Ron Brown Scholarships Program
Scholarship Sponsored by Ron Brown Scholarships Program
Ron Brown Scholar Program (RBSP) — Overview
The Ron Brown Scholarship celebrates the legacy of Ronald H. Brown by supporting higher education for intellectually talented, community-focused African American students. Each year the Ron Brown Scholar Program (RBSP) competitively selects 20 recipients for a renewable four-year award totaling $40,000 ($10,000 per year). Awards are aimed at high school seniors who are financially disadvantaged and who show a strong commitment to the four pillars central to Brown’s mission: public service, community engagement, business entrepreneurship, and global citizenship — all in service of uplifting people across races, cultures, and ethnicities.
Scholarship funds may be applied to attendance at any accredited four-year college or university in the United States and are not restricted to particular fields of study or career paths. Since the program began in 1996, 683 students have been honored as Ron Brown Scholars.
Eligibility
Interested students should apply if they meet the following requirements:
- Must be Black/African American.
- Must demonstrate strong academic achievement.
- Must show exceptional leadership potential.
- Must be actively involved in community service.
- Must demonstrate financial need.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or hold permanent resident status.
- Must be a current high school senior at the time of application.
Additional program feature: The Ron Brown Leaders Network connects Scholars, Captains, and alumni, offering mentorship, career development, and a broad professional network.