community service essay scholarships

The Complete List of Community Service Scholarships

community service essay scholarships

Why Community Service Scholarships?

Community service scholarships are a valuable opportunity for students to receive financial assistance while making a positive impact on their communities. These scholarships reward students who are actively engaged in giving back through volunteering and community service activities. Here are some reasons why community service scholarships are worth considering:

1. Encourages Civic Engagement: Community service scholarships encourage young individuals to become active and engaged citizens. By participating in volunteer work and community service projects, students develop a sense of responsibility, empathy, and a commitment to social causes.

2. Builds Leadership Skills: Community service often involves taking initiative, organizing events, and leading others. Scholarships that recognize community service achievements also acknowledge a student's leadership potential and ability to inspire and motivate others.

3. Demonstrates Commitment: By dedicating their time and efforts to community service, students show dedication and passion for causes they believe in. This commitment sets them apart in scholarship applications and demonstrates their willingness to make a difference.

4. Supports Financial Needs: Scholarships provide financial aid, reducing the burden of educational expenses. For many students, community service scholarships offer an opportunity to pursue higher education without incurring significant debt.

5. Enhances College Applications: Community service experience can significantly strengthen college applications. Admissions officers often look for well-rounded individuals who have actively contributed to their communities. A strong commitment to community service can be a valuable addition to a college application.

6. Expands Networking Opportunities: Community service involvement connects students with like-minded peers, mentors, and community leaders. These networks can open doors to other opportunities, including internships, jobs, and future collaborations.

7. Fosters Personal Growth: Engaging in community service exposes students to diverse perspectives and challenges, leading to personal growth and a broader understanding of social issues.

8. Impact on Career Opportunities: Many employers value applicants with a history of community service, as it demonstrates qualities such as teamwork, communication skills, and a strong work ethic.

9. Encourages Lifelong Commitment: Community service scholarships instill a sense of responsibility for giving back to society, encouraging recipients to continue their community involvement throughout their lives.

In conclusion, community service scholarships not only provide financial support for education but also recognize and reward students for their commitment to making a positive impact on their communities. By encouraging civic engagement, leadership, and personal growth, these scholarships foster a new generation of socially responsible and motivated individuals.

How to Find Community Service Scholarships

Finding community service scholarships requires diligent research and strategic planning. Here are some steps to help you find and apply for these scholarships:

1. Start Early: Begin your search for community service scholarships early in your high school career. Many scholarships have specific eligibility criteria, and some may require a long-term commitment to community service.

2. Use Scholarship Search Engines: Utilize reputable scholarship search engines like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and College Board's Scholarship Search to find community service scholarships. These platforms allow you to filter results based on your interests, skills, and activities.

3. Check with Local Organizations: Local businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations often offer scholarships to students in their area. Check with schools, libraries, religious institutions, and civic groups to inquire about available opportunities.

4. Explore National Organizations: Many national organizations offer scholarships to students who demonstrate a commitment to community service. Examples include the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, DoSomething.org, and the Points of Light Civic Accelerator.

5. Research College-Specific Scholarships: Some colleges and universities offer scholarships specifically for students who have a strong record of community service. Research the financial aid and scholarship pages of your prospective colleges to identify relevant opportunities.

6. Utilize Social Media: Follow scholarship organizations, community service groups, and scholarship search engines on social media platforms. They often announce new scholarship opportunities through their social media channels.

7. Attend College Fairs and Workshops: Participate in college fairs and workshops to learn about various scholarship opportunities. Many colleges and organizations present scholarships and financial aid options during these events.

8. Check with School Counselors: School counselors are valuable resources for scholarship information. They can provide guidance on where to find scholarships, review your applications, and offer valuable advice.

9. Review Scholarship Requirements: Read the eligibility criteria carefully for each scholarship to ensure you meet the requirements. Some scholarships may have specific service hour requirements or target students with certain types of community service experience.

10. Prepare a Strong Application: When applying for community service scholarships, highlight your commitment to service, leadership skills, and the impact you have made on your community. Provide specific examples and quantify your achievements when possible.

11. Meet Deadlines: Submit your scholarship applications before the deadlines. Late applications are typically not considered, so stay organized and keep track of all application deadlines.

12. Write a Compelling Essay: Many scholarships require an essay that showcases your community service experiences and personal growth. Craft a compelling and authentic essay that reflects your passion for making a difference.

Remember, applying for community service scholarships may take time and effort, but the rewards can be significant. By actively seeking out these opportunities and showcasing your commitment to community service, you increase your chances of receiving financial support for your education and making a positive impact on the world.

How to Apply for Community Service Scholarships

Applying for community service scholarships requires careful planning and organization. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the application process:

1. Identify Eligible Scholarships: Start by identifying scholarships that specifically reward community service involvement. Look for scholarships offered by local organizations, national foundations, colleges, and universities that value community engagement.

2. Review Scholarship Requirements: Carefully read the eligibility criteria for each scholarship to ensure you meet all the requirements. Pay attention to service hour requirements, specific types of community service, GPA thresholds, and any other conditions.

3. Gather Documentation: Collect all the necessary documents, such as transcripts, recommendation letters, and proof of community service hours. Organize them in a folder or digital file for easy access during the application process.

4. Write a Personal Statement: Most community service scholarships require a personal statement or essay. Use this opportunity to showcase your passion for community service, the impact it has had on your life, and how it aligns with your academic and career goals.

5. Quantify Your Achievements: In your personal statement and application, provide specific examples of your community service experiences. Quantify your achievements by mentioning the number of hours volunteered, the number of people you've helped, or the outcomes of your projects.

6. Request Letters of Recommendation: Reach out to teachers, community leaders, supervisors, or mentors who can write strong letters of recommendation highlighting your dedication to community service and your character.

7. Complete the Application: Fill out the scholarship application accurately and thoroughly. Pay attention to details and ensure all required fields are completed. Double-check for any errors or omissions before submitting.

8. Meet Deadlines: Note the application deadlines for each scholarship and submit your applications well before the due date. Late applications are typically not considered, so be punctual and plan accordingly.

9. Tailor Your Applications: Customize your applications for each scholarship to demonstrate your fit with the organization's values and goals. Address specific criteria mentioned in the scholarship description.

10. Proofread and Edit: Review your application, personal statement, and other materials for grammar and spelling errors. Seek feedback from teachers, counselors, or family members to improve the quality of your application.

11. Submit Additional Materials: Some scholarships may require additional materials, such as project proposals, portfolios, or essays on specific topics. Ensure you submit all requested documents on time.

12. Follow Up: After submitting your application, keep track of any communication from scholarship providers. They may reach out for additional information or to inform you about the status of your application.

13. Be Patient: Scholarship selection processes can take time. Be patient and avoid getting discouraged if you don't hear back immediately. Continue searching for additional scholarship opportunities to increase your chances of success.

By following these steps and staying organized throughout the application process, you can maximize your chances of securing community service scholarships and furthering your education while making a positive impact on your community.

List of Community Service Scholarships by Category

Here is a list of community service scholarships categorized by different criteria, along with their website links:

1. General Community Service Scholarships:

   - Prudential Spirit of Community Awards: Recognizes middle and high school students for exemplary community service. Website: https://spirit.prudential.com/

   - Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes: Honors young leaders who have made a significant positive impact on their communities. Website: https://barronprize.org/

2. Local Community Service Scholarships:

   - [City/State Name] Community Foundation Scholarships: Many local community foundations offer scholarships to students who have demonstrated commitment to community service. Check your city or state's community foundation website for specific opportunities.

3. National Merit Scholarship Program:

   - Offers scholarships based on PSAT/NMSQT scores, academic achievements, and community service. Website: https://www.nationalmerit.org/

4. Youth Service America (YSA) Grants:

   - Provides grants and awards to young changemakers who are making a difference through community service projects. Website: https://ysa.org/

5. Community Service Scholarships for Specific Causes:

   - DoSomething Scholarships: Offers various scholarships for young people who have taken action on specific social issues. Website: https://www.dosomething.org/us/about/easy-scholarships

   - Points of Light Tribute Awards: Recognizes students for community service projects addressing pressing social issues. Website: https://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/recognition/tribute-awards/

6. Scholarships for Volunteerism and Humanitarian Work:

   - Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund: Supports students actively involved in social justice movements. Website: https://www.davisputter.org/

   - Humanitarian Scholarship by Bright Horizons: Awards scholarships to students with a strong commitment to humanitarian efforts. Website: https://www.brighthorizons.com/scholarships

7. Faith-Based Community Service Scholarships:

   - Knights of Columbus Scholarships: Offers scholarships to students actively involved in their local Catholic community. Website: https://www.kofc.org/en/scholarships/index.html

   - The Jewish Federation Scholarships: Provides scholarships for Jewish students who demonstrate a commitment to community service. Website: Check your local Jewish Federation's website for scholarship opportunities.

8. Community Service Scholarships for Leadership:

   - Horatio Alger Association Scholarships: Supports students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills through community service. Website: https://scholars.horatioalger.org/

9. Community Service Scholarships for Environmental Conservation:

   - Captain Planet Foundation Grants: Supports students engaged in environmental stewardship and conservation efforts. Website: https://captainplanetfoundation.org/grants/

10. Scholarship Programs for Community Service in Specific Fields:

   - STEM Service Scholarship by NMSC: Provides scholarships to students committed to community service in STEM fields. Website: https://www.nationalmerit.org/

Remember to carefully review each scholarship's eligibility criteria, application requirements, and deadlines. Additionally, explore local organizations and community centers for additional scholarship opportunities related to your community service efforts. Good luck in your scholarship search!

In conclusion, community service scholarships offer a fantastic opportunity for students to be recognized and rewarded for their dedication to making a positive impact on their communities. By engaging in meaningful service activities and actively seeking out scholarship opportunities, students can not only contribute to the betterment of society but also potentially receive financial support for their education. The list of community service scholarships provided here is just a starting point, and students are encouraged to explore further resources and local organizations for additional scholarship opportunities. Remember, combining passion, service, and academic excellence can lead to a brighter future and a stronger sense of social responsibility.

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How to Write a Great Community Service Essay

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College Admissions , Extracurriculars

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Are you applying to a college or a scholarship that requires a community service essay? Do you know how to write an essay that will impress readers and clearly show the impact your work had on yourself and others?

Read on to learn step-by-step instructions for writing a great community service essay that will help you stand out and be memorable.

What Is a Community Service Essay? Why Do You Need One?

A community service essay is an essay that describes the volunteer work you did and the impact it had on you and your community. Community service essays can vary widely depending on specific requirements listed in the application, but, in general, they describe the work you did, why you found the work important, and how it benefited people around you.

Community service essays are typically needed for two reasons:

#1: To Apply to College

  • Some colleges require students to write community service essays as part of their application or to be eligible for certain scholarships.
  • You may also choose to highlight your community service work in your personal statement.

#2: To Apply for Scholarships

  • Some scholarships are specifically awarded to students with exceptional community service experiences, and many use community service essays to help choose scholarship recipients.
  • Green Mountain College offers one of the most famous of these scholarships. Their "Make a Difference Scholarship" offers full tuition, room, and board to students who have demonstrated a significant, positive impact through their community service

Getting Started With Your Essay

In the following sections, I'll go over each step of how to plan and write your essay. I'll also include sample excerpts for you to look through so you can get a better idea of what readers are looking for when they review your essay.

Step 1: Know the Essay Requirements

Before your start writing a single word, you should be familiar with the essay prompt. Each college or scholarship will have different requirements for their essay, so make sure you read these carefully and understand them.

Specific things to pay attention to include:

  • Length requirement
  • Application deadline
  • The main purpose or focus of the essay
  • If the essay should follow a specific structure

Below are three real community service essay prompts. Read through them and notice how much they vary in terms of length, detail, and what information the writer should include.

From the Equitable Excellence Scholarship:

"Describe your outstanding achievement in depth and provide the specific planning, training, goals, and steps taken to make the accomplishment successful. Include details about your role and highlight leadership you provided. Your essay must be a minimum of 350 words but not more than 600 words."

From the Laura W. Bush Traveling Scholarship:

"Essay (up to 500 words, double spaced) explaining your interest in being considered for the award and how your proposed project reflects or is related to both UNESCO's mandate and U.S. interests in promoting peace by sharing advances in education, science, culture, and communications."

From the LULAC National Scholarship Fund:

"Please type or print an essay of 300 words (maximum) on how your academic studies will contribute to your personal & professional goals. In addition, please discuss any community service or extracurricular activities you have been involved in that relate to your goals."

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Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas

Even after you understand what the essay should be about, it can still be difficult to begin writing. Answer the following questions to help brainstorm essay ideas. You may be able to incorporate your answers into your essay.

  • What community service activity that you've participated in has meant the most to you?
  • What is your favorite memory from performing community service?
  • Why did you decide to begin community service?
  • What made you decide to volunteer where you did?
  • How has your community service changed you?
  • How has your community service helped others?
  • How has your community service affected your plans for the future?

You don't need to answer all the questions, but if you find you have a lot of ideas for one of two of them, those may be things you want to include in your essay.

Writing Your Essay

How you structure your essay will depend on the requirements of the scholarship or school you are applying to. You may give an overview of all the work you did as a volunteer, or highlight a particularly memorable experience. You may focus on your personal growth or how your community benefited.

Regardless of the specific structure requested, follow the guidelines below to make sure your community service essay is memorable and clearly shows the impact of your work.

Samples of mediocre and excellent essays are included below to give you a better idea of how you should draft your own essay.

Step 1: Hook Your Reader In

You want the person reading your essay to be interested, so your first sentence should hook them in and entice them to read more. A good way to do this is to start in the middle of the action. Your first sentence could describe you helping build a house, releasing a rescued animal back to the wild, watching a student you tutored read a book on their own, or something else that quickly gets the reader interested. This will help set your essay apart and make it more memorable.

Compare these two opening sentences:

"I have volunteered at the Wishbone Pet Shelter for three years."

"The moment I saw the starving, mud-splattered puppy brought into the shelter with its tail between its legs, I knew I'd do whatever I could to save it."

The first sentence is a very general, bland statement. The majority of community service essays probably begin a lot like it, but it gives the reader little information and does nothing to draw them in. On the other hand, the second sentence begins immediately with action and helps persuade the reader to keep reading so they can learn what happened to the dog.

Step 2: Discuss the Work You Did

Once you've hooked your reader in with your first sentence, tell them about your community service experiences. State where you work, when you began working, how much time you've spent there, and what your main duties include. This will help the reader quickly put the rest of the essay in context and understand the basics of your community service work.

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Not including basic details about your community service could leave your reader confused.

Step 3: Include Specific Details

It's the details of your community service that make your experience unique and memorable, so go into the specifics of what you did.

For example, don't just say you volunteered at a nursing home; talk about reading Mrs. Johnson her favorite book, watching Mr. Scott win at bingo, and seeing the residents play games with their grandchildren at the family day you organized. Try to include specific activities, moments, and people in your essay. Having details like these let the readers really understand what work you did and how it differs from other volunteer experiences.

Compare these two passages:

"For my volunteer work, I tutored children at a local elementary school. I helped them improve their math skills and become more confident students."

"As a volunteer at York Elementary School, I worked one-on-one with second and third graders who struggled with their math skills, particularly addition, subtraction, and fractions. As part of my work, I would create practice problems and quizzes and try to connect math to the students' interests. One of my favorite memories was when Sara, a student I had been working with for several weeks, told me that she enjoyed the math problems I had created about a girl buying and selling horses so much that she asked to help me create math problems for other students."

The first passage only gives basic information about the work done by the volunteer; there is very little detail included, and no evidence is given to support her claims. How did she help students improve their math skills? How did she know they were becoming more confident?

The second passage is much more detailed. It recounts a specific story and explains more fully what kind of work the volunteer did, as well as a specific instance of a student becoming more confident with her math skills. Providing more detail in your essay helps support your claims as well as make your essay more memorable and unique.

Step 4: Show Your Personality

It would be very hard to get a scholarship or place at a school if none of your readers felt like they knew much about you after finishing your essay, so make sure that your essay shows your personality. The way to do this is to state your personal strengths, then provide examples to support your claims. Take some time to think about which parts of your personality you would like your essay to highlight, then write about specific examples to show this.

  • If you want to show that you're a motivated leader, describe a time when you organized an event or supervised other volunteers.
  • If you want to show your teamwork skills, write about a time you helped a group of people work together better.
  • If you want to show that you're a compassionate animal lover, write about taking care of neglected shelter animals and helping each of them find homes.

Step 5: State What You Accomplished

After you have described your community service and given specific examples of your work, you want to begin to wrap your essay up by stating your accomplishments. What was the impact of your community service? Did you build a house for a family to move into? Help students improve their reading skills? Clean up a local park? Make sure the impact of your work is clear; don't be worried about bragging here.

If you can include specific numbers, that will also strengthen your essay. Saying "I delivered meals to 24 home-bound senior citizens" is a stronger example than just saying "I delivered meals to lots of senior citizens."

Also be sure to explain why your work matters. Why is what you did important? Did it provide more parks for kids to play in? Help students get better grades? Give people medical care who would otherwise not have gotten it? This is an important part of your essay, so make sure to go into enough detail that your readers will know exactly what you accomplished and how it helped your community.

"My biggest accomplishment during my community service was helping to organize a family event at the retirement home. The children and grandchildren of many residents attended, and they all enjoyed playing games and watching movies together."

"The community service accomplishment that I'm most proud of is the work I did to help organize the First Annual Family Fun Day at the retirement home. My job was to design and organize fun activities that senior citizens and their younger relatives could enjoy. The event lasted eight hours and included ten different games, two performances, and a movie screening with popcorn. Almost 200 residents and family members attended throughout the day. This event was important because it provided an opportunity for senior citizens to connect with their family members in a way they aren't often able to. It also made the retirement home seem more fun and enjoyable to children, and we have seen an increase in the number of kids coming to visit their grandparents since the event."

The second passage is stronger for a variety of reasons. First, it goes into much more detail about the work the volunteer did. The first passage only states that she helped "organize a family event." That really doesn't tell readers much about her work or what her responsibilities were. The second passage is much clearer; her job was to "design and organize fun activities."

The second passage also explains the event in more depth. A family day can be many things; remember that your readers are likely not familiar with what you're talking about, so details help them get a clearer picture.

Lastly, the second passage makes the importance of the event clear: it helped residents connect with younger family members, and it helped retirement homes seem less intimidating to children, so now some residents see their grand kids more often.

Step 6: Discuss What You Learned

One of the final things to include in your essay should be the impact that your community service had on you. You can discuss skills you learned, such as carpentry, public speaking, animal care, or another skill.

You can also talk about how you changed personally. Are you more patient now? More understanding of others? Do you have a better idea of the type of career you want? Go into depth about this, but be honest. Don't say your community service changed your life if it didn't because trite statements won't impress readers.

In order to support your statements, provide more examples. If you say you're more patient now, how do you know this? Do you get less frustrated while playing with your younger siblings? Are you more willing to help group partners who are struggling with their part of the work? You've probably noticed by now that including specific examples and details is one of the best ways to create a strong and believable essay .

"As a result of my community service, I learned a lot about building houses and became a more mature person."

"As a result of my community service, I gained hands-on experience in construction. I learned how to read blueprints, use a hammer and nails, and begin constructing the foundation of a two-bedroom house. Working on the house could be challenging at times, but it taught me to appreciate the value of hard work and be more willing to pitch in when I see someone needs help. My dad has just started building a shed in our backyard, and I offered to help him with it because I know from my community service how much work it is. I also appreciate my own house more, and I know how lucky I am to have a roof over my head."

The second passage is more impressive and memorable because it describes the skills the writer learned in more detail and recounts a specific story that supports her claim that her community service changed her and made her more helpful.

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Step 7: Finish Strong

Just as you started your essay in a way that would grab readers' attention, you want to finish your essay on a strong note as well. A good way to end your essay is to state again the impact your work had on you, your community, or both. Reiterate how you changed as a result of your community service, why you found the work important, or how it helped others.

Compare these two concluding statements:

"In conclusion, I learned a lot from my community service at my local museum, and I hope to keep volunteering and learning more about history."

"To conclude, volunteering at my city's American History Museum has been a great experience. By leading tours and participating in special events, I became better at public speaking and am now more comfortable starting conversations with people. In return, I was able to get more community members interested in history and our local museum. My interest in history has deepened, and I look forward to studying the subject in college and hopefully continuing my volunteer work at my university's own museum."

The second passage takes each point made in the first passage and expands upon it. In a few sentences, the second passage is able to clearly convey what work the volunteer did, how she changed, and how her volunteer work benefited her community.

The author of the second passage also ends her essay discussing her future and how she'd like to continue her community service, which is a good way to wrap things up because it shows your readers that you are committed to community service for the long-term.

What's Next?

Are you applying to a community service scholarship or thinking about it? We have a complete list of all the community service scholarships available to help get your search started!

Do you need a community service letter as well? We have a step-by-step guide that will tell you how to get a great reference letter from your community service supervisor.

Thinking about doing community service abroad? Before you sign up, read our guide on some of the hazards of international volunteer trips and how to know if it's the right choice for you.

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?   We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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community service essay scholarships

12 Community Service Scholarships for Students Who Give Back

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Have you made substantial efforts to be involved with and give back to your community? Are you looking for ways to supplement paying for your college tuition? Look no further. Here’s your guide to national community service scholarships.

This list includes general scholarships awarded on the basis of involvement in community service. It does not include scholarships aimed at specific demographics, locations, or areas of study or interest.

Why Community Service Matters

It’s important to give back to and participate in your community. Not only is the experience rewarding, but it also enables you to learn important leadership and professional skills.

Colleges don’t require community service, but it can be a valuable addition to your extracurricular activities. Read Do I Need Community Service for My College Applications? for more reasons why you should get involved.

Why Scholarships Matter

Scholarships often allow you to save significant money on tuition and other college expenses. There are many different scholarships available for particular demographics, such as first-generation students , as well as disciplines and fields, such as STEM .

There are two general classifications of scholarships. Merit scholarships are achievement-based, meaning you earn the award through your own efforts, such as community service participation or leadership. Need-based scholarships are awarded on the basis of who needs the award financially. Some scholarships take both factors into account.

community service essay scholarships

Community-Service Scholarships

Americorps vista.

Americorps offers the Segal Education Award, a roughly $6,000 value, for education expenses upon the completion of a 10–11-month period of service. Alternatively, you may receive a $1,800 cash stipend upon your service completion. The program also pays for living expenses during this period.

AXA Achievement Community Scholarships

One student from each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will receive scholarships of $2,500, $10,000 or $25,000. Students must demonstrate achievement in work-, school-, and community-related activities.

Bonner Scholars

The Cornelia and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation awards $4,000 scholarships to up to 1,500 students. In order to qualify, students must complete 10 hours of community service per week and participate in the foundation’s summer community service internship.

Christopher Reeve Award

The Heart of America recognizes one student per year with the Christopher Reeve Award. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a student who displays compassion in caring in her community.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program

This program recognizes 150 students for leading, serving, and making an impact on their schools and communities. The awards are $20,000 each.

Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program

One student per high school may be nominated by a principal or guidance counselor to receive a scholarship totaling $1,000. Recipients must demonstrate a commitment to community service, academics, and leadership.

Do Something Easy Scholarships

For a chance at winning scholarships of different amounts, many totaling thousands of dollars, students take part in Do Something volunteer campaigns and demonstrate their participation through photos. Students may participate in multiple campaigns to earn more scholarship money.

GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship

The GE-Reagan Foundation recognizes students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship with this $10,000 award. The scholarship is renewable for each year of college.

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

“Young heroes” who undertake community service projects are eligible to receive $10,000 scholarships.

Great Value Colleges Community Service Scholarship

Students who have shown passion for community service and enhanced their education through service may enter to win this $1,500 scholarship.

National Caring Award

Sponsored by the Caring Institute, this award recognizes five young adults who exhibit significant volunteer community service and commitment. The scholarships amount to $2,000 each.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

These awards honor middle- and high-school students for outstanding service to others at the local, state, and national level. State honorees receive $1,000 scholarships, and national honorees receive an additional $5,000 each and a $5,000 grant to the charity of their choice. Local honorees are also recognized with a certificate.

To learn more about applying for scholarships and performing community service, read:

What You Need to Know for a Successful Scholarship Season

Best Places for High Schoolers to Do Community Service

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  3. Community Service Essay

    community service essay scholarships

  4. How To Write A Community Service Essay

    community service essay scholarships

  5. How To Start A Community Service Essay

    community service essay scholarships

  6. Top 10 Community Service Scholarships

    community service essay scholarships

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  1. The Complete List of Community Service Scholarships

    This award is for minority and economically disadvantaged students who are studying art and design, and also have shown a commitment to community service. Basic scholarships are in the amount of $2,000-$3,750. There are also two additional awards of up to $5,000 and honorable mention prizes of $500 or $750.

  2. How to Win Community Service Scholarships · PrepScholar

    The exact qualities vary for each scholarship, but in general evaluators look for: Commitment to community service and bettering the lives of others. A deep interest in your volunteer work. Leadership experience. Work that had a strong positive impact on your community. Personal growth as a result of community service.

  3. Top 698 Community Service Scholarships in November 2024

    RECENT SCHOLARSHIPS360 WINNERS. Danielle Emretane. Winner of the Scholarships360 $10,000 “No EssayScholarship. Winner of the "Commencing at Community College" Scholarship. Winner of the “Commencing at Community College Scholarship”. Winner of the “Outstanding Undergraduate” Scholarship. Get Matched.

  4. 10 Awesome Scholarships for Community Service + Volunteering

    10 Community Service Scholarships. 1. DoSomething.org. Amount: Varies (in 2020, scholarships ranged from $500 to $5,000) Deadline: Varies by campaign. Eligibility: Citizens or residents of the U.S. or Canada age 25 or younger. Application Requirements: Complete the specific campaign and upload a picture of your work.

  5. Tips for Writing a Standout Community Service Essay - CollegeVine

    Tips for Writing Your Community Service Essay 1. Include anecdotes Anecdotes are a great way to begin your essay, not only as a way to grab your reader’s attention, but by launching right into the experience of your service activity. You can start with a line about a particularly busy afternoon at the orphanage, or a morning cleaning up the streets after a storm, or the sense of ...

  6. The Complete List of Community Service Scholarships - AP Guru

    1. Encourages Civic Engagement: Community service scholarships encourage young individuals to become active and engaged citizens. By participating in volunteer work and community service projects, students develop a sense of responsibility, empathy, and a commitment to social causes. ‍.

  7. How to Write a Great Community Service Essay · PrepScholar

    Step 1: Know the Essay Requirements. Before your start writing a single word, you should be familiar with the essay prompt. Each college or scholarship will have different requirements for their essay, so make sure you read these carefully and understand them. Specific things to pay attention to include:

  8. Community Service Scholarships

    The Barbara J. Penny Community Service Scholarship awards Minnesota State students for their lifelong community service commitments, recognizes students who have demonstrated a commitment to community service and promotes their growth as community leaders. Scholarship awards of $1,500 each are given out twice annually.

  9. 6 Great Community Service Scholarships - College Raptor

    Many different community service scholarships are available through the foundation’s opportunities, which include essay contests, shadowing prominent civic leaders, and tutoring fellow students. Past winners at the Do Something Awards include current CNN political commentator and civil rights activist Van Jones, who received a financial grant ...

  10. 12 Community Service Scholarships for Students Who Give Back

    The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. These awards honor middle- and high-school students for outstanding service to others at the local, state, and national level. State honorees receive $1,000 scholarships, and national honorees receive an additional $5,000 each and a $5,000 grant to the charity of their choice.