With the ability to turn volunteer work into a method of paying off student loans, community service students can afford to take larger student loans than other graduate students. Not only that, but volunteering has a history of making anyone associated 27% more likely to receive employment.
So, with all these positives that come with community service in college, why are college students less likely to volunteer for community service programs than high school seniors or students?
Most community service students do not have enough time to participate in community service without feeling stressed. Not to mention that with the financial strain placed upon college students and graduates, many have to fulfill work-study or other scholarship requirements even to attend a university. This leaves college students with very little time to volunteer compared to high school seniors. For that reason, these high school students may find it more valuable to volunteer for community service as high school seniors because that is the time when they are less swamped with homework and deadlines that come with a college education.
The Challenges of Community Service Students Applying for College
One common element for high school students interested in community service is the lack of clarity surrounding college community service opportunities. Many undergraduate and graduate students lack community service opportunities for their local colleges.
However, having some form of the volunteer experience is essential for high school and college students attempting to get a stable source of income. Participating in community service before becoming a college undergraduate is recommended and encouraged in many community service scholarship programs.
A Community Service Scholarship vs. Loan Debt
Many community service scholarships and community service projects allow users to relieve some of their student loans. Many of these programs, such as the Shared Harvest Fund, provide loan debt payments on a project-by-project basis. These scholarships are vital for giving the applicant a source of financial benefit for their hard work, especially when the average debt for school loans has seemingly plateaued at around $30,000.
How to Find Scholarships for Community Service
High school and college students can look for community service scholarships and community service projects by going through multiple college sites and seeing the type of scholarships they have that apply to those with a certain amount of community service hours. Or look at other scholarship services that value leadership qualities and experiences with community service.
Types of Community Service Scholarships
One of the significant benefits of community service scholarships is that only 25.7% of college students volunteer, which means community service scholarships have a limited pool.
Each applicant has a higher chance of winning. Community service scholarships are vast and varied. Community service high school and college students can receive community service scholarship offers from their colleges and outside sources depending on when these students choose to volunteer.
Other Community Service Scholarships for High School and College Students
While there aren’t an infinite amount of community service scholarships, there is a good quantity of them, considering the relatively small pool of students who can apply for them, whether still in high school, beginning college, or university.
The students pursuing community service scholarships can apply for more general scholarships that can also function as community service scholarships or scholarship awards. These community service awards, such as community scholarships, volunteer scholarships, and other community involvement, can apply for scholarships related to the applicant’s materials.
Community service students are good candidates for scholarship awards, including essay scholarships as proof of volunteering time. They are also good candidates for any scholarships that discuss the possibility of helping their community with their knowledge as undergraduate and graduate students.
Tips for Winning
When it comes to scholarships that apply to community service, a tip to winning these scholarships is being able to share experiences working in community service. Writing about these experiences in an essay that varies between 200 to 1000 words is a great way to win a scholarship.
Requirements for Community Service Scholarships
The requirements for the community service scholarships typically involve the graduating high school seniors or current college students being able to prove that they have volunteered for community service beforehand. Applicants can be young adults who are either a student in high school, including high school seniors, and graduate or undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree and academic excellence through volunteer service, community volunteer, and public service.
The 20 Best Community Service Scholarships on Bold.org
Thankfully, to help aid young adults in their pursuit of scholarship opportunities and achieve a college degree through community services, such as a community service project, leadership skills in the community, and attending college while demonstrating financial strain and the need for financial aid.
Marcarelli Community Spirit Scholarship
This community service scholarship is for high school seniors in Maryland who have committed to volunteering. Anyone who has done some community-related activities is eligible to apply for this scholarship.
- Amount: $1,000
- Application Deadline: July 1, 2022
- Winner Announced: July 31, 2022
Lorraine Belcourt Love in the Community Scholarship
This scholarship applies to any high school seniors or undergraduate students in North Dakota.
These high school or college students have experience giving back to their community through volunteering, non-profit work, or another community service. Students are eligible if they pursue a public service career.
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: December 1, 2022
- Winner Announced: December 31, 2022
Bold Community Activist Scholarship
For all community service students who have experience conducting volunteer work on an active basis and are interested in helping their local communities. To apply, the applicant must write a concise essay detailing how they have positively affected their local community.
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: July 13, 2022
- Winner Announced: August 13, 2022
WiseGeek Community Service no-essay Scholarship
A scholarship for those trying to help their communities. For community service students who have experience conducting volunteer work and are interested in helping their local communities through their field.
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: August 16, 2022
- Winner Announced: September 16, 2022
Filipino-American Scholarship
This scholarship is specifically for Filipino-American undergraduates interested in any form of community service. Its goal is to boost the representation of Filipino-Americans in academia and the workforce.
“To apply, please write a 350-word essay telling us about your story and the impact you would like to make on the Filipino-American community.”
- Amount: $1,500
- Application Deadline: January 16, 2022
- Winner Announced: February 16, 2022
Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship
This scholarship is for any educational level in any field as long as they have had some form of personal experience with mental health, whether it be their mental health or the mental health of a friend.
Community service students interested in helping those who experience mental health issues are recommended to apply for this scholarship.
“Students applying to the scholarship will be required to write an essay about how their experience with mental health has influenced their beliefs, relationships, and career aspirations.”
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: October 30, 2022
- Winner Announced: November 30, 2022
Jimmy Cardenas Community Leader Scholarship
This scholarship is for those in the state of Texas who are undergraduate students looking to pursue a career that will help them apply to serve their community. This is an excellent scholarship for community service students who live in Texas and wish to pursue a job locally.
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: November 22, 2022
- Winner Announced: December 31, 2022
Mental Health Matters Scholarship
A scholarship is for students of any educational level with a 2.5 GPA or higher, who have a history of combating mental health issues, and have proven themselves to be leaders within their communities despite these personal mental health challenges.
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
- Winner Announced: September 30, 2022
Bold Mental Health Awareness Scholarship
“The Bold Mental Health Awareness Scholarship will support one student who is struggling with mental health or is passionate about helping others who struggle with mental health.”
This does not require the applicant to take specific mental health and psychology courses. Still, for any community service students out there with an interest in mental health issues, this is an excellent scholarship to apply for.
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: June 24, 2022
- Winner Announced: July 24, 2022
First-Year College Students: Jennie Gilbert Daigre Education Scholarship
This scholarship isn’t for admission, but rather it’s for undergraduate students who want help in purchasing their textbooks. This is especially useful for community service students who have most of their benefits put into student loans.
“Undergraduate students at 2-year or 4-year institutions are eligible to apply.”
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
- Winner Announced: September 30, 2022
“A Daring Path” No-Essay Scholarship
This is a no-essay scholarship for students willing to take chances and won’t allow their fears to control them in pursuing their dreams. If the applicant is a bold person who wishes to get the most out of life, this is the scholarship.
“The scholarship is open to all students and non-students from any field of study.”
- Amount: $1,000
- Application Deadline: October 30, 2022
- Winner Announced: November 30, 2022
Rising Scholarship
This scholarship is for any female student operating at the high school education level in Illinois. The organization Her Rising Initiative, which funds this scholarship, wishes to help create an environment where young female students’ voices can be heard, and their ambitions can be met.
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
- Winner Announced: October 1, 2022
ESOF Academic Scholarship
This scholarship is for African American students looking to enter a historically Black college or university (HBCU). Applicants need at least a 3.0 GPA to be eligible to apply for this scholarship.
“To apply, tell us about your future goals and commitment to public or civic service.” This type of scholarship is for outstanding graduate students pursuing a career in civic services for their communities.
- Amount: $1,000
- Application Deadline: June 19, 2022
- Winner Announced: July 19, 2022
David L. Burns Memorial Scholarship
A memorial scholarship that is meant to support those in Missouri. Specifically to help those dedicated to helping those who have struggled with a sense of addiction. Students who are entering fields focused on assisting the physical and mental health of others are eligible to apply.
“These fields could be nursing, counseling/mental health, social work, or other similar careers.”
- Amount: $2,550
- Application Deadline: November 1, 2022
- Winner Announced: December 1, 2022
Peter T. Buecher Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is aimed at students within Minnesota who wish to use their knowledge to enrich their community. This is a scholarship that those good characters who live in Minnesota are recommended because it’s an opportunity to communicate how much they wish to give back to their community.
- Amount: $1,000
- Application Deadline: May 1, 2023
- Winner Announced: June 1, 2023
Francis “Slip” Madigan Scholarship
This scholarship is for first-generation students when it comes to college who are currently High School seniors and reside in Massachusetts. So, for first-generation athletes whose families didn’t have the resources to attend college and wish to gain a higher education, this is an excellent scholarship to apply for.
- Amount: $1,000
- Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
- Winner Announced: September 30, 2022
#FinancialFreedom no-essay Scholarship
A scholarship that doesn’t require an essay to be submitted and offered is for ambitious students who don’t have the financial means to pursue their ambition even though they have the drive to do so.
“The scholarship is open to all high school, undergraduate, and graduate school students and non-students from any field of study.”
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: October 30, 2022
- Winner Announced: November 30, 2022
Sullivan Promise Project Scholarship
This is a scholarship based in Virginia for high school students, all hoping to support students who embody the ‘everyday hero’ by involving themselves in community service or non-profit work despite having a non-traditional home life.
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
- Winner Announced: September 30, 2022
Frantz Barron Scholarship
This is a scholarship for any low-income, male, Black, first-generation college student. This scholarship supports male students who need financial assistance to continue their education.
“Any first-generation, low-income, high-achieving, male, high school senior in New Jersey may apply for this scholarship.”
- Amount: $1,000
- Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
- Winner Announced: September 30, 2022
WiseGeek Community Service No-Essay Scholarship
The WiseGeek Community Service No-Essay Scholarship is a $500 award dedicated to empowering young volunteers. It’s open to undergraduate and high school senior students who exemplify the spirit of community service, acknowledging their critical role in enriching society and personal development.
The WiseGeek Community Service No-Essay Scholarship recognizes the vital role young volunteers play in our communities. Notably, teenagers in the U.S. contribute 2.4 billion hours annually to volunteer work, valued at $34.3 billion to the economy. This significant involvement not only benefits communities but also the volunteers themselves. Youth who volunteer are less likely to engage in destructive behavior and more likely to succeed academically and civically.
This scholarship supports deserving, community-minded students of all education levels and fields of study, helping them pursue their education with less financial burden. In commitment to our communities, we hope this scholarship encourages these future leaders to continue their exemplary service.
- Amount: $500
- Application Deadline: June 1, 2024
- Winner Announced: June 15, 2024
FAQs About Community Service Scholarships for students
Scholarships that apply to those who have community service experience are abundant but often aren’t very clear. It isn’t easy to find them or understand what scholarships use for community service. These are some answers to some commonly asked questions for community service scholarships.
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Are our Community Service scholarships legit?
Community service scholarships are accurate and based on a commitment to community service. Often community service scholarships are given to those who have already done community service instead of those planning to do so in the future?
How can I improve my chances of winning Community Service scholarships?
You can improve your chances by taking your time with your essays. Also, you can improve your chances of winning a scholarship program for community service by including a cover letter showing your community service experiences.
How many Community Service scholarships can you get?
There is no limit to the number of scholarships. You can apply for as many as there are available. You can apply for multiple scholarships at once. You can receive funding from various scholarships.
Our Community Service scholarships taxable income?
Community service scholarships are taxable depending on the funds for room and board, optional materials, and travel. If the scholarship is used for tuition, assigned books, etc., it is not taxable.
What’s the best way to apply for Community Service scholarships?
By checking the requirements for the scholarship and making sure that you have the best essays, do your research on who is funding the scholarship. If the person sponsoring the scholarship has specific preferences in who they give it to, that’s also something to account for.
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Paulla Estes
Paulla Estes, holding a B.A. in English Literature from George Mason University, showcases her expertise in writing and communication through her influential articles for Scholarship Institute. She focuses on creating review articles and recommendations that guide students in exploring educational funding.