James Patterson is a world-renowned author who has written countless fiction and nonfiction bestselling books. He was awarded the 2019 National Humanities Medal for his extraordinary imagination and championship of literacy in America. Patterson was presented the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community by the National Book Foundation and is the recipient of an Edgar Award and nine Emmy Awards.
Patterson is an active philanthropist and has donated more than one million books to students in under-resourced schools and youth programs across the country. He is passionate about higher education and has awarded over seven million dollars in scholarships to students in 24 different colleges. Patterson’s educational values align with the Carson Scholars Fund’s, and he has generously decided to fund our newest pilot program, the Patterson HBCU Scholarship for Carson Scholars.
The Patterson HBCU Scholarship is a pilot program of the Carson Scholars Fund (CSF). This program provides eligible Carson Scholars who attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) with a $5,000 award that can be renewed for up to three consecutive academic years, with a maximum value of $20,000. Scholarship money can be used towards tuition, room and board, and/or books.
A HBCU is a Historically Black College or University identified by the U.S. Department of Education. HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents.
– Be a Carson Scholar
– Be entering their freshman year of college
– Be a 2025 high school graduate
– Have an acceptance notification from a HBCU*
– Attend a HBCU* for the fall semester of their freshman year of college
– Be enrolled in a four-year bachelor’s degree track program
– Have a need for the scholarship (meaning tuition, room and board and/or books are NOT fully covered)
*Students attending HBCU community colleges or HBCUs that are not accredited are not eligible for this award.
Click HERE to view a complete list of Patterson HBCU Scholarship qualified schools.
In order for a former recipient of the Patterson HBCU award to renew their $5,000 scholarship for up to three consecutive academic years, they must:
– Fill out a required survey at the end of each academic year
– Submit their transcript to the CSF at the end of each academic year
– Maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher each academic year
– Remain a full-time student (12 credits per semester)
– Continue their studies at a HBCU
*Students attending HBCU community colleges or HBCUs that are not accredited are not eligible for this award.
Click HERE to view a complete list of Patterson HBCU Scholarship qualified schools.
On April 1, 2025, Carson Scholars who are seniors in high school will be emailed a Patterson HBCU Scholarship application. Students who meet the eligibility requirements may apply for the scholarship. On the application, students will be asked to:
All applications are due on May 9, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted. Applications will be scored by a diverse panel of judges using a points-based rubric established by the CSF. All applicants will be notified via email on May 15, 2025.
Please note: Students who apply for this scholarship are not guaranteed the award.
April 1, 2025 – Patterson HBCU Scholarship application is sent to eligible Carson Scholars
May 9, 2025 – Patterson HBCU Scholarship application deadline at 8:00 p.m. EST
May 15, 2025 – Patterson HBCU Scholarship all applicants are notified via email
Early June 2025 – A payout request form is sent to all Patterson HBCU Scholars
Information Coming Soon – Payout request deadline at 8:00 p.m. EST
Information Coming Soon – Patterson HBCU Scholarship checks are mailed to HBCUs. A copy of the check is mailed to Patterson HBCU Scholars.
In early June 2025, a fall payout request form will be sent to all Patterson HBCU Scholars. This form will contain a section for the scholar to request their Carson Scholarship payout and/or their Patterson HBCU Scholarship payout for the fall semester of their freshman year. For Carson Scholarship payout guidelines, click here.
All payout request forms must be submitted by the deadline provided. Once payout request forms have been submitted and reviewed, a scholarship check will be sent directly to the HBCU indicated on the scholar’s payout request form. A copy of the check will be mailed to the scholar.
Every May following the original payout, Patterson HBCU Scholars will be emailed a required survey prompting them to answer a few questions, write a statement of impact and upload their transcript reflecting that academic year.
Once the CSF receives the completed survey, a payout request form will be emailed to the scholar in June allowing them to request an additional $5,000 for the fall semester of the next academic year. This process will be repeated for a total of three years after the initial scholarship is awarded. Scholars who do not maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher or remain a full-time student (12 credits per semester) will forfeit their scholarship funds and will not be permitted to request further payouts.
