Robert Mason, founder of the Common Black College Application, has passed away. He was 66 years old.
A native of Roanoke, Virginia, Mason was a graduate of two historically Black universities. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Virginia State University in 1984 and his master’s degree in public administration from Clark Atlanta University in 1990.
In 1998, Mason founded the Common Black College Application, an online platform that enables students to apply to 67 historically Black colleges and universities for only $20. According to the application’s website, some 97 percent of students who use the platform are accepted to at least one CBCA member institution, and about one-third receive scholarships to support their college education. In 2022, Mason published his co-authored biography, Get Educated! The Man Behind the Common Black College Application (EDU, Inc. Publishing).
“Robert’s vision extended far beyond the Common Black College Application. He believed that every Black student deserved the opportunity to pursue higher education without financial barriers,” reads a statement shared on his Facebook page. “Through the Common Scholarship Application, he worked tirelessly to connect students with scholarship opportunities that would help them achieve their educational goals and realize their full potential. His passion for educational equity became the foundation of our mission and left a lasting impact on our team and the communities we serve.
“Although we are deeply saddened by his passing, Robert prepared us to carry this mission forward. We remain committed to honoring his legacy by continuing the work he so passionately began, guided by the values, vision, and purpose he instilled in all of us.”
