Ron Brown Scholars Program

A catalytic award for Black change-makers

The Ron Brown Scholars Program (RBSP) honors the legacy of Ronald H. Brown, the first African American U.S. Secretary of Commerce, by investing in college-bound Black scholars who combine academic distinction with a passion for public service. Each year, the program selects around 45 Scholars and 20 Captain awardees from a pool exceeding 5,000 applicants. Scholars receive up to $40,000 in scholarship funding, a cohort-based mentorship model, leadership summits, career placements, and seed capital for community ventures. Captains receive a one-time $1,000 award and access to networking resources, ensuring that the program’s reach extends well beyond the flagship scholarship.

RBSP’s mission transcends financial support; it curates a high-impact pipeline of leaders committed to racial equity, civic engagement, and economic mobility. Alumni occupy influential roles in policy, medicine, entrepreneurship, and the arts. For applicants, the program’s holistic review rewards authenticity, intellectual curiosity, and evidence of sustained community impact. Because RBSP intentionally seeks students who will “give back to their communities and the world,” you must demonstrate both past contributions and a compelling plan for your collegiate and career journey.

Program essentials

How the review process works

RBSP uses a multi-stage review. Early reviewers assess academic records, essays, and recommendations to identify semifinalists. Semifinalists submit additional materials, including updated transcripts, financial documents, and sometimes video responses. Finalists may interview with staff, board members, or alumni before the selection committee extends offers. Reviewers evaluate:

• Academic excellence – Rigorous coursework, high GPA, class rank, and, if submitted, strong standardized test scores.
• Leadership and service – Depth and duration of involvement in student government, activism, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, or faith-based initiatives.
• Character and resilience – Evidence of overcoming adversity, advocating for peers, or creating solutions in resource-constrained environments.
• Financial need – Clarity about how RBSP funding will bridge gaps after institutional aid.

The program encourages early submission by November 1 for priority review, but January applicants receive equal consideration. Submitting early allows more time to troubleshoot portal issues or gather supplemental documents.

Year-long preparation timeline

1. Spring–Summer 2024 – Reflect on your leadership narrative. Gather documentation of service hours, media coverage, awards, and metrics that showcase impact. Identify recommenders who can speak to your character and community commitment.
2. August 2024 – Open the online application, review essay prompts, and map deadlines. Begin drafting the core 500-word personal statement and supplemental essays about leadership and service.
3. September–October 2024 – Request official transcripts, test scores, and recommendation letters. Attend RBSP virtual info sessions or partner webinars hosted by College Greenlight, QuestBridge, or Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.
4. November 1, 2024 – Target the priority deadline. Submitting early signals enthusiasm and allows staff to alert you if documents are missing.
5. November–December 2024 – Refine essays, verifying that each story highlights a specific contribution. Update the activities list with quantifiable metrics (funds raised, people served, policies changed).
6. January 9, 2025 – Submit the final application before midnight EST. Confirm that recommenders have submitted letters and that your financial summary is accurate.
7. February 2025 – If selected as a semifinalist, respond promptly to requests for additional materials or interviews. Prepare a succinct pitch that connects your background to RBSP’s mission.
8. March 2025 – Monitor email for award notifications. Accepted Scholars will complete onboarding forms, financial paperwork, and travel logistics for the summer leadership weekend.

Crafting standout essays

RBSP prompts typically include a personal narrative about obstacles overcome, an essay about leadership or community service, and short answers on career goals and financial need. Strong essays exhibit:

• Specificity – Instead of general statements (“I love STEM”), describe the robotics curriculum you designed for elementary students or the climate justice policy brief you presented to city council.
• Reflection – Explain what you learned from adversity. How did you cultivate resilience? What strategies did you use to support peers facing similar challenges?
• Vision – Articulate how you will leverage a college education to drive change. Connect your major to structural inequities you want to address.
• Alignment – Reference RBSP programming, such as the Leaders Network, Innovation Summit, or Service Sabbaticals, to show you understand the ecosystem and have a plan to engage.

Use mentors, writing centers, or community organizations to workshop essays. Seek readers who will challenge you to dig deeper on values, not just grammar. Conclude each piece with forward-looking statements that signal momentum.

Recommendations that resonate

You must submit two recommendation letters, ideally from:

• A teacher in a core academic subject who can verify intellectual rigor, curiosity, and classroom leadership.
• A community leader, employer, or advisor who has witnessed your civic engagement, activism, or entrepreneurial initiative.

Provide recommenders with a detailed resume, your personal statement draft, and bullet points about projects they should mention. Encourage them to describe your influence at both micro and macro levels—for example, how you mentored younger debate team members, established a voter registration drive, or advocated for inclusive curriculum changes. Request letters at least six weeks before the deadline and schedule reminder check-ins.

Financial documentation and college matching

RBSP is need-based, so transparency about finances is crucial. Upload FAFSA Student Aid Reports as soon as they become available, along with CSS Profile summaries if your target colleges require them. Outline expected institutional aid, outside scholarships, and any remaining gaps. If your family’s income fluctuates due to gig work, unemployment, or medical bills, include explanatory statements and supporting documentation.

When listing college choices, include a mix of selective private institutions, public flagships, and liberal arts colleges known for generous aid packages. RBSP staff often help Scholars negotiate institutional grants once offers arrive, so maintain open communication about your admission outcomes and financial aid letters.

Signature benefits and how to maximize them

Beyond funding, RBSP offers:

• Summer leadership conference – A multi-day retreat featuring policy simulations, social entrepreneurship workshops, and meetings with corporate partners.
• Leaders Network – Regional hubs that facilitate service projects, peer mentoring, and professional development.
• Mentoring – Each Scholar is paired with a dedicated program manager and an alumni mentor who provide academic advising, internship referrals, and personal support.
• Innovation Grants – Seed funding (up to $1,500) for community projects, research, or social enterprises launched by Scholars.
• Career partnerships – Internships with companies such as Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, Google, and the NBA via RBSP’s corporate sponsors.

To capitalize on these benefits, set quarterly goals: update mentors on academic progress, apply to at least two internships or fellowships per year, and pitch a community project for Innovation Grant funding. Document outcomes to share with donors and for future grad school applications.

Tips from alumni and selection committee members

1. Be unapologetically authentic. RBSP wants to know who you are beyond accolades. Share cultural background, family traditions, and how they shape your leadership.
2. Demonstrate impact across systems. Highlight how you bridge school, community, faith, and civic spaces—e.g., leading a health equity hackathon that informs city policy.
3. Showcase intellectual curiosity. Discuss independent research, dual enrollment courses, or policy fellowships that demonstrate readiness for college rigor.
4. Map postsecondary plans. Provide a tentative four-year plan covering majors, minors, study abroad, research labs, and service-learning commitments.
5. Practice interview storytelling. If invited, rehearse concise responses about challenges, achievements, and why RBSP is the right fit.
6. Engage with RBSP’s digital community. Follow their social media, comment on Scholar spotlights, and attend webinars to demonstrate genuine interest.

After selection: staying in good standing

Scholars must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, remain enrolled full time, and participate in RBSP programming. The program requires periodic progress reports and encourages Scholars to mentor the next cohort through application workshops or virtual panels. Travel stipends support attendance at mandatory events; request accommodations early if you anticipate conflicts.

If you need to take a leave of absence or transfer schools, consult RBSP staff before making decisions. They can coordinate deferments or adjust disbursement schedules. Utilize mental health resources provided through the Scholar Wellness Fund if you encounter stress or burnout.

Building a legacy beyond college

RBSP alumni often become donors, board members, or program volunteers. During college, collect testimonials and metrics from your service projects to help future fundraising efforts. Consider launching a Ron Brown Scholars chapter on campus to recruit future applicants and host civic engagement programming. As you advance professionally, remain active in the Leaders Network to access executive coaching, graduate school support, and entrepreneurial capital.

Final reflections

The Ron Brown Scholars Program is more than a scholarship—it is a community committed to cultivating Black excellence and systemic change. Crafting a competitive application requires strategic planning, precise storytelling, and proof that you have already begun leading transformative work. By aligning your narrative with RBSP’s mission, demonstrating quantifiable impact, and preparing thoroughly for each stage of review, you can join a distinguished network of Scholars who are redefining leadership across sectors.