UNCF

Fisk University (a UNCF-member institution) secured a $4 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education to expand its Justice Propulsion Lab (JPL)’s work in civil discourse, constitutional literacy and conflict transformation. The JPL is a research, policy and practice center dedicated to understanding violence, developing agents equipped to confront it and cultivating peace and justice.

Fatima Aboeid’s dream of going to college was made possible thanks to the generosity of UNCF donors. The first-generation college student is majoring in business with a concentration in marketing at UNCF-member institution Clark Atlanta University. She expects to graduate in May 2027. Aboeid’s parents were born and raised in Sudan and did not have the opportunity to attend college. As one of 11 children, Aboeid understood that paying for college would be a significant challenge for her family.

Historic donation by the James and Judith K. Dimon Foundation grants freedom to 12 UNCF-member institutions, which have nurtured students into leaders for more than a century. I have spent almost seven decades of my professional life as a professor at several colleges and universities, then as the president of Spelman and Bennett Colleges. I now have the honor and joy of serving as a president-in-resident and one of the four co-chairs of UNCF’s capital campaign.

Benedict College continues its sustained enrollment growth, welcoming 731 new traditional undergraduate students for Fall 2026, the College’s highest new traditional undergraduate enrollment since Fall 2019 and a 15.3% increase over Fall 2025. This marks the third consecutive year of new undergraduate enrollment growth for the College. Since Fall 2023, new traditional undergraduate enrollment has increased more than 56%. Growth is particularly strong among first-time, first-year students.

Key Takeaways The 2026-27 FAFSA opened early and now runs about 36 questions instead of more than 100. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act reshapes loans and Pell Grants starting July 1, 2026. Parent PLUS loans now cap at $20,000 per year and $65,000 total per child, and Grad PLUS loans are no longer available. Family farms and small businesses no longer count as assets on the form. File early. The 2026-27 deadline is June 30, 2027, but many state and college deadlines are much earlier.

Key Takeaways Mentors help students navigate academic and career decisions. Strong mentoring relationships can boost confidence and persistence. Mentorship often leads to valuable networking and internship opportunities. Students with mentors tend to experience stronger academic and professional outcomes. UNCF and its member HBCUs provide mentoring, coaching and professional development opportunities that help students succeed.

Are you ready to apply to UNCF Scholarships? Here’s a few tips and tricks from our Outreach and Recruitment team to help guide you in the application process. Check UNCF Opportunities Every Two Weeks Review UNCF scholarship opportunities every other week for newly posted scholarships and updated deadlines. Confirm eligibility requirements before applying. Apply Broadly Apply for every scholarship for which you meet the eligibility requirements.

Key Takeaways Many students now use AI for their coursework. Follow your instructors’ and school’s AI policies to ethically use the technology and stay within academic integrity guidelines. HBCUs have near-universal AI adoption, highlighting how these institutions prepare students to thrive in an AI-driven future. Fact-check all content produced by AI. AI can hallucinate, misspell, plagiarize and more.

Key Takeaways HBCUs generate $16.5 billion in annual economic impact and support more than 136,000 jobs nationwide. Graduates from HBCUs continue to drive economic mobility, with the 2021 graduating class projected to earn $146 billion in lifetime earnings. Applications to public HBCUs have increased 126% since 2004, demonstrating growing demand for these institutions.

Key Takeaways Look beyond physical aesthetic to uncover the true daily student experience. Ask direct questions about undergraduate research opportunities, advisor accessibility and academic support. Investigate campus life during weekends, dining options and housing availability for upper-level students. Gauge future professional success by asking about local internship placement, alum networks and career center engagement.