Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarships 2027: Up to $15,000 for HBCU Students

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Scholarships 2027 are open now, and they are the largest scholarship program built specifically for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The headline award, the TMCF | McDonald's Black and Positively Golden Scholarship, gives up to $15,000 to 60 scholars for the 2027-28 academic year. Applications opened on August 3, 2026 and close on April 23, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Here is the award, the eligibility rules, and exactly how to apply.

Quick answer: The Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarships 2027 offer up to $15,000 in need-based aid through the McDonald's Black and Positively Golden Scholarship for 60 full-time undergraduates at TMCF member schools, paid in fall 2027 and spring 2028 installments. The deadline is April 23, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Apply through the TMCF Scholarship Portal at scholarships.tmcf.org. A second TMCF award, the Sallie Mae Completing the Dream gap award of $2,500, closes sooner, on December 1, 2026.

How Much Is the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarship Worth?

TMCF distributes more than $33 million a year across its scholarship programs, with most awards ranging from about $2,500 to $15,000. The headline 2027-28 award is the McDonald's Black and Positively Golden Scholarship: up to $15,000 per scholar, for 60 scholars, paid in two installments for fall 2027 and spring 2028 and applied to verifiable tuition and usual fee costs. Other current TMCF awards include the Sallie Mae Completing the Dream gap award of $2,500 for 50 students graduating by spring 2027, the Lowe's Gap Scholarship of up to $5,000 for 25 business or STEM students, the Wells Fargo Gap Scholarship of up to $1,000 for 40 students, and the Eastern Area Links Finish Line Scholarship of up to $1,500 for 75 seniors. One TMCF profile auto-matches you to the open awards you qualify for.

Who Can Apply? Eligibility for 2027

According to the official TMCF program pages, you are eligible for the McDonald's Black and Positively Golden Scholarship if you:

• Are a full-time undergraduate freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior attending a TMCF member institution (one of 57 publicly supported HBCUs, historically Black community colleges, or predominantly Black institutions) during the 2027-28 academic year.
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale.
• Are a US citizen or legal permanent resident.
• Show financial need, since the award is need-based.
• Can submit a 200-word essay as part of the application.

The Sallie Mae gap award has different rules: a 2.75 GPA, graduation by spring 2027, and a two-minute video instead of an essay. TMCF notes that most of its awards are one-time and non-renewable, and that you should create one portal account, since general-application details cannot be changed after submission.

Read Also: UNCF STEM Scholars Program 2027: Up to $25,000
Read Also: APIA Scholars Scholarship 2027-28: $2,500 to $20,000

How to Apply for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarships

Apply online through the TMCF Scholarship Portal at scholarships.tmcf.org, starting from the official open-scholarships page at tmcf.org/scholarships/open-scholarships. Create one account and complete the general application, which auto-matches you to the awards you qualify for, then complete the listing-specific parts, such as the 200-word essay for the McDonald's award or the two-minute video for the Sallie Mae gap award. The McDonald's Black and Positively Golden deadline is April 23, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The gap awards (Sallie Mae, Lowe's, Wells Fargo, Eastern Area Links) close sooner, on December 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET, and the Sallie Mae award can close earlier if funds run out, so apply for those first.

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

• Apply for the December 1 gap awards first. They close months before the McDonald's award and can run out of funds early.
• Make your 200-word essay count. With only 200 words, pick one clear story about your goals and your community impact.
• Check that your school is a TMCF member. The network covers 57 publicly supported HBCUs, historically Black community colleges, and predominantly Black institutions, plus medical and law schools.
• Apply to more scholarships too. Our UNCF STEM Scholars guide covers another major award for Black students, and our guide to writing a scholarship essay that wins will help with the essay.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarship deadline for 2027?
April 23, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time for the McDonald's Black and Positively Golden Scholarship. The TMCF gap awards close December 1, 2026.

How much money does the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarship give?
Up to $15,000 for the McDonald's Black and Positively Golden Scholarship, for 60 scholars. Other TMCF awards range from $1,000 to $5,000, and TMCF distributes more than $33 million a year in total.

Who is eligible for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarship?
Full-time undergraduates at one of TMCF's 57 member HBCUs, historically Black community colleges, or predominantly Black institutions, with at least a 2.7 GPA, who are US citizens or legal permanent residents and show financial need.

How many McDonald's Black and Positively Golden Scholarships are awarded?
60 scholars for the 2027-28 academic year, paid in fall 2027 and spring 2028 installments toward tuition and fees.

Do I need an essay for the TMCF scholarship?
The McDonald's award needs a 200-word essay. The Sallie Mae gap award needs a two-minute video instead. Many other TMCF awards need no essay.

Where do I apply for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Scholarships?
Through the TMCF Scholarship Portal at scholarships.tmcf.org, starting from tmcf.org/scholarships/open-scholarships. Never pay anyone to apply - the application is free.

Related: UNCF STEM Scholars Program 2027 · APIA Scholars Scholarship 2027-28 · How to Complete the 2027-28 FAFSA Step by Step

Sources: TMCF official open-scholarships pages (tmcf.org; McDonald's Black and Positively Golden Scholarship, opened August 3, 2026, deadline April 23, 2027, 11:59 p.m. EST, up to $15,000, 60 scholars, GPA 2.7); The College Investor - TMCF McDonald's Black and Positively Golden Scholarship; TMCF Eastern Area Links Finish Line Scholarship page (deadline December 1, 2026). Always confirm the current deadline and requirements on the official TMCF page before applying. Warning: never pay to apply for a scholarship - legitimate scholarships are always free to apply for.