The Michael Jackson scholarship provides financial assistance to communication arts and social science students attending a UNCF college/university during the upcoming academic year.

Candidates must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. The scholarship will provide an award depending on the financial need of the student as verified by the attending University or College.

In order to have a completed application package, candidates must include:

* Completed Application profile

* Essay (prompt and instructions located within the appropriate section of the application)

* Transcript (unofficial accepted)

While no one disputes he was the King of Pop, what you may not have known is that he was a big philanthropist — to the tune of $300 million -- to various charities. And a chunk of that went to scholarships.

In fact, in the Millennium-Issue of the "Guinness Book Of Records" Jackson was recognized as the Pop Star who supports the most charity organizations.

In 1986 Jackson gave $1.5 million to set up the "Michael Jackson UNCF Endowed Scholarship Fund”, aimed at students majoring in performance art and communications, with money given each year to students attending a member United Negro College Fund college or university. The scholarship has helped hundreds of students attend college.

He also contributed to the Cities and Schools Scholarship Fund and many other charities aimed at education and special needs children.

All application materials must be submitted by the deadline for full consideration. All previous recipients of this award must apply for reconsideration.

The scholarship award is usually $5,000, and the deadline is usually in November.