Seattle Black College Expo brings HBCUs and scholarships to Highline College

National College Resources Foundation will host the 9th Annual Seattle Black College Expo on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Highline College in Des Moines, Washington. The free event is designed to connect students and families with more than 40 colleges, trade schools and millions in scholarship opportunities.

Why it matters: - The Expo gives Washington students a same-day shot at college admissions help, scholarship leads and educational guidance in one place. - The event is aimed at high school students, transfer students, adult learners and families at a point in the year when many are making college and financing decisions. - NCRF is positioning the Expo as a pathway to both four-year degrees and career-focused training, including trade schools and short-term credential options.

What happened: - National College Resources Foundation will host the 9th Annual Seattle Black College Expo™ with Seattle Public Schools on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - The event will be held at Highline College, 2400 South 240th Street in Des Moines, Washington. - The Expo is free and open to students, families and community members. - Attendees can meet with admissions representatives from more than 40 colleges, universities and trade schools, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities. - Students are encouraged to bring multiple copies of transcripts and SAT or ACT scores for possible on-site acceptance and scholarship opportunities.

The details: - The Expo will include one-on-one help with college acceptance, scholarships and educational resources. - Seminar topics include “How to Think & Grow Rich,” “How to Start a Business,” “The 411 for the Student Athlete,” “REAL TALK: College vs. High School,” and “How to Find Money for College.” - NCRF Celebrity Ambassadors Yo-Yo and London Brown will lead sessions titled “How to Get A’s in English” and “From Dreams 2 Realities.” - The event will also feature an entertainment after-show with a scholarship presentation, cash prizes and audience engagement. - Dr. Theresa Price, founder and CEO of NCRF, said the Expo is designed to help students get accepted into college that day and access millions in scholarship dollars. - Washington’s Student Achievement Council says federal Pell Grants expanded beginning in 2026 to include qualifying short-term workforce programs that lead to recognized credentials. - The Seattle Black College Expo will include trade schools alongside colleges and universities. - The Expo is presented by NCRF and Seattle Public Schools. - Sponsors include America’s Navy, Foundation Clothing Co and Columbia College of Chicago. - More information is available here or by calling 877-427-4100.

Between the lines: - The event reflects a broader push to widen the definition of postsecondary success beyond traditional four-year degrees. - Including HBCUs, trade schools and workforce programs signals an effort to meet students at different points in their education and career planning. - NCRF is also using the Expo to link admissions access with financial aid, which can be a bigger barrier than interest alone for many students. - The focus on on-site acceptance suggests the organization wants to reduce friction in the college search process and move students from interest to action faster.

What's next: - Students and families can attend the Expo on Nov. 14 and pursue admissions, scholarship and training options in person. - NCRF continues to promote its broader mission through College Expos, enrichment programs, internships, STEM initiatives and student-athlete programming. - The organization also directs supporters to its YouTube channel and donation page for updates and support.

The bottom line: - The Seattle Black College Expo is built to compress college access, scholarship discovery and career exploration into one free day for Washington students.