• Apply to multiple scholarships throughout the year.
• Start applications early to avoid missing deadlines.
• Maintain strong grades and participate in extracurricular activities.
• Volunteer regularly and pursue leadership opportunities.
• Request letters of recommendation well in advance of application deadlines.
• Search for scholarships at the local, state, and national levels to maximize available opportunities.
• Review eligibility requirements and application instructions carefully before applying.
• Keep a record of your volunteer experience, leadership roles, awards, and community impact to strengthen your applications.

Strong Scholarship Combinations

The following scholarship search websites can help students identify funding opportunities based on their academic achievements, interests, volunteer experience, and community service. Many of these resources allow students to create a profile and receive personalized scholarship matches, making it easier to find awards that align with their qualifications.

• Fastweb (www.fastweb.com) – Matches students with scholarships based on their profile, including opportunities that recognize volunteerism and community service.
• FinAid (www.finaid.org) – Provides comprehensive information on financial aid, including scholarships for students with volunteer and community service experience.
• Scholarships.com (www.scholarships.com) – Offers a searchable database of scholarships, including awards that recognize leadership, civic engagement, and community service.

Students who are involved in volunteering and community service should ask whether the organization where they perform their community service offers scholarships. It is possible that such organizations, whether hospitals and nursing homes, veterans groups, religious institutions, fraternal organizations or other community service organizations, may provide scholarships to recognize outstanding community service.

Similarly, colleges and universities often offer scholarships for volunteerism. Be sure to inquire of any schools you are interested in.

• The Bonner Scholars Program, which is located at numerous colleges and universities, allows students with demonstrated financial need to participate in community service as their work-study opportunity.


• The Bonner Scholar Program supports individuals who otherwise could not afford to attend college because of financial need. In return for the financial support, the Bonner Scholars are expected to engage in 10 hours a week of community service during the school year (140 hours per semester) and 280 hours in the summer.


• The Bonner Leader Program supports individuals interested in serving throughout their college experience. Bonner Leaders receive financial aid directly from their institution in the form of a scholarship and/or work-study.

Each of the following programs is part of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Participants who complete their terms of service receive an education award and other benefits.

www.Americorps.gov

• AmeriCorps State and National offers thousands of opportunities for youth to serve with local and national non-profit organizations and public agencies that help address needs in the areas of education, health, the environment, disaster services, veterans and economic opportunity. AmeriCorps members must be at least 17 years of age.


• The New Jersey Commission on National and Community Service, within the New Jersey Department of State, administers the State’s AmeriCorps program.


• AmeriCorps VISTA members serve with community-based organizations to help bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Participants must be at least 18 years of age, have a college degree or a minimum of three years of work or volunteer experience.
• AmeriCorps NCCC focuses on disaster preparedness and relief as well as other urgent community needs. NCCC builds teams of volunteers that are deployed to specific project sites. Participants serve full-time for 10 months and must be between 18 and 24 years of age.

The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students who are involved in their school, serve their communities, and demonstrate leadership skills. Your high school principal or guidance counselor must nominate you for this scholarship. Reach out to the appropriate people at your school to explore this.

The Disabled American Veterans Jesse Brown Scholarship recognizes individuals who are dedicated to serving veterans and have volunteered at least 100 hours.

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors young leaders who are between the ages of 8 and 18 who have “made a significant positive difference to people and our environment.”

The Heart of America Christopher Reeve Award is presented each year to a young person who has demonstrated “tremendous courage, compassion and caring in serving his or her community.”

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards was created in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) to honor students in grades 5 through 12 for outstanding service to others at the local, state, and national level.