Community Service Scholarships

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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 420 community service scholarships worth $1M.

Eon Essay Contest

Eon Essay Contest is raising awareness about the importance of avoiding existential risks. Existential risks are risks that threaten humanity’s entire future. Examples include pandemics, nuclear warfare, and artificial intelligence. We must avoid these risks to ensure future generations will flourish. The Eon Essay Contest is open to all students (high school, undergraduate, and graduate). To enter, you must read the book The Precipice by Toby Ord and write an essay of up to 1,200 words on one of the essay prompts provided on the contest website. The Precipice explores the science behind existential risks, which are risks that threaten the destruction of humanity’s longterm potential. Ending these risks is among the most pressing moral issues of our time.
Award Amount

Total: $42000

Awards: 10

Deadline

Deadline: June 15, 2023

Community Leadership Scholarship

The Underwood Law Office Community Leadership Scholarship was created to bring light to the individuals who possess these characteristics and to help support them in their higher education so they may emerge as leaders who can shape the communities of tomorrow.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: June 15, 2023

Community First Scholarship

From the time our founding partner William R. Edwards began taking on personal injury cases in 1962, clients’ rights have been the main focus for The Edwards Law Firm. Getting to the truth and securing the best results for clients are the principles that guide everything we do. Some 60 years later, that clear mission carries The Edwards Law Firm forward and inspires us to work hard for justice. Today, we have a slate of personal injury attorneys, paralegals, and staff managing a variety of cases, investigating accidents and injuries, and working to achieve fair settlements for clients. Applicants must include a one-page essay of approximately 500 words that responds to the given prompt. Additionally, applicants should submit proof of enrollment in a U.S. college or university. To be eligible for this award, please provide contact information and a professional headshot.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: June 27, 2023

Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation Student Educational Scholarship

Women of the Vine & Spirits Foundation, Ltd. (the “Foundation”) provides scholarships and awards for the purpose of helping women advance their careers in the food, wine, spirits, brewing, hospitality, or viticulture industries through education, leadership, and professional development, as well as fostering gender diversity and talent development across the industry at large.
Award Amount

Total: $5000

Awards: 2

Deadline

Deadline: June 30, 2023

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: July 31, 2023

Grungo Colarulo Giving Back to the Community Scholarship

Here at Grungo Colarulo, we are experienced personal injury trial attorneys committed to understanding the devastating effects that an unexpected tragedy can have on a family, and we use this knowledge of advocacy and service to give back to our communities. We believe that it is essential to lead by example and serve one’s community. We hope to encourage others, particularly students, to do the same. At Grungo Colarulo, we believe it is important to empower others to make the world a better place by helping them to realize their full academic potential. In 2021, we were happy to select Stella Walborn as the winner of our scholarship because of her leadership and dedication to the community. We are proud to continue the Grungo Colarulo Giving Back to the Community Scholarship of $1,000 for the sixth year in a row to celebrate individuals who are committed to service in their community. The scholarship will be awarded to the student whose essay best describes their experienced commitment to community service and what role their experience with community service has played and will play in their academic career.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: October 31, 2023

American Public Service Scholarship

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 2023 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!
Award Amount

Total: $2000

Awards: 2

Deadline

Deadline: December 31, 2023

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

Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith HBCU Scholarship Award

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.
Award Amount

Total: $2000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: January 23

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