Individuals who are committed to serving their communities could see improved financial aid prospects when they choose to enroll in campus-based or online colleges, as many groups have launched programs that are intended to reward student volunteers.
From small community-based initiatives to large corporations, a number of organizations are selecting philanthropic individuals for their financial aid programs.
MetroPCS Communications, for example, recently announced the winners of its 2010 Community Scholars Program, which disbursed awards ranging between $2,500 and $25,000 per student. The scholarships are intended to encourage individuals to participate in volunteer activities that benefit their communities, according to company officials.
Students who decide to volunteer could reap a wide variety of benefits when they choose to apply to a college degree program. While they may put themselves in the running for similar financial aid opportunities, these students could also gain valuable experiences that could enhance their chances of getting into the campus-based or online school of their dreams.
Furthermore, community service could help some students realize their career goals, as they could choose to apply their work to a college degree program in fields such as public policy or nonprofit management.
June 16, 2010
i already have some hours from high school, would those count?
June 19, 2010
great way to get people involved and active in helping their community great post
June 20, 2010
If I have worked in community service in my town to repay a minor law suit, is that consider a valid reason to get financial aid?
June 22, 2010
What is the going rate for online school? Can community service pay for all of it?
June 22, 2010
Will the community service hours I racked up in high school count?
June 22, 2010
My mom has always been very active in charities. I have always helped with whatever she was working on and was recognized for it. Does that count toward community service?
June 25, 2010
I have always volunteered in my community. Does this mean I am eligible for more financial aid?
June 27, 2010
I have been a volunteer since I was 12 years old at the local boy’s club. Does this count as community service and how do I use it to help get financial aid?
July 2, 2010
i hope i can use the community service hours i accumulated in high school!
July 4, 2010
you help out the community while earning money for school; everybody wins!
July 6, 2010
i want to go to this college here in my area but its not listed on ur page. the college is called San Juan College n Farmington.. i really would like to become an x ray tech. but i have to take liberal arts at SJC and travel to webber state university to attend two days of classes.. OMG i need help…
July 8, 2010
how much scholarship money can you earn this way?
July 9, 2010
i can’t wait to get started!
July 14, 2010
My mom volunteers for many charities even though she works. Can this help her get financial aid for school?
July 14, 2010
My son will be very excited to see this, seeing as he has loads of community service hours under his belt! Where do I find out how many hours he needs to qualify for the scholarships?
July 14, 2010
I’ve already accumulated a bunch of community service hours. Is it possible to apply them?
July 15, 2010
Where can I go to register my community service hours?
July 17, 2010
I have doing a lot of community service and volunteering at a preschool program at the YMCA. Does this help with financial aid?
July 20, 2010
Where can I go to sign up for community service and have my hours registered?
July 25, 2010
If I do volunteer work over the summer before I will graduate and continue to volunteer, would I be eligible for this scholarship?
September 13, 2010
I’ve completed many hours of community service in high school, is there a list of colleges that offer scholarships based on service?
November 28, 2010
I have been volunteering at the local hospital pediatrics for the last 10 years, will that help me with my financal aid?
November 28, 2010
Does doing volunteer work with the girl scouts count?
December 22, 2010
This is so great to find out. I have a brother who is downs syndrome and I have been doing volunteer work for about 6 years at the local special school he attends. How do I find out about the scholarships?
January 12, 2011
I am a high school teacher. I think this is a good idea and then high school students should be aware of this and that the schools should be promoting this to their students so that they will do volunteer work and put themselves in line for scholarships.
January 12, 2011
This is a good scholarship. I have been trying to encourage my kids to do volunteer work and this is a great incentive.
January 12, 2011
I am currently in high school and I work in the special ed program and help out with shadowing a boy who is autistic. Does this count as volunteer work?
January 12, 2011
Hi Jaden, scholarship stipends can vary but as the blog states Metro PCS has a great scholarship available worth up to $25,000. There are other scholarships available based on community service, check out our free guide to grants and scholarships..
January 13, 2011
Hey Sally. Yes, any form of volunteering and community service can help her get financial aid.
January 13, 2011
Hey John. You can check out our grants and scholarships guide to find several scholarships based on community service.
January 14, 2011
Hey Juan. Yes, having community service hours is a great asset to scholarship applications.
January 18, 2011
Hey Emma. Yes, volunteering and community service is great for financial aid applications. There are scholarships specifically for those with community service hours, some scholarships are also merit-based so they look at your academic records and out-of-school activities.
January 19, 2011
Hi Matteo, your community service hours can be logged through the organization you volunteer for.
January 19, 2011
Hey Kayla. Community service availability depends on your area. You can try local Boys and Girls clubs, libraries, YMCA and other non-profit organizations. Some companies may also be looking for volunteers due to massive layoffs. The organization you volunteer with can register your hours.
January 20, 2011
Hey Sheila. You must be a high school senior to be eligible, check back with Metro PCS to get more info about this year’s scholarships as the 2010 scholarship has closed.
March 29, 2011
Hello Marcy. If you can get your hours documented as volunteer hours than you’ll be able to use the hours towards applying for various community service scholarships. The definition of what counts as volunteer hours varies, some may see your hours as community service while others may not.
May 3, 2011
Hi Carl. There are many scholarships available for students who volunteer and do community service. Check out Education Connection’s financial aid page to learn more and find a listing of grants and scholarships available.
July 8, 2011
Hey Wendy. Different scholarships will have different criteria of what they count as “community service”. I would check the eligibility and rules and regulations of the scholarship you plan on applying to first.
July 8, 2011
Hello Robert. Volunteering is a great way to earn a scholarship! Look for scholarships that are specifically geared towards those who do community service. Good luck!
July 20, 2011
Hi Barry. Unfortunately we do not have a list of colleges that offer scholarships based on community service, however, if you go to the EC financial aid page you can find a listing of scholarship and grant opportunities. Some of these scholarships are based on community service. Good luck!
November 30, 2011
How do I make sure that my service hours are applied to my scholarship fund?
November 30, 2011
Can I choose which charity I work for. or are there certain one that sponsor this scholarship?
November 30, 2011
I am still in high school, can I start accumulating my hours now?
November 30, 2011
Do you need to enroll in this program before you start volunteering, or do you wait until after you have started volunteering?
December 29, 2011
Hey Bob. There are many different scholarship opportunities that ask that students have some community service hours, whether you’re in high school or college. Search for scholarships that require community service hours and apply for ones that you think are right for you.
December 29, 2011
Hi Norma. There are many different scholarship opportunities that ask that students have some community service hours, you’ll need to search for what scholarships are right for you, whether they be for a specific charity or not.
January 20, 2012
Hi Anna. A majority of scholarships will ask applicants if they are involved in community service and could require you to show proof of service. You’ll need to check each individual scholarships for their eligibility rules and regulations.
January 31, 2012
My daughter has been volunteering at the local homeless shelter and I was wondering how she would use these hours for a scholarship.
January 31, 2012
I have been going with my mom to serve food and help out at the local food pantry, can I use those hours for credit?
January 31, 2012
Hi Sheelagh. Please check with the local food pantry you volunteer at to see if they can provide you with paperwork documenting your community service hours.
January 31, 2012
Hi Marian. Many scholarships are available for students who volunteer, try websites such as Fastweb or resources at your daughter’s school to see what kind of scholarships may be available for her.