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Columbia HBCU Fellowship Program

Open to seniors and recent graduates of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) as defined by the U.S. Department of Education, the Columbia HBCU Fellowship Program prepares talented, high-performing HBCU graduates to lead, innovate, drive community impact, and advance their professional industries through program engagement, mentorship, and career development opportunities.

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Vision

The vision of the Columbia HBCU Fellowship Program is to:

  • Advance HBCU graduates’ academic credentials while deepening their understanding of their chosen industries and empowering Fellows to be change-makers;
  • Build on the intellectual excellence and supportive community at the School of Professional Studies by enrolling cohorts of Columbia HBCU Fellows from diverse backgrounds who are dedicated to academic merit and community engagement;
  • Invest in high-touch mentorship, networking opportunities, and professional development, in order to position Columbia HBCU Fellows as competitive candidates with the ability to make lasting contributions and impact in their careers as well as their local and global communities;
  • Provide access to the greater Columbia University network, and create a rich alumni base committed to furthering the legacy of HBCUs and expanding the reach and impact of the Columbia HBCU Fellowship Program; and
  • Encourage Columbia HBCU Fellowship Program alumni to uplift, support, and mentor current and future Fellows through continued engagement, community building, and professional relationships.

Fellowship Application 

Fall 2025 HBCU Fellowship Program Application

Qualifications

To be eligible, students must meet the following qualifications. 

  • Current HBCU senior or recent graduate (Bachelor’s degree conferral in 2023 or later)
  • Applying to a School of Professional Studies full-time Master of Science program for the Fall 2025 term

HBCU Fellowship Program Application

  • Short essay responses
  • Video responses
  • Letter of support from faculty or staff at your HBCU
  • Resume

Application Deadlines

  • Master of Science (M.S.) application due January 8th, 2025
  • HBCU Fellowship Program application due January 8th, 2025

 

Apply to the HBCU Fellowship Program      Apply to an M.S. Program       Sign Up for Updates    

 

Fellowship Benefits

  • Full tuition scholarship for three consecutive semesters (fall, spring, summer) in one of our eligible Master’s programs
  • Student housing accommodations for the 3 consecutive terms of enrollment
  • Semesterly stipend
  • Internship and mentorship opportunities with SPS corporate or sector partners
  • Additional developmental experiences and activities provided for cohort including community engagement and career services

Master’s Program Application Requirements

Please visit Master's Degree Admissions Page and carefully read the Application Requirements for the program you are interested in. Each program has a unique prompt for the statement of academic purpose and supplemental essay (where applicable), and other requirements, such as the need to provide standardized test scores, may also differ.

 

Eligible Degree Programs

2024 Fellows                          2023 fellows                        2022 Fellows                        2021 Fellows

2020 Fellows                         2019 Fellows                         2018 Fellows                        2017 Fellows

 

Contact Us

Questions Regarding Admission

All HBCU students or alumni who meet the qualifications are welcome to apply. For more information about admission email hbcu-fellowship [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu.

 

Educational Institutions and Organizations Interested in Getting Involved

Please contact hbcu-fellowship [[at]] sps [[dot]] columbia [[dot]] edu.

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