The Black Student's Guide to Scholarships, Revised Edition: 600+ Private Money Sources for Black and Minority Students (Beckham's Guide to Scholarships for Black and Minority Students)

_<"The most thorough guide available to financial aid for black students._>" -Dr. Israel Tribble, Jr., President, Florida Education Fund

From the Introduction
I know, you want to get started looking for the money. You're ready to get paid, and you hope this introduction is short enough so you can get down to business. Okay, I'll try to make it as short as I can. Far too many black students don't go to college because they think they can't afford it. Nothing could be farther from the truth. There is plenty of money available for you! The issue is really one of information. Information is power, and if you have access to it, you have access to the tools to accomplish your goals. There are approximately 150 books available that list financial aid opportunities for various academic activities. If you don't know about some of these publications, you are even farther away from the information you need. Here then is the revised edition of a guide that began as a pamphlet listing 75 scholarships for black students. The more I read, and the more I researched, the more I discovered. Now the guide lists more than 650 sources. Anyone who can read can collect this information. I have a favorite answer to questions that I am asked on a regular basis from students, parents and others. "Where do I find the information?" they ask. Okay, here is the little-known secret: GO TO THE LIBRARY. Ask the librarian to point you in the direction of the information you seek, whether it is about financial aid, summer employment, foreign study, publishing a book or the phone number of a famous athlete. It's that simple--as simple as the response Bill Cosby gives when people ask him how he and Camille have stayed married so long. "Go home," is his answer. You go too--to the library--and ask. And while we're on the subject of asking, don't be afraid to ask the people who get paid to help you--the financial aid officers at colleges in America. Tell them you're serious about your education which is the key to your future and the future of black America, and you want information, answers to your questions. They are supposed to help you, and they should have answers to all of the questions listed at the end of the section on federal loans. Stand up for your rights and ask for the information. Information is power. And like power, it's usually not just given to you. On the subject of loans, I get confused. Black parents are sometimes so uptight about borrowing money for their children's future. It's as if it is not one of the most important investments they can make, the return on which is incalculable. Actually, you can calculate it. The Census Department has already found that a male with a college degree will earn about a million dollars more in his lifetime than a male without a degree. But those same parents have no qualms about purchasing a new car, new jewelry, new clothing--consumables that have little lifetime value. Loans are not the worst case scenario, particularly if you can find one of the new programs that combine elements like savings, life insurance and consolidation of several obligations. And of course you want to borrow as little as possible and be aware of the stiff penalties involved if you miss payments. Finally, though, how can you walk away from your future because you don't want to invest in it? Please note that scholarships offered by educational institutions can not be used at other schools. So don't write to Stanford expecting to use their scholarship at Morehouse. Many college officials have asked me to make this policy clear because they are bombarded by misguided applications from students who say they got the information from this guide. Send your request on a postcard and save money. You can purchase 50 for 20 cents each for a total of $10.00 rather than spend $16.00 for the same number of 32 cents stamps plus more money for envelopes and stationery. You will write: Dear Sir or Madam, Please send information and application forms for the [name of scholarship] to [your name and address]. Thank you for your cooperation. Sign it, put a reminder in your scholarship notebook (which includes all information about scholarships that you have collected), and mail it off. You're in the running! Look out Michael Johnson. If you have additions, questions or need to contact me, please write via postal service or email (beckham@erols.com). Your future is inextricably linked to your educational attainment. Therefore, the future of black America is linked to your progress because you are our future. To emphasize this last point, I want you to know that when I asked Bill Cosby for permission to use his photograph on the cover of this book, he responded within two weeks. He knows how important you are.