Multicultural Scholarships
Multicultural Scholarship Program scholars are a group of persistent, motivated, and dynamic college students with exceptional potential for leadership in service of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Providence College and in their future careers. Since 1968, the program has successfully graduated well over 600 students. Alumni have entered careers in medicine, business, law, education, and religious life. Students who are selected are invited to participate in this tradition at Providence College. Recipients must live in the United States and demonstrated financial need is a key criteria for consideration.
The program is comprised of three premier scholarships:
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship
- Cunningham Scholarship
- Saint Juan Macías Scholarship
*Multicultural Scholarship recipients may also qualify for merit-based scholarships, but the scholarships will not stack and students receiving a merit-based scholarship will receive a partial multicultural scholarship. Housing and food is included for Macías recipients only, though all students are eligible for financial aid to cover additional costs.
Beyond the Scholarship, What Else do Multicultural Scholars Receive?
- Participation in the Transitions Program, a pre-orientation program for recipients of the scholarship and other first-generation college students.
- Academic Advising and Mentoring from the Assistant Dean/Director of Multicultural Student Success
- Semester cohort Meetings
- Designated programs, services, and activities as part of the Multicultural Scholarship Program Four-Year Development Plan
Selection Process
Multicultural Scholars are students who demonstrate a significant financial need and excellent leadership potential in service of diversity, equity and inclusion at Providence College and in their future careers. Recognizing leadership takes on many forms, the selection committee is interested in students who are involved in a variety of activities, service, and employment experience. The program is intended for first-year students who reside in the United States.
Competitive candidates will demonstrate significant financial need and one or more of the following:
- Significant past involvement in extracurricular activities, such as the clubs, community service, and paid or unpaid work
- Persistence and motivation to achieve goals
- Ability and desire to contribute to Providence College diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Exemplary personal qualities
Recipients of the scholarship are students who were admitted through the College’s existing admission process and criteria.
To be considered for the Multicultural Scholarship Program…
- Apply for admission by January 15 using the Common Application.
- Submit the Multicultural Scholarship Program application through the Admission Status Portal. Access is provided to the portal several days after you submit your Common Application. The deadline to apply for the Multicultural Scholarship Program is February 15.
- Complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile by the appropriate financial aid deadlines.
The selection committee will notify admitted students about their status in mid-March. Approximately 55 scholarships will be awarded to admitted students.
