College Resources for Minority Students and LGBTQ students

Learn more about scholarships, get help with your college search and other resources for schools.

All prospective college students have a number of academic resources available to them that can be beneficial in both choosing a university and finding financial aid to help pay for college.

For minority students, there are several organizations geared toward helping them succeed in their college search and find the right school. Similarly, LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) students have their own education resources to help them find a college.

General Community and Academic Resources for Colleges and Universities

Local community institutions are a great place to start for minority and LGBTQ students. For example, churches with a predominantly black congregation often offer outreach programs and/or scholarship opportunities.

Additionally, minority affairs offices of specific colleges can offer a wealth of resources tailored for minorities seeking university enrollment and financial aid. Sororities or fraternities that have a historically black or Hispanic fellowship may also provide outreach programs to those pursuing a prospective college, degree program or major.

Below are organizations that offer assistance and information to students. For additional resources, talk to your guidance counselor or leaders of any groups you belong to.

ASPIRA National Office
1444 I Street, NW Suite 800
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 835-3600
Education resource for Hispanic youth

INROADS, Inc.
10 South Broadway, Suite 300
St. Louis, Missouri 63102
(314) 241-7488
Prepares minority youth for roles in business and community leadership

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME)
440 Hamilton Ave, Suite 302
White Plains NY 10601-1813
914-539-4010
Offers resources, data on courses and scholarships for minority students interested in engineering

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
4805 Mt. Hope Drive
Baltimore, MD 21215
(877) NAACP-98
Provides resource and college information for African-American youth.

The National Urban League (NUL)
120 Wall Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10005
(212) 558-5300
Offers scholarships and academic achievement initiatives for African-Americans seeking to further their careers through a college education

United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
8260 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive
P.O. Box 10444
Fairfax, VA 22031-8044
1-800-331-2244
Offers internship and scholarship programs to African-American students of all majors and degree programs

American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC)
121 Oronoco Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 838-0400
Provides guidance and resources to those of American Indian descent who are seeking resources for colleges and universities

Gates Millennium Scholars
P.O. Box 10500
Fairfax, VA 22031-8044
(877) 690-4677
Offers scholarships for minority students

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)
8415 Datapoint Drive, Suite 400
San Antonio, TX 78229
(210) 692-3805
Fosters education programs and financial aid for Hispanic students seeking advancement in degrees and careers

Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), Headquarters
55 Second Street, Suite 1500
San Francisco, CA 94105
(877) HSF-INFO
Largest resource to find college scholarships for Hispanic students

LEAGUE Foundation
One AT&T Way, Rm 4B214J
Bedminster, NJ 07921-2694
(703) 69-5734
Offers scholarship opportunities for LBGTQ students seeking degrees from universities

Academic Resources Tips & Tactics

• How do you know if you’ll fit in at a college or university? Scheduling an in-person college visit can give you a good idea. Go on a campus tour, schedule an interview, meet with students groups for your race, ethnicity or sexual orientation, and arrange to stay overnight with students, so you can ask them what college life is like. Also, pick up a college newspaper to see how issues are addressed on-campus.
• When you contact the organizations above, find out if there are additional organizations they recommend you contact for financial aid or college assistance. The more resources you have, the better prepared you’ll be to attend and pay for college.
• If you still have questions about whether a college has adequate resources for you and will provide you with a positive environment, contact the admissions office or on-campus groups.

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