For DonorsFor Applicants

Michele L. Durant Scholarship

Funded by
$1,500
2 winners, $750 each
Open
Application Deadline
May 15, 2025
Winners Announced
Jun 15, 2025
Education Level
Undergraduate, Graduate
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
Incoming undergraduate, graduate, or trade school student
GPA:
2.5 GPA or higher
Gender:
Female-identifying
Race:
Black

Michele L. Durant was a beloved mother, wife, aunt, sister, daughter, and friend who passed away from uterine cancer on August 14, 2019.

She lived a full life as a black woman in the United States Air Force and was known as a “forever” student. She believed in the importance of education and financed immense debt in order to earn her degrees in both veterinary medicine and public health, among other certificates. Historically, black students borrow at higher rates than their white peers. Even moreso, black women often don’t have the resources they need to succeed. In particular, black women take longer to pay off their student loans. This is in part due to a greater wage gap for black women post-college accompanied by having fewer mentors in high-paying fields and positions that share their demographic.

This scholarship aims to monetarily assist women of color in pursuing higher education to free up their time and resources and allow them to focus on obtaining leadership roles and effecting necessary change.

Any black or African American female student entering an undergraduate, graduate, or trade school program with at least a 2.5 GPA may apply for this scholarship opportunity.

To apply, tell us about yourself and how you will make a difference in your community and the world at large in the future.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Impact
Published November 12, 2024
Essay Topic

Please tell us a bit about yourself and how you plan to make a positive impact on the world and your community.

400–600 words

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is May 15, 2025. Winners will be announced on Jun 15, 2025.