Common Black College Application: What to Know

When Robert Mason worked in recruitment at Clark Atlanta University in Georgia, he spent much of his time attending college fairs and meeting with interested students. But he noticed that not all historically Black colleges and universities, known as HBCUs, had the budget to send representatives to do the same.

"I was always being asked, 'Why is this particular college not being represented or why is this particular school not here?'" says Mason, a graduate of two HBCUs, Virginia State University and Clark Atlanta. "And I didn't have an answer."

That changed the day he pitched an idea about a college application service to several friends who worked in admissions at other HBCUs. This was the start of the Common Black College Application, which allows students to instantly apply to more than 50 HBCUs for a one-time application fee of $20 – although the number of participating colleges can vary each admissions cycle.

About 80 students filled out the application in its first year in 1998, Mason says, a number that has since grown to more than 300,000 worldwide. "Instead of students having to pay multiple application fees and submitting various applications, they can simply apply with one application," says Gavin Hamms, associate vice president of enrollment management at Grambling State University, an HBCU in Louisiana. "So you see the efficiency there. We don't want the application process to be a barrier for students who want to achieve higher education."

The Common Application and CBCA are similar in nature, but the main distinction is the pool of schools. CBCA is exclusive to HBCUs, while the Common App – an admissions application created by the College Board – is accepted by more than 1,000 colleges and universities, including some HBCUs. One other key difference is the price tag. CBCA has a one-time fee, while the cost of submitting the Common App varies per institution.

Here's what prospective students should know about filling out the Common Black College Application.

Completing the Application

Before filling out the CBCA, students must create an account. The application then asks general questions related to demographics, extracurricular activities and parent employment.

Applicants also need to provide their high school counselor's name and email address. The counselor is then required to upload an official transcript and test scores in the portal after the application is completed. 

 "As far as the app itself, it takes about 15 minutes to complete, if that," Mason says.

What Colleges Do Next

The application is made available to all participating schools once submitted. Students can select their top four enrollment preferences, which colleges can see on the back end. "When (students) start getting interest from all these various colleges across the country through the Common Black App, they are able to be aware that college is a reality and could be a reality for them," Hamms says.

Some schools still reach out to students even if they weren't part of their top four selection. No changes can be made to an application once submitted. 

Experts say it's important to note that some colleges may require additional information than what's on the CBCA. Not only can colleges offer admissions to students, but they can also provide scholarship opportunities. CBCA member institutions have awarded over $1 billion in scholarships annually, according to its website.