If you volunteer in your community, you could be eligible for significant scholarship money for college. Many foundations and organizations are looking for students with a record of service in their community. Here is a list of some community service scholarships that are available.
13 community service scholarships
1. DoSomething.org easy scholarships
2. AXA Achievement Scholarship
3. Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
4. Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
5. Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
6. Bonner Leader Program
7. Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship
8. Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program
9. Princeton Prize in Race Relations
10. GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program
11. Young Women in Public Affairs Award
12. Brower Youth Awards
13. Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
Also: Browse community service scholarships on local, national level
1. DoSomething.org easy scholarships
If you’re 25 or younger, you can earn a significant scholarship from DoSomething.org by completing one of its campaigns. You could make a card for a service member or draw a superhero to inspire students, among other things.
After you complete an easy scholarship campaign (you can enter multiple), you’ll need to upload a picture. DoSomething.org will choose a winner — or winners — for each campaign through a random drawing. Typically, the winner will be announced three to four weeks after the campaign closes.
Late 2019 and early 2020 campaigns were awarded between $500 and $5,000 in scholarship money.
2. AXA Achievement Scholarship
The AXA Foundation awards more than $1.4 million annually in community service scholarships to students throughout the country.
AXA Achievement Scholarship winners must demonstrate outstanding achievement in their communities. Students, who must be high school seniors, can earn scholarships worth $2,500, $10,000 or $25,000. The winners’ schools also earn a $1,000 grant.
3. Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes goes to young leaders between ages 8 and 18 who have made an impact in their communities.
Recent winners have:
- Raised money to protect mountain gorillas
- Founded nonprofits to fight climate change
- Taught computer programming skills to children in shelters
Each year, 25 winners receive $10,000 scholarships for community service.
4. Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
If you complete an approved term of service in certain AmeriCorps programs, you could be eligible for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award.
The AmeriCorps programs that make you eligible include:
- AmeriCorps NCCC
- AmeriCorps State and National
- AmeriCorps VISTA (cash option also available)
Award winners can earn up to the maximum amount of a Pell Grant, which is $6,195 in 2019-20. The award can be used to pay for educational expenses or to repay certain loans — with some restrictions.
5. Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
Since 1995, the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program has recognized more than 130,000 students for their community service.
Here is the breakdown of awards based on the type of scholarship honoree:
- State honoree: $1,000 scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
- National honoree: $5,000 scholarship and a $5,000 grant to donate to a nonprofit charity of their choice
Applicants must be in grades five through 12. The award also honors youth volunteers in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ireland, India, China and Brazil.
6. Bonner Leader Program
The Bonner Leader Program is an immersive four-year program that provides scholarships and work-study to students. Beyond scholarship money, you’ll gain access to trainings on leadership and social justice.
For more specifics, apply directly through one of the program’s campus partners. For example, Averett University in Danville, Va., offers a $1,200 annual stipend.
Of note, there is also the Bonner Scholar Program. Students with financial need are expected to commit 10 hours a week — 140 hours a semester — to community service, along with 280 hours in the summer. Those who participate receive financial aid support.
7. Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship
Since 2001, Comcast has awarded more than $33 million in community service scholarships to about 30,000 students.
Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship winners — who must be in high school — earn a one-time $2,500 scholarship, though there is the possibility for additional awards.
The Comcast award considers applicants for their academic performance, community service and leadership skills.
8. Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program
The Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program honors students 21 or younger who have volunteered for at least 100 hours at a Veterans Affairs medical facility.
Volunteer scholarships are awarded in the following amounts: $5,000, $7,500, $10,000 and $15,000. One applicant will receive a top scholarship of $20,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) National Convention.
9. Princeton Prize in Race Relations
The Princeton Prize in Race Relations recognizes students who have made positive impacts on race relations in their schools or communities. Applicants must be enrolled in high school and will need to be sponsored for the award, whether that is through a teacher, advisor or community leader, among others.
Recipients receive a $1,000 scholarship and paid travel to attend the university’s annual Symposium on Race.
10. GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program
The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program provides students with scholarships for volunteering and community service.
It looks for high school seniors — students on U.S. Armed Forces bases or those being home-schooled are also eligible — who demonstrate “exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship.”
Winners receive $10,000 a year (up to $40,000 total), which they can put toward tuition, fees, books, supplies or room and board.
11. Young Women in Public Affairs Award
The Zonta International Foundation has awarded more than 900 scholarships to more than 750 women since 1990.
Women ages 16 to 19 in eligible Zonta districts and regions (or who are citizens of a Zonta country) are eligible for the Young Women in Public Affairs Award. Here is a further breakdown of the awards:
- District recipients receive $1,500
- 10 international recipients (selected from among the district recipients) receive an additional $4,000
Recipients must exhibit a record of leadership achievements.
12. Brower Youth Awards
If you’re committed to protecting the environment, you could win a Brower Youth Award.
These scholarships go to those between ages 13 and 22. Six winners each receive a $3,000 prize, along with a professionally produced short film about their work and a week-long trip in the San Francisco Bay Area.
13. Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund awards students who are actively working toward social justice.
Winners are chosen for their social activism and demonstrated financial need. Scholarships vary in amount, but the maximum award is $15,000.
Browse community service scholarships on local, national level
This list of scholarships for community service is a good start, but you can find even more grants on both the local and national level. Browse scholarship search engines for additional opportunities, and ask your school counselor or Rotary Club about local options.
Not only could your commitment to community service help make the world a better place, but it could help you pay for college.
Sarah Sharkey contributed to this report
Need a student loan?
Here are our top student loan lenders of 2021!| Lender | Variable APR | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1.04% – 11.98%1 | Undergraduate, Graduate, and Parents | |
 | 1.25% – 11.35%*,2 | Undergraduate, Graduate, and Parents | |
 | 1.05% – 11.44%3 | Undergraduate and Graduate | |
 | 3.84% – 9.40%4 | Undergraduate and Graduate | |
 | 1.24% – 11.99%5 | Undergraduate and Graduate | |
 | 1.78% – 11.89%6 | Undergraduate and Graduate | |
 | 1.21% – 11.53%7 | Undergraduate and Graduate | |
 | 2.46% – 12.98%8 | Undergraduate and Graduate | |
| * The Sallie Mae partner referenced is not the creditor for these loans and is compensated by Sallie Mae for the referral of Smart Option Student Loan customers. 1 Important Disclosures for College Ave. CollegeAve DisclosuresCollege Ave Student Loans products are made available through either Firstrust Bank, member FDIC or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply. Rates shown are for the College Ave Undergraduate Loan product and include autopay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. Variable rates may increase after consummation. Information advertised valid as of 12/14/2020. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Lowest advertised rates require selection of full principal and interest payments with the shortest available loan term. 2 Sallie Mae Disclaimer: Click here for important information. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. 3 Important Disclosures for Earnest. Earnest Disclosures
4 Important Disclosures for CommonBond. CommonBond DisclosuresOffered terms are subject to change and state law restriction. Loans are offered by CommonBond Lending, LLC (NMLS # 1175900), NMLS Consumer Access. If you are approved for a loan, the interest rate offered will depend on your credit profile, your application, the loan term selected and will be within the ranges of rates shown. If you choose to complete an application, we will conduct a hard credit pull, which may affect your credit score. All Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) displayed assume borrowers enroll in auto pay and account for the 0.25% reduction in interest rate. All variable rates are based on a 1-month LIBOR assumption of 0.15% effective Jan 1, 2021 and may increase after consummation. 5 Important Disclosures for Discover. Discover Disclosures
6 Important Disclosures for SoFi. sofiDisclosuresUNDERGRADUATE LOANS: Fixed rates from 4.23% to 11.26% annual percentage rate (“APR”) (with autopay), variable rates from 1.88% to 11.66% APR (with autopay). GRADUATE LOANS: Fixed rates from 4.13% to 11.37% APR (with autopay), variable rates from 1.78% to 11.73% APR (with autopay). MBA AND LAW SCHOOL LOANS: Fixed rates from 4.30% to 11.52% APR (with autopay), variable rates from 1.95% to 11.89% APR (with autopay). PARENT LOANS: Fixed rates from 4.60% to 10.76% APR (with autopay), variable rates from 1.88% to 11.16% APR (with autopay). For variable rate loans, the variable interest rate is derived from the one-month LIBOR rate plus a margin and your APR may increase after origination if the LIBOR increases. Changes in the one-month LIBOR rate may cause your monthly payment to increase or decrease. Interest rates for variable rate loans are capped at 13.95%, unless required to be lower to comply with applicable law. Lowest rates are reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. If approved for a loan, the interest rate offered will depend on your creditworthiness, the repayment option you select, the term and amount of the loan and other factors, and will be within the ranges of rates listed above. The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. Information current as of 11/04/2020. Enrolling in autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi. SoFi Lending Corp., licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Financing Law License No. 6054612. NMLS #1121636 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). 7 Important Disclosures for Citizens Bank. Citizens Bank DisclosuresUndergraduate Rate Disclosure: Variable interest rates range from 1.21% – 11.53% (1.21% – 11.53% APR). Fixed interest rates range from 3.99% – 11.80% (3.99% – 10.92% APR). Graduate Rate Disclosure: Variable interest rates range from 1.39% – 11.43% (1.39% – 11.14% APR). Fixed interest rates range from 4.39% – 11.70% (4.39%-11.39% APR). Business/Law Rate Disclosure: Variable interest rates range from 1.39% – 8.37% (1.39% – 8.07% APR). Fixed interest rates range from 4.13% – 9.84% (4.13% – 9.12% APR). Medical/Dental Rate Disclosure: Variable interest rates range from 1.39% – 8.37% (1.39% – 8.07% APR). Fixed interest rates range from 4.03% – 8.64% (4.03% – 8.34% APR). Parent Loan Rate Disclosure: Variable interest rates range from 2.13% – 7.44% (2.13%-7.44% APR). Fixed interest rates range from 4.69% – 7.83% (4.69% – 7.83% APR). Bar Study Rate Disclosure: Variable interest rates range from 4.49% – 9.63% (4.49% – 9.56% APR). Fixed interest rates range from 7.39% – 12.94% (7.39% – 12.82% APR). Medical Residency Rate Disclosure: Variable interest rates range from 3.58% – 7.08% (3.58% – 6.80% APR). Fixed interest rates range from 6.99% – 10.49% (6.97% – 10.08% APR). Variable Rate Disclosure: Variable Rates are based on the one-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) published in The Wall Street Journal on the twenty-fifth day, or the next business day, of the Fixed Rate Disclosure: Fixed rate ranges are based on applicable terms, level of degree, and presence of a co-signer. Lowest Rate Disclosure: Lowest rates require a 5-year repayment term, immediate repayment, a graduate degree (where applicable), and include our Loyalty and Automatic Payment discounts of 0.25 percentage points each, as outlined in the Loyalty Discount and Automatic Payment Discount disclosures. Rates are subject to additional terms and conditions, and are subject to change at any time without notice. Such changes will only apply to applications taken after the effective date of change. Federal Loan vs. Private Loan Benefits: Some federal student loans include unique benefits that the borrower may not receive with a private student loan, some of which we do not offer. Borrowers should carefully review federal benefits, especially if they work in public service, are in the military, are considering possible loan forgiveness options, are currently on or considering income based repayment options or are concerned about a steady source of future income and would want to lower their payments at some time in the future. When the borrower refinances, they waive any current and potential future benefits of their federal loans. For more information about federal student loan benefits and federal loan consolidation, visit http://studentaid.ed.gov/. We also have several resources available to help the borrower make a decision on our website including Should I Refinance My Student Loans? and our FAQs. Should I Refinance My Student Loans? includes a comparison of federal and private student loan benefits that we encourage the borrower to review. Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen with a creditworthy U.S. citizen or permanent resident co-signer. For applicants who have not attained the age of majority in their state of residence, a co-signer is required. Citizens Bank reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. Citizens Bank private student loans are subject to credit qualification, completion of a loan application/Promissory Note, verification of application information, and if applicable, self-certification form, school certification of the loan amount, and student’s enrollment at a Citizens Bank participating school. Loyalty Discount Disclosure: The borrower will be eligible for a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction on their loan if the borrower or their co-signer (if applicable) has a qualifying account in existence with us at the time the borrower and their co-signer (if applicable) have submitted a completed application authorizing us to review their credit request for the loan. The following are qualifying accounts: any checking account, savings account, money market account, certificate of deposit, automobile loan, home equity loan, home equity line of credit, mortgage, credit card account, or other student loans owned by Citizens Bank, N.A. Please note, our checking and savings account options are only available in the following states: CT, DE, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, and VT and some products may have an associated cost. This discount will be reflected in the interest rate disclosed in the Loan Approval Disclosure that will be provided to the borrower once the loan is approved. Limit of one Loyalty Discount per loan and discount will not be applied to prior loans. The Loyalty Discount will remain in effect for the life of the loan. Automatic Payment Discount Disclosure: Borrowers will be eligible to receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate reduction on their student loans owned by Citizens Bank, N.A. during such time as payments are required to be made and our loan servicer is authorized to automatically deduct payments each month from any bank account the borrower designates. Discount is not available when payments are not due, such as during forbearance. If our loan servicer is unable to successfully withdraw the automatic deductions from the designated account three or more times within any 12-month period, the borrower will no longer be eligible for this discount. 7 Important Disclosures for Ascent. Ascent DisclosuresAscent Student Loans are funded by Richland State Bank (RSB), Member FDIC. Loan products December not be available in certain jurisdictions. Certain restrictions, limitations; and terms and conditions December apply. For Ascent Terms and Conditions please visit: www.AscentStudentLoans.com/Ts&Cs Rates are effective as of 12/01/2020 and reflect an automatic payment discount of 0.25% on the lowest offered rate and a 2.00% discount on the highest offered rate. Automatic Payment Discount is available if the borrower is enrolled in automatic payments from their personal checking account and the amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. For Ascent rates and repayment examples please visit: www.AscentStudentLoans.com/Rates 1% Cash Back Graduation Reward subject to terms and conditions. Click here for details. | |||
