McDonald’s to Award $500,000 in Scholarships to HBCU Students

McDonald’s USA has announced that it will award half a million dollars to incoming and current HBCU students through its Black & Positively Golden Scholarship Program. The program will be administered in partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF).

“We are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with McDonald’s and work with these exceptional students,” Dr. Harry L. Williams, President and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), said. “Amid the uncertainty and confusion of the current state of the world, students remain some of the key drivers of change. They are rising to the challenges they are facing and working hard to provide much-needed support to their families and communities. With the help of partners like McDonald’s, TMCF is committed to supporting these outstanding students and helping them develop into tomorrow’s industry leaders.”

According to a 2019 study, more students experience upward mobility at HBCUs than any other institutions, and nearly 70% of HBCUs students attain at least middle-class incomes.

“The McDonald’s scholarship I received came at a critical time and allowed me to focus on academics and my career aspirations,” said Olivia Harris, a 2020 Black & Positively Golden Scholarship recipient and junior at North Carolina Central University. “The knowledge I’m gaining at my HBCU is preparing me for the real world, and it’s incredible to see others have this scholarship opportunity as they pursue their dreams.”

Incoming and current HBCU students are encouraged to apply for the Black & Positively Golden Scholarship now through May 10 at 11:59 PM EST at www.tmcf.org. Thirty-four scholarships, up to $15,000 each will be awarded to students for the 2021-2022 academic year, and winners will be announced this summer.