Quilt Endowed Scholarship Program
Offered by UNCF
About This Scholarship
The Quilt Endowed Scholarship Program, established by Bowie and Helen Duncan in partnership with UNCF, supports students training to become teachers. It provides a one-time, need-based award of up to $2,500, disbursed in Fall 2026, to full-time students majoring in education.
Priority goes to students at UNCF member colleges and other HBCUs, but the program is also open to education majors at any accredited four-year institution in the U.S. Applicants need a 3.0 cumulative GPA and must have filed the FAFSA, with unmet financial need verified by their college or university.
The application package mirrors most UNCF programs: an online application, a current transcript, an essay presenting a personal statement of career interest, and one letter of recommendation from a non-relative. The recommendation must be completed through UNCF's online system by the September 14, 2026 deadline — emailed letters are not accepted.
Eligibility
- Majoring in the field of education
- Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- FAFSA completed with demonstrated unmet financial need verified by your school
- Enrolled full-time in Fall 2026, with priority for UNCF member colleges and other HBCUs, at an accredited U.S. four-year institution
- U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
How To Apply
- Complete the online application on UNCF's scholarship portal between August 3 and September 14, 2026
- Upload a current academic transcript and an essay stating your career interest in education
- Have a non-relative submit one letter of recommendation through the online application system by the deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this scholarship renewable?
No. The Quilt Endowed Scholarship is a one-time, need-based award of up to $2,500 disbursed in Fall 2026.
Do I have to attend an HBCU?
No, though enrollment at a UNCF member college or other HBCU is prioritized. Education majors at any accredited U.S. four-year institution may apply.