Ron Brown Scholarship for Top International Students

The Ron Brown Scholarship celebrates Ronald H. Brown’s legacy by providing a selective scholarship program for community-minded and intellectually competent African Americans.

Ron Brown Scholarship Program competitively awards Ron Brown Scholars four-year $40,000 scholarships ($10,000 each year) to the most talented and economically disadvantaged high school seniors who demonstrate a strong interest in public service, community engagement, business entrepreneurship, and global citizenship – the four pillars of the late Ronald H. Brown’s mission to uplift people of all races, cultures, and ethnicities, particularly our disadvantaged youth.

The goal of the Ron Brown Scholarship Program is to find students who will significantly advance society. Academic excellence, remarkable leadership potential, and a commitment to community service are requirements for admission.

Why Ron Brown Scholarship Program?

It is more than just a scholarship
The Ron Brown Scholars are provided with ongoing assistance during their undergraduate years, as well as mentoring and public service opportunities. You don’t just get assistance with paying for college; you also get assistance with excelling in your academic years and beyond.

You are only required to write one essay
There are two writing assignments, one of which asks you to submit an essay you’ve already prepared for your college application. This reduces application work by half.

It highlights your academic achievements
This is your scholarship if you are a strong student. Teacher references, SAT or ACT scores, and grades are all required—and these are all areas where you may clearly demonstrate your academic accomplishment track record.

Level/Field of Study

Ron Brown scholarship is not restricted to any particular subject or career goal but may be used to pursue any academic discipline. The renewable scholarship can be used to attend any accredited four-year college or university in the United States.

Host Nationality

The Ron Brown Scholar Fund is a US-based 501c3 public organization that oversees the Ron Brown Scholar Program (RBSP). RBSP is a collegiate scholarship and leadership program for African American students founded in 1996 by Anthony M. Pilaro to honour the late Secretary of Commerce.

Eligibility for the Ron Brown Scholarship

Applicants must be Black/African American, U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, and current high school seniors at the time of their application in order to be considered. Students still enrolled in college are not eligible to apply. You should be academically accomplished, show leadership potential, engage in volunteer work in the community, and have a financial need that can be proven.

Two letters of recommendation are required. The guidance counsellor, instructor, or principal from your high school should write at least one of these. Anyone who is familiar with you and can vouch for your moral character, capacity for leadership, dedication to volunteerism, or academic success may send the second letter. This could be a boss, coach, or mentor, for example. It cannot be your guardian, parent, or mother.

Requirements to Apply for Ron Brown Scholarship Program

• Application Form
• Application Form Can Be Mail-Submitted
• Public Service
• Analysis of Financial Needs
• References or Recommendations
• Transcript

How to Apply for the Ron Brown Scholarship Program

Click on the link below to commence your application for the scholarship.

Deadline for Ron Brown Scholarship

The Ron Brown Scholar Program has a single application deadline (students must be current high school seniors at the time of submission): The deadline for applying to the Ron Brown Scholar Program is January 9 (postmarked). All application materials must be mailed in a single package. Transcripts and recommendation letters should not be supplied separately. When the application is mailed, SAT/ACT scores must be provided. Applications that are incomplete, emailed, or faxed will not be accepted. The Ron Brown Scholar Program office will notify only semifinalists and finalists in March. The scholarship winners will be notified by April 1st, and their names will be posted on the Ron Brown Scholarship Program website in May.

Selection Process

Ron Brown Scholarship are chosen in the spring before starting college. Staff from the Ron Brown Scholarship Program screen applications between November and February. Finalists are asked to attend a weekend screening process in Washington, DC, in March, at the expense of the Ron Brown Scholarship Fund. Finalists are interviewed by Ron Brown National Selection Committee members and are expected to participate in a variety of weekend activities. Scholarship recipients are chosen based on their application papers, interviews, and participation in the Selection Weekend activities.

NB: Given the enormous volume of applications, the Ron Brown Scholarship Program can only contact candidates who advance to the semifinalist and finalist rounds of the competition.

Scholarship Award

Each year, 20 or more students are named Ron Brown Scholars and receive $10,000 per year for four years, for a total of $40,000. The need and merit-based scholarships can be used to attend any four-year accredited college or institution in the United States. Ron Brown scholarships are not restricted to any particular subject or career goal and may be used to pursue any academic discipline. Since 1996, over 400 students have been named Ron Brown Scholars.

Ron Brown scholarships can be used to complement financial help provided by a student’s intended college or university. Tuition, fees, books, accommodation and board, computers, health insurance, study abroad, and other college-related expenditures may be covered by the scholarship. Ron Brown scholarships cannot be used to replace college or university funding, and they cannot pay any portion of the parental commitment.

Tips to Achieve Success in the Ron Brown Scholar Program

Take the SAT or ACT again if you have to
Low ACT or SAT scores are nearly always an automatic disqualifier in a competitive environment. Even if your scores are satisfactory, retaking the examinations will allow you to stand out in a competition that is virtually entirely centred on academics.

Highlight public service
The application requests that you prioritize your school activities. You should prioritize community service activities since this scholarship celebrates the memory of a public leader who was genuinely dedicated to helping others. Among these activities, include those in which you held a formal position at the top—seasoned judges will find this more remarkable.

Work on both of your essays
Because there is no prompt for the second essay, it is tempting to submit an essay you’ve already prepared without reviewing it. However, even if you’ve already received modifications, you should show the essay to numerous people and consider their criticism in order to produce your finest work.

Describe how this scholarship will benefit you
This scholarship program is designed exclusively for kids from low-income families. In your essay, emphasize how receiving the scholarship will have a significant impact on your future by allowing you to attend college or university. Outlining a particular goal for your future, which includes acquiring a postsecondary degree, will also provide you with an advantage in the selection process.

About Ron Brown

Ron Brown was the first African American Secretary of Commerce. Following his sad death, the Ron Brown scholarship fund was established in 1996 to celebrate his memory, milestone, and lifelong commitment to public service.

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