 5

For seniors living in and attending their last year of high school in the U.S. and its territories, regardless of citizenship. You submit a research report on an original project, recommendations, and short essays. The Society for Science names 300 scholars who each get $2,000 (plus $2,000 for their schools), and the top prize is $250,000. The application deadline is November 5, 2026, at 8 p.m. Eastern.

9. Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship: November 11

For high school seniors with a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.75 or higher and a family adjusted gross income up to $95,000. The award is worth as much as $55,000 per year for tuition, living expenses, books, and fees. The Cooke Foundation set the deadline at November 11, 2026.

10. Elks Most Valuable Student: November 12

For high school seniors who are U.S. citizens, with no Elks connection needed. The Elks National Foundation awards 500 four-year scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $7,500 a year, and the top 20 winners each receive $30,000 over four years. The official page says the deadline is November 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.

Two More Worth Knowing

• Coca-Cola Scholars Program: If you are reading this before September 30, there is still time. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation names 150 high school seniors who each receive $20,000, and applicants need at least a 3.0 GPA. The deadline is September 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eastern.
• Ron Brown Scholar Program: Created for Black high school seniors who excel academically, lead, serve their communities, and have financial need. The Ron Brown Signature Scholarship awards 20 four-year scholarships of $40,000 ($10,000 a year). The application is due December 1, so start it in November.

HBCU students should also check the UNCF scholarship portal regularly, since programs open and close all year, and read our guide to TMCF scholarships.

Application Tips That Make a Difference

• Build a master calendar. Write every deadline down with its time zone. A 5 p.m. Eastern deadline is 2 p.m. in California.
• Ask for recommendations now. Give teachers and counselors at least two weeks, plus a short list of your activities and goals.
• Write one strong core essay. Most programs ask versions of the same questions: who you are, what you overcame, what you want to build. Draft a strong story once, then tailor it to each prompt.
• Be specific about impact. Numbers and names beat adjectives. “I tutored 14 middle schoolers every Saturday” says more than “I love helping others.”
• File the FAFSA too. Many need-based awards rely on it. Our guide to the 2027-28 FAFSA explains what to do now.

Scholarship Scam Warning

Real scholarships do not charge you to apply or to “hold” your award. The Federal Trade Commission’s guide to scholarship scams lists red flags, including “The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back,” “We’ll do all the work. You just pay a processing fee,” and “I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.” Always apply through the official website listed above, never through a link in an unexpected text or direct message.

Your Next Move

Pick three scholarships from this list tonight, put the deadlines in your phone, and send one recommendation request tomorrow morning. Then share this list with a student, parent, or counselor who needs it. Somebody in your circle is one application away from a debt-free degree.