PUTTING YOUR BEST BRAND FORWARD:
February 3, 2026
AGENDA
6 ABOUT TMCF
TYPES of TMCF scholarships
NAVIGATING our scholarship platform
NAVIGATING the video and photo submission
5
NEXT STEPS and applicant checklist WRAP UP/Q&A
SCHOLARSHIP TEAM
JACQUELINE POWERS
Vice President of Scholarships
SHANA PRYOR
Senior Director of Scholarships
ANDRE SANDERS
Senior Director of Research, Evaluation Services & Capacity Building
CHARISE GARRETT
Director of Scholarships
AMY BOYD Director of Data Analytics & Technology
Assistant Director, Strategic Transformation & Scholar Experience
TESHENA DEBREW
SCHOLARSHIP TEAM
NATASHA RAMSEY
Senior Manager of Scholarships
NATASHA SPENCER
Senior Manager of Scholarships
BRYAN WOODSON Scholarship Manager
SHANNON STEWART Scholarship Manager
MILDRED LEON Scholarship Coordinator
LINDA PILCHER Scholarship Coordinator
KE’MARI CAVER Coordinator, Organizational Research
JESSICA ALCINDOR Manager, Organizational Research
ABOUT TMCF
Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black college community. TMCF member schools include the publicly supported historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), historically Black community colleges (HBCCs, and predominantly Black institutions (PBIs). Publicly supported HBCUs enroll over 80% of all students attending HBCUs. Through scholarships, capacity-building and research initiatives, innovative programs and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization is also a source for top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs.
SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED
GAP COMPLETION
Provides funding to close the financial gap for students who have an urgent financial need.
ACCESS
Covers tuition, fees and on-campus room and board for various classifications of students.
PROGRAMMATIC
Just like an access scholarship, with the added benefit of support services aimed at strengthening leadership and professional development.
TMCF SCHOLARSHIPS OVERVIEW
HIGHLY COMPETITIVE
Submitting an application does not mean you will automatically receive a TMCF scholarship.
ASSIST WITH COSTS
TMCF scholarships are not required to cover full balances. These scholarships are meant to assist with costs, not eliminate entire bills. Students are still responsible for all other charges.
ONE AWARD PER ACADEMIC YEAR
If selected, students can only receive one TMCF scholarship during the academic year.
A RESOURCE, NOT THE ONLY SOURCE
Think of TMCF as part of your financial aid journey.
Continue to explore other scholarships, grants and financial aid options to build a complete package. TMCF scholarships awards may not align with the due date of your bill.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
BE PREPARED! KNOW THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
ALL APPLICANTS MUST
Answer the following statement (Video – maximum of two minutes):
2026-2027 statement:
What core principles or values do you believe are most essential to creating positive change in your community and future career field? How do you plan to embody them in both your educational pursuits and interactions with others?
2026-2027 SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT
TMCF | ENTERPRISE ACCESS HBCU SCHOLARSHIP
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and the Enterprise Mobility Foundation are proud to offer financial assistance to outstanding students attending TMCF’s member schools that include 57 publicly supported historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), historically Black community colleges (HBCCs), predominantly Black institutions (PBIs), medical and law schools. Eighty-one (81) scholars will be selected to receive a need-based scholarship of up to $15,000 for the 2026-2027 academic year.
All applicants must submit a video response:
Answer the following statement (two minutes max): Applications must be submitted by Jan. 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST APPLY HERE
What core principles or values do you believe are most essential to creating positive change in your community and future career field? How do you plan to embody them in both your educational pursuits and interactions with others?
TMCF | ENTERPRISE ACCESS HBCU SCHOLARSHIP
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Be a full-time enrolled student as an undergraduate freshman, sophomore, junior or senior at a TMCF HBCU member school during the 2026-2027 academic school year.
Able to demonstrate a financial need and have a 2026-2027 FAFSA on file by the time of selection
Open to all majors and a current cumulative grade point average of 2.5 to 2.75
Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
TMCF | ENTERPRISE ACCESS HBCC SCHOLARSHIP
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) and the Enterprise Mobility Foundation are proud to offer financial assistance to outstanding students attending TMCF’s member schools that include 57 publicly supported historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), historically Black community colleges (HBCCs), predominantly Black institutions (PBIs), medical and law schools. Thirty-Four (34) historically Black community colleges (HBCCs) scholars will be selected to receive a need-based scholarship of up to $1,500 for the 20262027 academic school year.
All applicants must submit a video response:
Answer the following statement (two minutes max): Applications must be submitted by Jan. 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST APPLY HERE
What core principles or values do you believe are most essential to creating positive change in your community and future career field? How do you plan to embody them in both your educational pursuits and interactions with others?
TMCF | ENTERPRISE ACCESS HBCC SCHOLARSHIP
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Be a full-time enrolled student at a TMCF HBCC member school during the 20262027 academic year
Open to all majors and a current cumulative grade point average of 2.5 to 2.75
Able to demonstrate a financial need and have a 2026-2027 FAFSA on file by the time of selection
Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
NAVIGATING OUR SCHOLARSHIP PLATFORM
1 2 3 4 scholarships.tmcf.org GO TO Register SELECT
HOW TO CREATE AN ACCOUNT IN THE TMCF SCHOLARSHIP PLATFORM
TIPS FOR CREATING YOUR PROFILE
Use an email that you will check regularly
Incoming first-year students - Please do not use your high school email address. Consider creating a college email address specifically for all of your college communication
All students - please do not use your parent/guardian’s email address
Make sure the spelling of your name is correct
Double check that the digits in your phone number have not been transposed AND the number belongs to you
Enter your full name (first, middle [optional] and last).
Select your date of birth (month, day, year).
Choose your gender from the available options.
Select your U.S. citizenship status (Important for international students with I-20 Visa).
Indicate if you are a veteran or dependent of a U.S. military veteran.
Answer if you are a first-generation college student (yes or no).
Select how you heard about TMCF (e.g., TMCF employee, online, school).
Check your race/ethnicity or choose not to respond.
Indicate if you are Hispanic or Latino (yes or no).
Enter
Select your academic classification for the 2026-2027 year (e.g., college senior).
Choose your enrollment status (full-time or part-time).
Indicate if you attend or plan to attend an HBCU, HBCC or PBI.
Select your college/university for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Choose your primary area of study (e.g., engineering).
Enter your anticipated graduation semester and year (e.g., spring 2026).
Provide your current weighted cumulative GPA (e.g., 3.5).
Indicate if you have a college student ID and enter the ID number if applicable.
Confirm if you have completed the FAFSA for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Important: These questions help determine eligibility for additional scholarships. Please answer truthfully, as all information will be verified.
Indicate if you participate in your college band program.
Specify if you are a previous awardee of a Lowe’s scholarship/fund.
State if you have any affiliations with golf.
Enter a certificate number from the GU272 Descendants Association (if applicable).
Agree to share your student information with TMCF through the National Student Clearinghouse.
Review and agree to the FERPA waiver, allowing TMCF to access academic and financial aid records.
Once you submit your information, the system will automatically match you with all the scholarships you are eligible for.
Check the number at the top of your dashboard—this indicates how many opportunities you qualify for.
Pay close attention to these numbers and what they represent, as they help you track your scholarship matches and next steps.
Stay on top of your dashboard to ensure you do not miss any important deadlines or actions. To apply for each scholarship, you must click "Click
to Apply" on your dashboard.
NAVIGATING THE VIDEO AND PHOTO SUBMISSION PROCESS
APPLICATION VIDEO DO’S
Create a formal script
Practice! Practice! Practice!
Dress appropriately, have adequate lighting and a proper background
Read and answer ALL parts of the video prompt
Showcase your personality and articulate yourself
Share your personal experiences
Record rough drafts!
Get feedback (teachers, counselors, friends, parents)
Double-check your links! Any links that are private or unavailable will result in a score of 0
APPLICATION VIDEO DONT’S
Appear unprepared to respond
Hire a videographer - this should be a selfie-style video, not a production (but do have fun)
Give biography based on merits and awards. You must focus on the question and answer it appropriately
Submit an old/unrelated videoLast year’s submission will not be accepted
Focus on the negativedemonstrate positive impact
TIPS FOR SHARING YOUR APPLICATION VIDEO
Upload video
Select the file you want to share
Choose who can access the file and select “anyone with this link”
Click share
Under “general access,” click the down arrow
Select “viewer” as the role
Click done
TIPS FOR SHARING YOUR APPLICATION VIDEO
Create an account
Upload video
Select the file you want to share
Make sure the video is marked as “UNLISTED”
Unlisted videos are still public, but you’ll need to provide people with a direct link to see the video. In addition, these videos won’t appear in the YouTube search results or your video feed.
OTHER VIDEO APPLICATIONS
USING iCloud
When applying for opportunities at TMCF, you will see messaging that states it can take several months to hear a decision
We strongly advise applicants not to use services like iCloud to share videos and/or professional photos. iCloud Links automatically expire after 30 days
Any submissions with expired links will automatically be scored as 0
TIPS FOR SHARING YOUR PROFESSIONAL PHOTO
LIKE YOUR VIDEO SUBMISSION, WE WANT
YOU TO PROVIDE YOUR BEST
PROFESSIONAL PHOTO
Remember this is not a photo you would upload casually to social media. This one represents you as a scholar and showcases what you would want our corporate partners
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID
PROFILE AND ACCOUNT MISTAKES TO AVOID
Creating multiple accounts with different email addresses
This will not increase your chance of award but can prolong your process
Having someone who isn’t you (parents)
creating the profile or account
Oftentimes they forget they’re you and input their information
Adding a phone number you do not answer Incorrect numbers or non-working numbers could cost you an opportunity
Do not add your parent’s contact information
Creating a password you cannot remember
APPLICATION MISTAKES TO AVOID
Use of school email versus personal email
College/university for academic year 2026-2027
Current classification versus classification for academic year 2026-2027
Completing the application in haste
NEXT STEPS AND APPLICANT CHECKLIST
WHAT’S NEXT?
Scholarship opportunities you qualify for will be automatically generated within the scholarship platform.
Once the application is closed, it is final - responses cannot be edited or changed.
All self-reported responses will be verified with the student’s institution prior to being awarded
If a specific scholarship does not appear on the dashboard, this means the student does not match the scholarship eligibility criteria
WHAT’S NEXT?
Notification of scholarship status will begin in July.
(gap scholarships will be awarded beginning in the fall semester until funds are exhausted)
Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee a scholarship
Be sure to over-communicate (e.g. school changes)
Parents: please do not create your student’s account, complete the application or take the lead on all communications
APPLICANT CHECKLIST
ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS on the application
SUBMIT by the deadline - NO LATE SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED!
CHECK YOUR DASHBOARD for ongoing follow-ups
READ each video prompt and ANSWER all components
NO MULTIPLE accounts created
DO NOT put all your eggs in one basket
REVIEW all links and ensure they work and are not private!
CHECK emails and RESPOND promptly
BECAUSE you applied does not GUARANTEE an award!
2026-2027 SCHOLARSHIP
Q&A
