CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers Community Foundation on Friday announced the creation of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) scholarship program. 

What You Need To Know

  • The program will provide financial assistance to HBCU students to help support them academically

  • Here's how it works: There are five 10,000 scholarship awards that will be given to five high school seniors who are committed to an HBCU, or full-time college students already enrolled during the 2024-25 school year

  • Students can apply here — applications are due by March 18 of this year

The program will provide financial assistance to HBCU students to help support them academically. In addition, the Cavs' Donovan Mitchell is supporting the program through his his SPIDACARES Inc., which awards grants and scholarships to students who need help financially. 

Here's how it works: There are five 10,000 scholarship awards that will be given to five high school seniors who are committed to an HBCU or full-time college students already enrolled during the 2024-25 school year. A requirement is that each student must be a permanent resident in northeast Ohio, according to a press release. 

“The Cleveland Cavaliers have long been committed to making a meaningful and enduring impact in Northeast Ohio. This exciting new program provides us yet another opportunity to support our community, recognize the important role that HBCUs have within our social fabric, and help ease the burden for students working toward academic success,” said Kevin Clayton, senior vice president of Social Impact and Equity, in a press release. “We are delighted to kick off this inaugural scholarship program with the support of Donovan Mitchell, Nicole Mitchell and SPIDACARES and look forward to working together to leave a legacy of positive social change throughout our region.”

Students can apply here. Applications are due by March 18 of this year. 

“Helping youth fulfill their full potential through the power of education is at the heart of our mission at SPIDACARES,” said Mitchell in a press release. “I couldn’t be more excited to partner with Cavs Cares on this inaugural scholarship and to continue to empower these talented, Northeast Ohio youth to pursue their academic dreams.”

Here are other key scholarship dates for students to keep an eye on:

  • March 18: Application deadline
  • March 18 through April 1: Application review process, which includes virtual interviews with selected applicants
  • April 3 and April 4: Recipients will be notified via phone call, email and official letter
  • April 14: Recipients will be honored at both the Cavaliers Scholarship Banquet and during Cavs vs Charlotte Hornets Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse