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 547 community service scholarships worth $2M.
Now more than ever, our nation needs skilled public servants. By contributing to the greater good, public servants have the ability to effect change and improve the lives of others through their work. We understand that the current job market may be encouraging you to pursue high-compensation digital jobs, but we want to remind you of the importance of public service careers. Public service careers offer the opportunity to serve your community, make a meaningful impact, and find fulfillment in your work. They also provide job security and stability, with diverse opportunities in various fields.
Students interested in careers such as teaching, law enforcement, and public health are not only badly needed, but represent the true American spirit of contribution to their fellow citizens. This line of work requires meticulous study, sacrifice, and altruism to create meaningful change. It is essential that talented, interested students understand the importance of public service and the role they can play in shaping our nation’s future.
As a way to help encourage the next generation of public servants throughout the nation, our law firm is proud to announce a scholarship opportunity open to eligible students nationwide.
This scholarship aims to incentivize students to enter public service careers and make the difference that is needed. Our hope is the 2025 American Public Service Scholarship’s financial assistance can help kickstart that process and encourage students to brainstorm their potential career pathways in public service.
This $1,000 scholarship award will be granted to two students who best exemplify what it means to be a public servant and answer the essay prompt to demonstrate their commitment to helping others. Be sure to outline your career aspirations, motivations, and how you will contribute as a public servant.
With our longstanding relationship with the College of the Desert, California State University Bakersfield, and the University of California Riverside, we want to encourage students from these universities to apply.
We can’t wait to read these applications!
The Law Firm of Bottari & Doyle will award one $1,000.00 scholarship to any student who provided substantial community service throughout his or her college career. The student must have at least a 3.0 GPA and have demonstrated a commitment to community service throughout his or her college career.
This scholarship is available for a high school senior in Pinellas County who demonstrates a strong commitment to community service through participation in academic or community groups, organizations, and associations.
The HBCU Council of Shiloh Baptist Church offers the Evelyn Hider A & B HBCU Scholarship Awards to two incoming freshmen at an HBCU with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and financial need.
Established in 2003, the HBCU Council of Shiloh Baptist Church offers the Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith HBCU Scholarship Award of $2,000 to an incoming freshman at an HBCU with a minimum GPA of 3.5.
The HBCU Council of Shiloh Baptist Church offers the Carolyn M. Harris HBCU Scholarship Award of $1,000 to an incoming freshman at an HBCU with a minimum GPA of 2.5 who is a member of a musical group or (music) education major.
The HBCU Council of Shiloh Baptist Church offers the Heritage HBCU Scholarship Award of $2,000 to an incoming freshman at an HBCU with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on the basis of financial need.
The Upper Tampa Bay Education Foundation Scholarship is available for high school students at Alonso or Sickles High School in northern Tampa, Florida. Applicants must plan to major in a STEM field, must demonstrate financial need, and must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
This award is available for undergraduate women studying sociology at Washington State University. Applicants must be returning to school after a period of absence and demonstrate financial need.
U.S. graduating high school seniros who demonstrate an exceptional record of community or leadership will be invited to apply for this award upon Early Action admission to DePaul University.
