There are plenty of scholarships for students who perform community service activities. Community service often shows you are a leader and able to give your time to a worthwhile cause.
Not to mention, the service project might help you meet people who could write you glowing letters of recommendation. Getting a scholarship for community service helps pay for your higher education.
At the same time, eligibility requirements may vary for each award. You typically show academic achievements. This includes GPA and test scores. You also show unmet financial need which looks at the FAFSA you filed with prospective colleges. These are qualities that many scholarship providers look for.
There are various sources of scholarships. Many are from nonprofits. Local businesses may give awards. The Archway (MO) Chapter offers a $1,000 award. It is for African American high school seniors in the St. Louis area. Applicants have to show a record of service tied to the Links’ missions. Other criteria are need and minimum GPA.
Four year colleges are another source of scholarship awards. New first year college students with a record of service may qualify for a scholarship from DePaul University. The school offers this financial aid to high school graduates who take part in at least 30 hours of community work.
There are also easy scholarships that focus on projects that help others. If you are a United States citizen, keep an eye on DoSomething.org. They run project based college scholarships for young people that have a passion for service. To enter you sign up for a campaign. Then complete it in your local community. You also upload a photo for a chance to win.
10 Scholarship Programs That Require Community Service in 2021
To make your scholarship search easier, check out this list of 10 scholarships that require community service. If you meet the eligibility rules, apply today!
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
MECU Baltimore Credit Union Community Service and Merit
Aimee Kathryn Fitzpatrick Community Service Scholarship Fund
CollegeXpress Community Service Scholarship
4-H Community Service Scholarship
Glidden Community Service Scholarship
Honor Society Community Service Scholarship
Rosen Hagood Community Service Scholarship
Richard and Jeanne Ahlquist Community Service Scholarship
Vicky Howard Community Service Award
WHAT ARE Volunteer SCHOLARSHIPS?
A volunteer scholarship reward you for your voluntary time to help out those in need. These are scholarships for volunteering during your spare time, outside of your college classes.
For example, the Red Cross is a perfect one to check out. It offers the Leaders Saves Lives Scholarship. Sign up to host a blood drive while school is out of session. You might earn leadership skills, volunteer hours, a gift card and be entered to win a scholarship based on the number of pints you gather.
HOW MANY COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS DO YOU NEED FOR A SCHOLARSHIP?
The number of hours of community service needed for a scholarship varies. In some cases there is a minimum to meet. But in others, it is more about the service project vs. hours.
One that does have a minimum of community service hours is the Jesse Brown Scholarship. It is open to volunteers with at least 100 hours of service. The Dept. of Veterans Affairs or DAV credits these hours.
The Bonner Program also provides a scholarship in exchange for weekly and meaningful service with a local community organization. The awards are available at partner schools. Depauw University is one. Bonner Scholars have to commit to this over the four years as an undergraduate student.
The Alliant Energy Innovation Scholarship also requires service hours. It looks for those who took on a leadership role in service or volunteer activities. They also assess a 300 word essay, your GPA and standardized test scores. If you check these boxes and are a Midwest full time STEM major, see if you are eligible.
WHAT IS COMMUNITY SERVICE?
Community service is any unpaid voluntary act(s) done to help others. In addition to giving back, community service may help you gain skills and experience. It could enhance the value of a college education. Both are useful on a college application and your resume. Here are 10 examples of community service projects for college and high school students:
Organizing a local blood drive at a medical center
Registering voters in your neighborhood
Holding a bake sale and donating the profits
Being a reading coach
Run in a charity race
Clean local parks
Donate your stuffed animals to a children’s hospital
Gather clothing for the homeless
Work in a soup kitchen during holiday season
Dropping off meals to the elderly
What is the Difference between Community Service and Volunteer Work?
For scholarships, many providers look at leadership, community service or volunteer activities. But community service and volunteer work are not always the same thing.
People often take part in community service because they enjoy giving or want to see change. It is usually done to improve the lives of people in their community. The Davis Putter Scholarship is for students who are active in efforts to further social change. These causes could relate to ending bullying or racism.
Community service is not always voluntary though. It is usually assigned by the school or court. In some cases, students may have to do public service to graduate high school. Some adults are also ordered by the court to perform a certain number of community service hours.
Depending on who you ask, volunteer service is a part of community service. It is an act of giving your time to support a cause. Some people volunteer on a regular basis, while others do it from time to time.
Still, volunteering is an important activity for millions of Americans. In 2018, one in three adults (30.3%) volunteered through a nonprofit organization cites AmeriCorps. Of these, 36% of volunteers raise funds for nonprofits.
LIST OF Community Service SCHOLARSHIPS
Do you often volunteer at your school, religious organization or in your community? If so, there are many sources of scholarships. Both from local and national providers. Check out over community service scholarships worth .
The Wachusett-Worcester Love Your Neighbor Award is available for graduating high school seniors in Boylston, Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling, West Boylston or Worcester, MA. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement and unmet financial need.
The Jack and Dede Hill WSU Exchange Club Scholarship is available for graduating seniors at Wenatchee High School who are planning to attend Washington State University.
This scholarship is available for high school seniors in Baltimore, MD who have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and documented community service. Applicants must be accepted to and enroll at a four-year college or university in Maryland.
U.S. high school seniors who are graduating from a high school in Ocean or Monmouth Counties in New Jersey are eligible for this award. Students must have a parent who has been or is afflicted with cancer OR must be battling cancer.
This scholarship is available for students who are enrolled at or planning to enroll at Cal-Poly, San Luis Obispo or Alan Hancock Community College. Applicants must have been employed, or have a parent or legal guardian employed as a vineyard worker during the 2017 or 2018 agricultural season.
The San Ardo Fund for Education Scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors who reside in San Ardo, California. Click here to learn more and to apply today!
The Kelly Family Scholarship is available for to a graduating seniors at Caesar Rodney High School in Camden, Delaware. Click here to learn more and apply today!
U.S. students enrolling as first- or second-year undergraduate students at any public Idaho or Nevada institution are eligible. Students must have demonstrated volunteer involvement in at least one charitable activity benefiting the community; Applicants with GPAs of 2.8 or lower are also encouraged to apply.
This scholarship is available for first generation Asian Americans in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara or Solano county of California. Applicants must be high school seniors at the time of application and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
The First Sergeant Kevin Dupont Memorial Scholarship Fund is available for graduating high school seniors at and previous graduates of Chicopee Comprehensive High School. Applicants should demonstrate leadership and/or a commitment to community service.
