TMCF McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden Scholarship
Offered by Thurgood Marshall College Fund and McDonald’s
About this scholarship
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund and McDonald’s Black & Positively Golden Scholarship will select 60 students for need-based awards of up to $15,000 for the 2027–2028 academic year. The official application opened August 3, 2026 and closes April 23, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants must be full-time undergraduate freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors at an HBCU during 2027–2028 and have at least a 2.7 cumulative GPA. They must also demonstrate financial need and leadership and be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Award funds are divided between fall 2027 and spring 2028 and may be used for verifiable average tuition and usual fees. To apply, students register or sign in to the TMCF Scholarship Portal, complete the general student profile, and use the matched-opportunities dashboard to submit the scholarship-specific materials. The required short essay asks applicants to explain in 200 words how they plan to use their education to change the world, the actions they have taken or plan to take, and how they will serve and uplift their community. TMCF advises applicants to maintain only one portal account and to verify that all matched-scholarship materials have been submitted.
Eligibility
- Be enrolled full time as an undergraduate freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior at an HBCU during the 2027–2028 academic year
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7
- Demonstrate leadership ability
- Demonstrate financial need
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident with valid documentation
- Complete the TMCF student profile and submit the matched scholarship application in the portal
- Submit the required 200-word education, impact, and community-service essay
- Complete all materials by April 23, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time