UNCF Michael Jackson Scholarship
Offered by UNCF (United Negro College Fund)
About This Scholarship
The Michael Jackson Endowed Scholarship, administered by UNCF, supports communications and performing arts majors attending UNCF member colleges and universities. Established in the entertainer's name, the award provides up to $4,000 for the 2026-27 academic year, with the final amount set by the financial aid administrator at the recipient's school based on demonstrated need.
Applicants must hold a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. The portal lists eligible classifications from college freshman through fifth-year senior and master's students, making this one of the few UNCF awards that reaches into graduate study. Majors must fall within communication, journalism and related programs, or visual and performing arts.
The application package includes an online form, an essay responding to a prompt inside the application, a transcript (unofficial accepted), and a completed reference form from a recommender — all due by the deadline. This is a one-time award, and previous recipients must reapply for reconsideration.
Eligibility
- Enrolled at a UNCF member college or university for the 2026-27 academic year
- Majoring in communications, journalism, or visual/performing arts
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
- Demonstrated financial need as determined by your school's financial aid office
How To Apply
- Create a profile on the UNCF opportunities portal at opportunities.uncf.org
- Complete the online application form and the essay prompt inside the application
- Upload a transcript (unofficial accepted)
- Have your recommender submit the reference form online
- Submit everything by September 30, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. EST
Frequently Asked Questions
Which schools are eligible?
You must attend one of UNCF's 37 member institutions — private HBCUs such as Spelman, Morehouse, Xavier of Louisiana, and Tuskegee — during the 2026-27 academic year.
Can graduate students apply?
Yes. The eligible classifications listed on the UNCF portal include master's students in addition to undergraduates from freshman through fifth-year senior.
How is the award amount decided?
Awards go up to $4,000, with the exact amount based on your financial need as determined by your school's financial aid administrator.