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Black Alumni Council

Established in 2020, the Black Alumni Council is comprised of 21 individuals who represent different colleges and schools at Auburn University. The purpose of this voluntary council is to facilitate the engagement of alumni and friends with the Auburn Alumni Association and Auburn University as a whole. The council’s responsibilities include advocating for the concerns of alumni and friends, assisting with the recruitment of new students, supporting the retention of current students, promoting greater participation from alumni, developing events and programs of interest to alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends, and working to preserve the legacy of alumni.

Meet Your Council Members

Black Alumni Council's Annual Fund for Excellence

With your help, we can make a difference through the Black Alumni Council’s Annual Fund for Excellence. Distributions from this annual gift fund will be used to support the strategic initiatives of the Black Alumni Council.

Give Now

Black Alumni Council Dr. Harold A. Franklin Memorial Endowed and Annual Scholarships

The Dr. Harold A. Franklin Endowed and Annual Scholarships support Auburn University’s goal of creating a welcoming environment for the student body, which is key to its educational mission. The scholarships provide support to students to help alleviate financial obstacles while attending Auburn University.

Give to the Endowed Scholarship

Give to the Annual Scholarship

2023-2024 Recipients

Alyxandria Harrigan, Birmingham, AL
Vanessa Njuguna, Birmingham, AL
Kaitlyn Reedy, Chelsea, AL
Kenneth Reese, Pleasant Grove, AL

2022-2023 Recipients

Jayliana Brown-Johnson, Tomball, TX
Miles Knight, Atlanta, GA
Clayton Onwere, Huntsville, AL
Shyam Patel, Auburn, AL

2021-2022 Recpients

Christian Ford, Adamsville, AL
Alyxandria Harrigan, Birmingham, AL
Lalah Hasbrouck, Atlanta, GA
Trinitee Hughley, Dacula, GA

Frequently Asked Questions – Black Alumni Council Scholarships

Is there a difference in the Black Alumni Council’s annual scholarship and the endowed scholarship?

There are no differences in the application and award of the two Black Alumni Council scholarships. They also have the same selection criteria and award amounts. The only difference is in how the council funds the scholarships–either every year (for the annual) or by the income from the investments (for the endowment).

Are the Black Alumni Council scholarships renewable?

Each scholarship is for one academic year. New applicants will be given priority. However, prior recipients may be considered during subsequent years if a new applicant cannot be identified.

How do you apply for the Black Alumni Council’s scholarships?

To receive consideration for the Black Alumni Council scholarships, current students must complete the scholarship application through the Auburn University Scholarship Opportunity Manager (AUSOM) by 4:45 p.m. CST on February 1 to receive consideration. All admission application files must be complete by December 1 for early action admission and scholarship consideration. Students are required to complete the AUSOM application each year.

Please visit auburn.edu/ausom for more information on the scholarship application and application deadlines.

Are gifts to the Black Alumni Council scholarships tax deductible?

Yes. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. The Auburn University Foundation receives gifts made to these scholarships. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that ensures all donations made to Auburn University benefit the institution as intended. The Auburn University Foundation provides no goods or services in exchange for your contribution.

What is the award amount for each scholarship?

Each scholarship will be awarded at $1,000 per year.

Who makes the final selection of the Black Alumni Council scholarships?

The General Scholarship Committee within the Office of University Scholarships selects recipients

Can a student receive more than one Black Alumni Council scholarship each year?

As a general practice, students do not receive more than one of the two council’s scholarships in a given academic year. However, students may receive a combination of alumni, merit, general, and department scholarships, provided the total amount awarded in institutional scholarships does not exceed Auburn’s annual estimated cost of attendance. External scholarships do not contribute to this total, and Auburn University does not limit external scholarships by number or amount. However, any amount received in scholarships may affect the amount of federal financial aid for which students are eligible. Individual scholarships awarded by other internal or external sources may have restrictions which require them to be awarded or disbursed at a lesser amount.

How do scholarship recipients receive their scholarship funds?

Scholarships are applied as credits on the student’s university billing account on a semester basis. In compliance with federal guidelines, financial aid and scholarships cannot physically disburse on the student’s billing account prior to a maximum of 10 days before each semester begins. If at any time credits on the bill exceed university charges (i.e. tuition, fees, on-campus housing), a refund can be issued for the difference. Refunds are issued as direct deposits to the checking or savings account of the student’s choice, which can be set up on Banking Direct Deposit Information in AU Access on My Finances.