Dental Students: Robert Tanner Freeman Scholarship Program Accepting Applications

students in group shot

First-of-its-kind program supports Black freshmen interested in dentistry attending HBCUs and other colleges and universities

Through a unique partnership between UNCF, the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation and their corporate sponsors, the Robert Tanner Freeman Endowed Scholarship Program is now accepting scholarships for Black dental students accepted to an accredited dental program. The program will award two students with a need-based renewable scholarship who are enrolled full-time as a first-year student at a U.S. located college/university and in an accredited dental program. If funds are available, recipients may be eligible for up to three additional years of scholarship funds. The Robert Tanner Freeman Endowed Scholarship is the first dental scholarship established at UNCF.

The program is aptly named for Dr. Robert Tanner Freeman, a child of slaves born in 1846, who entered Harvard University in Boston in 1867 and graduated from the dental program in 1869 to become one of two Black dentists to graduate that year from the university—becoming the first Black dentists in the United States.

To apply for the scholarship, applicants should meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Be Black/African American
  • Be a first-year student enrolled full-time at a U.S. located college/university and in an accredited dental program
  • Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2022-23 academic year
  • Have a demonstrated, unmet financial need as verified by their college or university

The Robert Tanner Freeman Endowed Scholarship originated from a partnership between the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation and its corporate sponsors, and UNCF works to reach students who are in need. The program encourages more Black students interested in dentistry to apply for dental school by providing financial resources in the form of scholarships, currently $5,000 each for two students annually. The Dental Trade Alliance Foundation has been able to get additional stakeholders to invest in the scholarship as well and is looking to grow the program.

To learn more about the scholarship and apply, click here. Applications must be received by June 13, 2022.