Zelle® Community Development & Entrepreneurship Scholarship

Zelle® Community Development & Entrepreneurship Scholarship supports MBA students pursuing small business ownership through acquisition after graduation, promoting opportunities for financial advancement and business ownership. The Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA) programs at selected HBCUs are designed to help students acquire small businesses impacted by the “Silver Tsunami,” the mass retirement of small business owners in the baby boomer generation. The applicant must be pursuing an MBA full-time and a member of the academic institution’s Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (ETA) club/program attending one of the following universities: Claflin University, Howard University, Jackson State University, Morgan State University, and Virginia State University.

Candidate Requirements:
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent residence
• Minimum 3.0 GPA on 4.0 scale
• Exhibit leadership and be active in community service

Required Materials:
• Complete the 2-part online application by March 6, 2026, 11:59 pm
• 1 letter of recommendation
• Transcript(s) – unofficial accepted
• Resume – listing work experience, extracurricular activities, honors, community service and special skills
• Video Essay Response – not to exceed 4 minutes (question located within application)

Questions:
Please email scholarships@cbcfinc.org

Award
$10,000
Scopes
Scholarships
Deadline
03/06/2026
Supplemental Questions
  1. Select the HBCU attending to pursue MBA:
  2. Upload a legible copy of your current transcript in a PDF file. We must be able to read clearly the name of academic institution, student name and information, courses, grades and other information detailed on the transcript (unofficial accepted).
  3. Resume: Provide details regarding extracurricular activities, honors, employment, community service, and special skills (2-page limit).
  4. Letter of Recommendation: Upload letter of recommendation in PDF format submitted on formal, professional letterhead and include contact information. The letter must contain recommender's full name, professional title, contact email, and telephone number.
  5. Personal Statement (video response): Describe your interest your interest in entrepreneurship through acquisition and how pursuing an MBA supports your goal to acquiring and leading a small business.
  6. Name of your U.S. Representative based on your permanent address. To determine your Representative, enter your permanent address zip code here. If more than one representative is shown, please enter your full address.
  7. Name of your U.S. Representative based on your academic institution's address. To determine your Representative, enter your academic institution's address zip code here. If more than one representative is shown, please enter your academic institution's full address.
  8. Show 2 more