Community Service Scholarships

Millions of Scholarships, personalized results

 and get matched to scholarships that are personalized for you.

CAN YOU GET SCHOLARSHIPS FOR Community Service?

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! 

  1. The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
  2. MECU Baltimore Credit Union Community Service and Merit
  3. Aimee Kathryn Fitzpatrick Community Service Scholarship Fund
  4. CollegeXpress Community Service Scholarship
  5. 4-H  Community Service Scholarship
  6. Glidden Community Service Scholarship 
  7. Honor Society Community Service Scholarship 
  8. Rosen Hagood Community Service Scholarship 
  9. Richard and Jeanne Ahlquist Community Service Scholarship 
  10. 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:

  1. Organizing a local blood drive at a medical center
  2. Registering voters in your neighborhood
  3. Holding a bake sale and donating the profits
  4. Being a reading coach
  5. Run in a charity race
  6. Clean local parks
  7. Donate your stuffed animals to a children’s hospital
  8. Gather clothing for the homeless
  9. Work in a soup kitchen during holiday season
  10. 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 486 community service scholarships worth $2M.

Public Spirit Scholarship

At Addair Law, we are passionate about getting involved and supporting community members. We have a strong commitment to serving others and have seen how performing civic duties improves the lives of individuals and the greater community. People are generally inspired to give back to their community for many different reasons and would like to hear from students about what motivates them to give back or be active citizens. That is why we are proud to bring back our Public Spirit Scholarship. We want to hear from students interested in public welfare and improving their community for this scholarship. We ask applicants to discuss their involvement in their community, any organizations they are involved in, and the academic value they have learned and/or gained from giving back to others. Some examples of civic involvement include but are not limited to voting, volunteering at a local or nonprofit organization, coaching for a community sports league, tutoring, or fundraising for a charity.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: March 31, 2024

Generation Hope Scholar Program: DC Metro Region

The Generation Hope Scholar Program surrounds teen parents with mentoring, tuition assistance, a peer community, and other vital, wrap-around services to help them earn their degrees. Throughout the year, Scholars receive trainings on topics such as life balance and academic planning, as well as free tutoring, mental health supports, and career preparation. Scholars will also have access to family-friendly events and our annual Hope Conference, which provides life and career advice from experts within the community.
Award Amount

Total: $100000

Awards: 55

Deadline

Deadline: April 01, 2024

First General Bank Scholarship

APCF was founded in 1990 by API community leaders in response to the need for alternative funding for Los Angeles-based nonprofit organizations serving API communities. Since 2011, APCF has partnered with donors such as local companies and family foundations to offer scholarship programs to financially assist students in their pursuit of higher education. All of the scholarships have an online application and recommender form that can only be found on our site. The online applications can be found at https://www.apcf.org/scholarships Application requires student to list out community service activities, disclose some family financial information, and answer 2-500 word essay prompts. The applicant must share the recommender form link with their preferred advisor for submission.
Award Amount

Total: $8000

Awards: 4

Deadline

Deadline: April 15, 2024

SLAD Youth Activist Scholarship

The South Lyon Area Democrats (SLAD) will be awarding a scholarship to a local graduating high school senior to support their college, vocational school, or other post-high-school education, training, or activism. This scholarship will be awarded to a student who demonstrates progressive values, care for their community, and a desire for action.
Award Amount

Total: $2000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: April 30, 2024

Stand Up to Distracted Driving Scholarship

At Kanoski Bresney, we have over 40 years of experience representing injury victims throughout central Illinois, and we have obtained more than $400 million for our clients in personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. Write a 1,000-word essay about your experiences with distracted driving and your ideas for prevention and awareness among young drivers. Submit the essay along with an academic transcript, contact information, and a professional headshot using the form on our scholarship page.
Award Amount

Total: $5000

Awards: 5

Deadline

Deadline: May 29, 2024

GBV Service Scholarship

There are many ways that we as people can serve others both within our community and abroad. Within our community, we can volunteer our time or resources to worthy causes to help those in need. We can also help other communities by going abroad as part of military or humanitarian efforts to assist those suffering from the effects of war, famine, disease, and more. No matter the method, taking time and resources to help is more than just a rewarding experience: it’s the right thing to do. To celebrate the efforts of those who take part in helping communities grow, our team at Glauber Berenson Vego is proud to announce the 2024 GBV Service Scholarship! This $1,000 opportunity is designed to support students who have made the effort to serve others in their lives. To apply, we are asking students to write a 750-1000 word essay about serving others or the work they did and submit it along with their unofficial transcript and professional resume.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: August 31, 2024

Safety on the Road Scholarship

The Safety on the Road Scholarship is now open for applications from current high school seniors, college students, and graduate students who are legal residents of the US and enrolled in a two- to five-year post-secondary institution. The scholarship will be awarded based on the quality and originality of the essay and the potential impact of the proposed change on road safety. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to share your ideas and make a difference – apply now!
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: August 31, 2024

Bottari & Doyle, P.A. Law Firm Community Service Scholarship

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.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: December 31

Scott And Joan Rose Scholarship

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.
Award Amount

Total: $800

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: January 15

Evelyn Hider A & B HBCU Scholarship Awards

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.
Award Amount

Total: $2000

Awards: 2

Deadline

Deadline: January 23