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 community service scholarships worth .

The Beers & Gordon Law $2,500 Scholarship

We are a personal injury law firm based in Central Florida. Together we have almost 60 years of experience in helping people receive the compensation they deserve. Beers & Gordon, P.A., a Seminole County Personal Injury Law Firm, is pleased to offer a $2,500 scholarship to a Seminole County High School Senior planning to attend an accredited school, college, or university in the Fall of 2023. The scholarship program is aimed at students who have demonstrated a commitment to both their studies and the community. Attorneys, David Beers and Jim Gordon, the founders of Beers & Gordon, P.A., strongly believe that the best way to impact the world is service to the community. The entire firm is committed to serving their community, and we would like to help a student who exemplifies strong leadership and service within their community.
Award Amount

Total:  $2500

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  March 31

Parent Projects Scholarship

Parent Projects purpose is to create a positive and material impact on families by reducing barriers to safe living environments for older adults. We are interested in finding out how students themselves, or someone they know, had the opportunity in improving an older adult’s living environment, as well as how their experience impacted their approach on helping others.
Award Amount

Total:  $8000

Awards:  4

Deadline

Deadline:  September 15

DREAMS for Youth Scholarship

Since its inception in 2002, United Way of Long Island has awarded scholarships and/or grants, in the areas of Academics & Enrichment, totaling more than $1,000,000. The D.R.E.A.M.S. For Youth Advisory Board, comprised of 7th graders to college students, works under the guidance of United Way staff to make award decisions. The Dreams R Us Foundation provides support for D.R.E.A.M.S. For Youth scholarships. The D.R.E.A.M.S. For Youth Scholarship grants are awarded in two areas: Academic – Assists with costs associated with educational goals at a college, university, private or vocational school. Applicants must be in grade 12, demonstrate financial need and a commitment to community service. Financial awards range from $1,000 to $2,500. Enrichment – Assists with costs associated with activities that enrich the soul, body, heart or inspire creativity. Examples may include music, singing, dance, art lessons; computer graphics training; acting, photography, fashion design; specialized summer camps etc. Funds may be used for enrollment fees, instruments and/or supplies. Applicants must be in grades 7-12, demonstrate financial need and a commitment to community service. Financial awards range from $100 to $2,500.
Award Amount

Total:  $3000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  June 01

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:  $4000

Awards:  2

Deadline

Deadline:  December 31

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

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:  $420000

Awards:  10

Deadline

Deadline:  June 15

Nakayama Public Service Scholarship

I am delighted to introduce the Nakayama Public Service Scholarship. The Nakayama family created an endowment specifically to support highly motivated students who want to work on our world’s challenging problems by engaging in public service careers (defined as careers in organizations that end in .edu, .gov, .mil or .org). This is the only Duke-funded merit scholarship that currently enrolled students may apply directly for in their junior year. The scholarship will cover one half of the scholars’ tuition in their senior year (2 semesters). President Vincent Price has said, “Our students, faculty, and staff are directly engaged in improving lives and communities in our region and around the world, demonstrating real leadership in the policy field.” The Nakayama Public Service Scholarship is an important investment in further promotion of this endeavor for some of our most driven students headed into lives of such engagement.
Award Amount

Total:  $30000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  March 14

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:  $5500000

Awards:  55

Deadline

Deadline:  April 01

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:  $32000

Awards:  4

Deadline

Deadline:  April 15

PHAM For Love of Country Scholarship

The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum (PHAM) Educational Endowment was Established in 2021 to fund PHAM educational efforts and to award scholarships for individuals committed to a career in aviation. The Endowment was funded with $1,000,000 by the Rick & Teresa Price Family as a condition in the sale of a division of their Hawaii based company to Oil Changers, Inc. in January 2020. Distribution from the endowment will fund the For Love of Country Scholarship up to $10,000 for individuals whose commitment to an aviation career is evident, including prior related education, work experience, pursuit of post graduate studies, required continuing education, certification/recertification programs, etc. The For Love of Country Scholarships are managed and awarded without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin. Scholarships are non-transferable; however, recipients may apply for one subsequent scholarship after successful completion of the course of study funded by the initial scholarship. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Prior to awarding the scholarship, the applicant must provide an acceptance letter and course content from the selected vocational school, college, or university. Funds will be mailed/wired directly to the institution.
Award Amount

Total:  $10000

Awards:  1

Deadline

Deadline:  January 15