5 Strong Scholarship (Houston) Application Form

Scholarship Information

The 5 Strong Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing college retention and graduation rates by partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The foundation specifically targets promising, resilient student leaders—often focusing on students in the "academic middle" who have strong GPAs but may have average standardized test scores.

The program provides unique, comprehensive support broken down into three main pillars:

*Full-Tuition Funding: Through direct partnerships with a growing network of HBCUs, selected scholars receive full-tuition scholarships to cover their undergraduate studies.

*The Cohort Model: Accepted students don't go to college alone; they are placed into tight-knit permanent teams of 5 scholars who attend the same university together, providing immediate peer support.

*Intentional Prep & Coaching: Before setting foot on campus, scholars must complete intensive, mandatory "College Ready Prep Sessions." Once at school, they receive ongoing, structured mentorship from dedicated 5 Strong coaches from their first day of classes all the way through graduation.

Requirements

To be eligible for the 5 Strong Scholarship, all applications must:

*Reside in the Houston metropolitan area

*Be a current-year graduating high school senior

*Demonstrate the potential to be a leader in the classroom and on campus

*Have earned a GPA of at least 3.0 (Some HBCU Partners have higher GPA Requirements)

*Have a minimum ACT score of 19 or a combined SAT score of 990 for both Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math sections (Some HBCU Partners have higher test score requirements, and some do not require a test score)

*Commit to 5 Strong and the selected HBCU that you will be attending

*Attend all MANDATORY bimonthly College Ready Prep Sessions in person in Houston

*Attend your college visit

*Langston University - Langston, OK, applicants must have at least a 3.0/19 ACT/990 SAT for full tuition

*Benedict College - Columbia, SC, applicants must have a 3.4 GPA for full tuition(no test score required)

*Lincoln University - Lincoln, PA, applicant must have a 3.3 GPA. (no test score required)

*Bennett College - Greensboro, NC, applicant must have a 3.0. (no test score required)

*Texas Southern University - Houston, TX, applicants must have a 3.5 GPA for full tuition, 1240 SAT and be in the Top 10% of your class.

To receive the Texas Promise Scholarship which covers tuition, Student must have 3.0 GPA and family household income must be below $125,000 .

Tiger Genesis Scholarship. 3.0 GPA 1050 SAT top 20% of your class $7,000 award

*Stillman College - Tuscaloosa, AL, applicants must have a 3.0 GPA for full tuition.(no test score required)

*Wilberforce University - Wilberforce, OH, applicants must have - 3.25 ($10,000), 3.5 ($12,000)

*Huston-Tillotson University - Austin, TX - applicants must have 3.0 GPA and 18 ACT. We have the African American Male Initiative (Education Majors) Full Ride (tuition, room and board) Scholarships! Program of study in Education (Teaching career fields include the following majors: English, History, Kinesiology, Mathematics, Music and Science with an Education minor)

*Huston-Tillotson University - Austin, TX - applicants must have 3.5 GPA and 22 ACT/1020 SAT. We have the W.E.B. DuBois Honors Program Full Tuition Scholarships! There are amazing benefits that come with being a W.E.B. DuBois Scholar @ HTU.

*Voorhees University, - Denmark, SC, applicants must have at least a 2.8 GPA (but the academic potential of a 3.0+ student). (no test score required)

*All selected applicants must be available to attend all mandatory bimonthly College Ready Prep Sessions in person in Houston.

*All selected applicants must be willing to commit to 5 Strong and to their selected HBCU. Commitment means: attending all college ready prep sessions, the college visit and being responsive to all communication, and to participate in all required 5 Strong campus activities. If you sign the 5 Strong commitment agreement and decide to no longer commit, you will be responsible for repaying the costs of participation (prep sessions and college visit).

* You must be interested in attending one of our HBCU Partner Schools (Benedict College, Bennett College, Hutson-Tillotson University, Langston University, Lincoln University, Texas Southern University, Stillman College, Voorhees University, and Wilberforce University).

Deadline

To be considered for this scholarship, you must submit this application on or before Thursday, December 31st, 2026.