TMCF McDonald's Black and Positively Golden Scholarship
Offered by Thurgood Marshall College Fund
About This Scholarship
The McDonald's Black and Positively Golden Scholarship is one of the larger awards administered by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, providing up to $15,000 each to 60 scholars for the 2027-2028 academic year. Funded through McDonald's Black and Positively Golden community initiative, the program targets students who pair academic performance with visible leadership.
Eligibility extends to full-time undergraduates — freshman through senior — at TMCF member institutions, which include publicly supported HBCUs, historically Black community colleges, predominantly Black institutions, and affiliated medical and law schools. Applicants need a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher, U.S. citizenship or permanent residency, and must demonstrate both leadership ability and financial need.
The written portion is short but strict: a 200-word response to the prompt asking how you plan to use your education to change the world, covering concrete actions you have taken or plan to take. Awards are disbursed in two installments, fall 2027 and spring 2028, applied to tuition and fees.
Eligibility
- Full-time undergraduate (freshman through senior) at a TMCF member institution (HBCUs, HBCCs, PBIs, and affiliated medical/law schools)
- Cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher
- U.S. citizen or valid permanent resident
- Demonstrated leadership ability and financial need
How To Apply
- Create an account on the TMCF Scholarship Portal at scholarships.tmcf.org
- Complete the 2027-2028 McDonald's Black and Positively Golden Scholarship application
- Write a 200-word response on how you plan to use your education to change the world
- Submit before April 23, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. EST
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can I receive?
Selected scholars receive up to $15,000 for the 2027-2028 academic year, paid in two installments — one in fall 2027 and one in spring 2028 — toward tuition and fees.
How long is the essay?
The response is capped at 200 words, answering how you plan to use your education to change the world. With so little space, specific actions and results matter more than broad statements.
When should I apply?
The application opened August 3, 2026 and closes April 23, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Awards apply to the 2027-2028 school year, so current freshmen through juniors (and seniors heading to an eligible program) can apply during 2026-27.