There are over 65 institutions with a principal mission of educating black Americans. Applying to these colleges can be taxing, with lots of forms, deadlines, and decisions. Even more, if you have to visit each college and follow their guideline.
Well, if you’re thinking about attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), there’s a handy tool called the Common Black College Application (CBCA) that can make things a whole lot easier.
With the CBCA, you can apply to many HBCUs at once using just one application. That saves you time, money, and maybe even a headache or two. Hence, this article reviews the Common Black College Application, how it works, and a step-by-step guide on how to apply and get an acceptance letter from more than one college.
Table of contents
What is Common Black College Application?
The Common Black College App is much easier and allows students to apply to over 65 HBCUs at an affordable rate.
In 1998, Robert Mason graduated from two HBCU universities – Virginia State University and Clark Atlanta University. To make the journey of applying to these colleges easier, he founded the Common App.
Basically, the Common App allows you to apply to over 65 colleges with one online application. The application claims to have helped hundreds of thousands of students break the cycle of poverty.
Its statistics posit over 250, 000 students have completed applications through this means, with at least 97% receiving at least one acceptance letter from HBCU institutions. At least 33% of applicants receive scholarships ranging from tens of thousands to millions of dollars.
In a recent book, “Get Educated,” Robers tells the story of his childhood and being raised by a single mother. The book also reveals how he led his fraternity chapter to win the National Step Championship while at Virginia State University.
Still in doubt? View successful applicants on its webpage who have received acceptance letters from CBCA member institutions.
How Does the Black Common Application Work?
The black Common College Application makes it possible to submit applications to over 65 higher institutions with just one click.
Once you visit the official webpage, it prompts you to either start your application, log in to your application or create an account.
While many single application systems exist, the Common Black College Application is unique. It does not mandate you to upload test scores, transcripts, or personal essays. All applicants must do is register on the site, fill out the information columns, and pay the fee for application submission.
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Is the Common Black College App Legit?
Yes, the Common Black College App is legit. It was founded in 1998 by Robert Mason and has helped over 300,000 students complete their applications to CBCA member institutions.
Many students now opt for the CBCA to reduce the high application fees. Over 97% of them get at least one acceptance letter.
Applicants who complete applications on Black Common Application have it sent across 65 institutions. If you do that yourself, you will understand how tedious it can be. So, CBCA is legit and not a scam yet.
The Common Black College Application is an affordable college application that allows students to apply to multiple HBCUs across the country—all at once.
Chad Johnson, a freshman at Fort Valley State University in Georgia, was unsure which college he wanted to attend. He applied through the CBCA and narrated how he was offered more than $1.3 million in scholarships from the colleges he applied to use the app.
Who is Eligible to Use the Common Black College Application?
Would you love to apply to different colleges with just one application? Are you a transfer student applying to different colleges?
Let’s say you want to cut down on the cost of applying to over 65 colleges separately. Then, you are eligible for the Common Black College Application.
Now that you are eligible, let’s run through what you need to begin your applications.
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What are the Requirements for the Common Black College Application?
To Apply, you must get your personal information, including the counsellor’s name and email address.
Unlike the Common App, it does not require you to submit your official transcript. However, once you finish your application, your counsellor will prompt you to log in and upload your transcript.
You must enter your CEEB code. Your counsellor cannot upload your transcript and test scores without them. Before you click the start application button on the webpage, below is a list of things you need to keep handy.
- Personal information (name, address, social security number etc.)
- Approximate cumulative high school GPA
- Extracurricular activities you’ve participated in (sports, clubs, etc.)
- Your intended major
- Your list of top 4 HBCUs
- School CEEB Code
- Counsellor’s name and email address
- $20 Application Fee
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Common Black College Application: Step-by-Step Guide to Complete Your Application
On the official webpage, click on Start your application. If you are a newbie, it will prompt you to create an account. If not, log in and follow the following steps:
Step 1: Register an Account
To successfully register an account, type in the following information in the order below.
- First name
- Surname
- Phone number
- Password
- Confirm Password
- Create Account
- Or log in with your username and password if you already have an account
Step 2: Start the Application
Once your account creation is successful, you will be logged in to your dashboard. Click on Get Started to begin your application.
To complete your application successfully, fill out the information as seen on the page.
- Enrollment type (Freshman, Non-Degree, Transfer etc. )
- High school graduation year
- Preferred course
- Enrollment time (Spring, Fall, Summer)
- Enrollment year
- Click on Get Started
Step 3: Fill Out the About You Section
The About you section is in three sections. The personal information section will update information from step 1.
However, you must fill out the following to complete this section. Remember to use the save for later button if you cannot complete the application.
- Home Phone
- Gender
- Marital Status
- Birth Date
- What is your religious affiliation
- Are you a veteran?
- Are you a first-generation college student?
- Country
- Home Address
- City
- State/Province/Region
- Zip/Postal Code
- Citizenship Status
- Social Security Number
- What is your racial/ethnic background?
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Step 4: Fill Out Information on your High School
The next step allows you to give insight into your high school. For rows that have a drop-down, use the drop-down to choose your answers. Below is all you need to fill out in step 4.
- Graduation Year
- Grade Point Average (GPA)
- School Counselor First Name
- School Counselor Last Name
- School Counselor Email
- Extracurricular Activities
- Have you taken the SAT?
- Have you taken the ACT
Step 5: Choose your Top 4 HBCUs
The enrollment section allows you to choose your preferred top CBCA member institutions. You will also state if you need financial aid foto complete your application. See the list of information you need to fill out.
- College Preference 1
- College Preference 2
- College Preference 3
- College Preference 4
- Enrollment Type
- Enrollment Status
- Enrollment Semester
- Enrollment Year
- Desired Major
- Will you be applying for Financial Aid?
- Do you plan to live on campus?
- Are you interested in a student job on campus?
Step 6: Information on Your Family
Here, you will give details on your parents or guardian. The details required are the same for all three. If one parent is raising you due to divorce or separation, fill the column with a red asterisk. The other two are optional. Below is a comprehensive list
- Relationship Type
- First Name
- Last Name
- Home Phone
- Mobile Phone
- Work Phone
- Email Address
- Country
- Address
- City
- State/Province/Region
- Zip/Postal Code
- Employer
- Job Title
Step 7: Affirm Your Information
The certification page allows you to certify that every information you submit is accurate. You must tick the ‘I agree ‘ box for each of the four affirmations. Failure to do so may mean you are not ready to submit your applications.
Meanwhile, you will find these questions just above the certifications. You must answer the questions honestly by choosing either yes or no.
- Have you ever been suspended from school?
- Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
- Are you interested in receiving additional college information from our member institutions beyond status updates on your application?
Step 8: Review and Submit
Click the review and submit button to evaluate the information you have given. This is your last chance to correct any wrong information about yourself, your school, your parent, or your certifications.
Step 9: Pay your Common Black College Application Fee
To access this page, you must complete and submit your application successfully. Afterwards, proceed to pay a $20 application fee. Your application will be sent out to 65 colleges in affiliation with CBCA.
What are the CBCA Member Institutions?
There are over 65 HBCUs, about 58 of which are CBCA member institutions. See the comprehensive list below.
- Alabama A&M University
- Alabama State University
- Alcorn State University
- Allen University
- Bennett College
- Benedict College
- Bethune-Cookman University
- Bowie State University
- Central State University
- Charles Drew Uni. Med. & Sci.
- Cheney University
- Clark Atlanta University
- Coppin State University
- Dillard University
- Edward Waters University
- Florida Memorial University
- Fort Valley State University
- Grambling State University
- Harris Stowe State University
- Huston-Tillotson University
- Jackson State University
- Jarvis Christian College
- Johnson C. Smith University
- Kentucky State University
- Lane College
- Mississippi Valley State Univ.
- Morris College
- Morgan State university
- Norfolk state university
- Paul Queen College
- Paine College Augusta
- Rust College
- St. Augustine University
- Southern University and A&M College
- Stillman College
- Talladega College
- SC State University
- University of Arkansas
- Tougaloo College
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- University of the Virgin Islands
- Virginia University of Lynchburg
- Virginia State University
- Voorhees College
- West Virginia State University
- Wiley College
- Wilberforce University
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When Will Common Black College App Open?
There is no given date for CBCA. However, you should fill out the app before the deadline for your top four colleges. You can begin by the fall of the next admission cycle.
You must confirm your school choice accepts the black common application before filling it out. And ensure you fill it out on the school’s official website before the deadlines.
In addition, submit all credentials and documents your choice of school requires before its deadline.
In your best interest, contact schools directly and inform them to access your Common Black College App file if they choose not to download it.
Frequently Asked Questions
The black common application is $20
Yes, the Common Black Application is Legit.
Freshman, transfer students can use Common Black College App.
Conclusions
Gathering the requirements for each college you wish to attend is exhaustive. Robert Mason, upon graduation, seeks a means to simplify this process for his successors. In this quest, the Common Black College Application was founded.
Follow this step-by-step guide to apply to over 65 CBCA member institutions and increase your chances of getting an acceptance letter and scholarships.
References
- Bestcolleges.com – What is the Common Black College Application?
- USnews.com – Common Black College Application: What to Know
- Getschooled.com – What to Know about Common Black College Application
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