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five African American Initiative Scholars

African American Initiative Scholarship

In Partnership with the San Francisco Foundation

Funded by the San Francisco Foundation and administered by the Cal Alumni Association, the African American Initiative (AAI) Scholarship provides African American students with financial support to help make their Cal education more accessible.

This scholarship is for UC Berkeley students who demonstrate leadership potential and a genuine willingness to contribute positively to the Black community at Cal. These students have been admitted to UC Berkeley as incoming first-year students.

The AAI Scholarship supports the campus-wide African American Initiative. The African American Thriving Initiative is led by the Division of Equity and Inclusion at UC Berkeley as a comprehensive effort to address the underrepresentation of African American students, faculty, and staff at Cal.

Program Requirements

African American Initiative Scholarship recipients are expected to join the AAI Scholarship Program through the African American Student Development Office.

Program Requirements
Program Requirements
  • Attend the Black Student Orientation, August 2025.
  • Attend the AAI Student Retreat, date TBD.
  • Attend the AAI Scholarship Recipient Reception, February 2026.
  • Maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.
  • Be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units.
  • Live on the Afro floor. Deadline to apply for housing is May 2 for incoming first-year students. We encourage you to apply to live on the African American Theme Program when you apply for housing since this will be a requirement once your scholarship is accepted.
  • Meet with the African American Initiative Academic Counselor at least once per semester.

Award Details

Award Details
Award Recipient

Incoming first-year students

Scholarship Amount

Flexible award amounts up to $8,000

Length

8–10 semesters (Students are not required to re-apply for each subsequent year, but must maintain program requirements.)

Disbursement

All awards will be disbursed through the UC Berkeley’s Financial Aid and Scholarships Office

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility Requirements
Student Status

Incoming UC Berkeley first years for Fall 2025

Requirements
  • Identify as Black/African American/African
  • California Dream Act and AB540 students are eligible to receive the award

Application Process

Application Process
Online Application Period

March 1 – March 30

Recipient Notification

Mid-April

Deadline to Accept

May 01

Apply for the African American American Initiative Scholarship

Applications are open March 1 - March 30 2025

APPLY HERE

AAI Scholar News

Contact Scholarships

Phone
510.900.8230

Email
scholarships@alumni.berkeley.edu

Meet the Alumni Scholarship team
Scholarship FAQs

Questions about any of our scholarship programs? Find out about eligibility requirements, application processes, disbursement details, and more.

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