Top Community Service Scholarships of 2018

One of the most challenging parts of heading off to college or university is paying for tuition. However, there are a number of scholarships, awards and grants for students to help offset and cover those costs, many of which are service focused.

You’ve done work in the community through volunteering in school, now you can use those hours to your advantage. Students who are involved in community service should look into service scholarships that reward volunteerism. If you’re a student, we encourage you to check out the volunteer-centric scholarship opportunities below. If you’re a school administrator or family member to a high school or college students, please share the opportunities and encourage them to apply!

Students can also leverage their Official Service Transcript™ when applying for financial assistance. The Official Service Transcript™ is an official record that shares students' service hours and reflections that were logged into x2VOL. 

LULAC National Scholarship Fund General Awards

This award is for students who display motivation, sincerity, and community involvement. Multiple awards between $250 and $2,000 are given. LNESC and LULAC established the LULAC National Scholarship Fund (LNSF) to help youth in underserved communities make the dream of college enrollment a reality. Former recipients of LNSF scholarships are now leaders in fields of business, science, government, and education.  A rigorous selection process assures the expectation that future recipients will demonstrate the same level of excellence.

Gloria Barron Scholarship for Young Heroes

In honor of an outstanding woman who devoted more than 20 years of her life to working at the Colorado School for the Blind, the Gloria Barron Scholarship for Young Heroes is granted to 25 inspiring public-spirited young leaders between the ages of 8 and 18 who have made a significant positive difference to their communities and our environment. Winners of the $5,000 scholarship will receive a certificate of recognition, signed copy of “The Hero’s Trail,” and the opportunity to be paired with an adult mentor who is working in the winner’s area of interest.

Jesse Brown Scholarships

The Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship program honors young volunteers who are dedicated to serving veterans. Each year, one outstanding application receives the top scholarship in the amount of $20,000 to help fund their higher education. In addition, the top winner and parent receives an expense paid trip to DAV National Convention to receive the award and be recognized for their dedication and commitment to veterans. Additional scholarships are awarded in the amounts of $15,000, $10,000, $7,500 and $5,000.

DoSomething.org Volunteer Scholarships

Take action with DoSomething.org to make social change! By signing up for one of their featured campaigns, you’ll not only be doing good, but you could even win a scholarship – which means money to pay for school.

Great Value Colleges Community Service Scholarship

Great Value Colleges is of the belief that community service and volunteerism has a positive affect on students and can enhance the college experience in a number of ways. Therefore, every year they award $1,500 to students who have enhanced their educations through community service.

Brower Youth Awards

The Brower Youth Awards recognize young leaders between the ages of 13 and 22 passionate about environmental change. Winners receive a $3,000 prize, along with a professionally produced short film about their work. Winners will also spend a week camping with mentors and peers in the San Francisco Bay Area.

National Honor Society Scholarship Program

While the 2018 scholarship application is already closed, keep an eye out for the 2019 application openening later this year. These awards are for high school students who are members of NHS. Each chapter may nominate two students based on character, scholarship, leadership, and service. 200 state finalists get $1,000; 53 state winners receive an additional $500 for a total of $1500; 9 regional winners receive an additional $1500 for a total of $3000; and one national winner receives an additional $10,000 for a total of $13,000.

Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship

The 2018 scholarship application is closed, but be sure to keep an eye out for next year's application opening later this year. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarships are open to US high school seniors who have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. A total of 250 scholarships are awarded each year, with 50 National Scholars receiving $20,000 scholarships and 200 Regional Scholars receiving $10,000 scholarships. (The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation also awards 50 $2,000 scholarships and 350 $1,000 scholarships to outstanding community colleges student.) Recipients are selected based on leadership, character, civic and extracurricular activities, academic excellence, and community service. This is an extremely competitive program with more than 100,000 applications received each year. The application deadline is in late October or early November. For more information, call 1-800-306-3653.