Gayle & Tom Benson Endowed UNCF Scholarship
Offered by UNCF
About This Scholarship
Funded by the Gayle and Tom Benson Charitable Foundation — the philanthropy of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner — this UNCF-administered scholarship provides need-based awards of up to $5,000 exclusively to Louisiana residents. Recipients can attend any accredited four-year college or university in the country, so long as they are enrolled full-time for the 2026-27 academic year.
Need is verified rather than self-reported: applicants must file the FAFSA and have unmet financial need confirmed by their school's financial aid office. Academics matter too, with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA required.
The application runs through UNCF's online portal and includes a one-page personal statement on career interests, a transcript, and one letter of recommendation from a non-relative — the letter must come through the application system, not by email. Selection weighs academic performance, essay quality, financial need, and the recommendation, with awards announced by email within 10-12 weeks of the deadline.
Eligibility
- Reside in or be a permanent resident of Louisiana
- Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- FAFSA on file with demonstrated unmet financial need verified by your college
- Enrolled full-time at an accredited four-year college or university for 2026-27
- U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
How To Apply
- Submit the online application through UNCF's scholarship portal by September 11, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
- Include a one-page personal statement on your career interests and a recent transcript
- Arrange one letter of recommendation from a non-relative, submitted through the UNCF application system by the deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to attend college in Louisiana?
No. You must be a Louisiana resident, but the scholarship can be used at any accredited four-year college or university, including HBCUs and schools outside the state.
How will I know if I won?
UNCF sends a confirmation email when your application is complete, and final awards are announced by email within 10-12 weeks after the September 11, 2026 close date.