US Community College Scholarships for African Students
Community colleges are the most affordable on-ramp to a US degree. Many of the best awards come from cities, counties, states and college foundations — and a growing number are open to F-1 international students from African countries. Start with an associate degree, then transfer into a top four-year university.
Featured programs
Twelve community college scholarship programs across major US cities — most tied to a municipality, county or state foundation.
12 of 12 programs
- City University of New York
CUNY ASAP — Accelerated Study in Associate Programs
A municipal tuition guarantee that helps low-income New Yorkers earn an associate degree within three years across CUNY's community colleges.
Where: New York City, NYOpen to: NYC residents (incl. eligible immigrants)Funding: Tuition gap + textbooks + MetroCardApply: Each term — check site - MDC Foundation
Miami Dade College — American Dream Scholarship
One of the largest county-funded tuition guarantees in the US — covers an associate degree at Miami Dade College.
Where: Miami, FLOpen to: Miami-Dade County high school grads (3.0+ GPA)Funding: Tuition & fees for 60 creditsApply: Each term — check site - SMC Foundation
Santa Monica College — International Student Scholarships
Top transfer college to UCLA and UC Berkeley, with dedicated scholarships for international students through the SMC Foundation.
Where: Santa Monica, CAOpen to: Enrolled F-1 international studentsFunding: Partial — varies by awardApply: Each term — check site - Foothill-De Anza Foundation
Foothill College — International Student Scholarships
Silicon Valley community college with merit and need-based aid for international students and a strong UC transfer pipeline.
Where: Los Altos Hills, CAOpen to: F-1 international studentsFunding: Partial tuitionApply: Each term — check site - De Anza Foundation
De Anza College — International Scholarships
Top-ranked California community college with merit awards for international students transferring into the UC system.
Where: Cupertino, CAOpen to: F-1 international studentsFunding: $500–$3,000 per yearApply: Each term — check site - HCC Foundation
Houston Community College — International Student Scholarships
Renewable awards from HCC and the city of Houston's foundation partners, reducing tuition for international students at one of the largest community college systems in the US.
Where: Houston, TXOpen to: F-1 international studentsFunding: Partial tuitionApply: Each term — check site - MC Foundation (Montgomery County, MD)
Montgomery College — International Scholarships
County-supported community college in the DC metro area distributing $1M+ each year via the MC Foundation, including awards open to F-1 students.
Where: Rockville, MDOpen to: Enrolled MC students incl. internationalFunding: Partial — many named awardsApply: Each term — check site - Northern Virginia Community College
NOVA Foundation Scholarships
DC-metro community college with guaranteed admission to George Mason and a deep foundation scholarship portfolio.
Where: Annandale, VAOpen to: Enrolled NOVA students (incl. intl. & DACA)Funding: Partial — 400+ named awardsApply: Each term — check site - Seattle Colleges (City of Seattle)
Seattle Colleges — International Programs Scholarships
Central, North and South Seattle College — one of the largest US community college destinations for African transfer students.
Where: Seattle, WAOpen to: F-1 international studentsFunding: $500 to full tuitionApply: Each term — check site - Green River College
Green River College — International Tuition Scholarship
Strong University Transfer Pathways into 100+ US universities with renewable tuition awards.
Where: Auburn, WAOpen to: F-1 international studentsFunding: Partial tuitionApply: Each term — check site - Valencia Foundation
Valencia College — International Student Scholarships
Top-ranked Florida community college with guaranteed transfer (DirectConnect) into the University of Central Florida.
Where: Orlando, FLOpen to: Enrolled Valencia students incl. intl.Funding: PartialApply: Each term — check site - BHCC Foundation
Bunker Hill Community College — International Scholarships
Boston's most diverse community college, partnering with the City of Boston Tuition-Free Plan and feeding into UMass.
Where: Boston, MAOpen to: Enrolled BHCC students (incl. intl./DACA)Funding: PartialApply: Each term — check site
Why community college?
- Lower tuition. Often 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of a four-year US university — and partly offset by city/county scholarships.
- Guaranteed transfer. Programs like DirectConnect (Valencia → UCF), NOVA → GMU, and California's UC Transfer Admission Guarantee make the move into a four-year degree predictable.
- F-1 visa eligible. Most community colleges issue an I-20 and accept F-1 students directly from African countries.
- Local funding wins. Cities like New York, Miami, Boston and Houston put real money behind their two-year colleges — check the local foundation, not just the school.
Plan the next step
After your associate degree, transfer into a four-year US university — start planning the second half now.