Niche $25,000 No Essay Scholarship
Cara Goldstone Image Written By: Cara Goldstone | Edited By: Kevin Ladd | Updated: June 1, 2026

Community Service Scholarships

Key takeaways:

  • Volunteer service, which decreased with the onset of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, has seen a huge resurgence among young people in the past 2 years.
  • Students involved in community service and volunteer initiatives can win scholarships based on their involvement.
  • There is no universal volunteer hour amount of age requirement to apply; any student can win community service scholarships.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, between the years of 2022 and 2023, more than 28% of Americans age 16 and over participated in formal volunteer service. If you are one of those volunteers, you can win scholarship awards for your efforts— and if you aren’t, it isn’t too late to start. Learn more about community service scholarships with the information and list below.

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The 25 Best Community Service Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines in 2026

  • 1

  • Hearts for Community Service

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineJune 30, 2026

The Hearts for Community Service Scholarship awards $5,000 annually to student residents from specific Warrick Dunn Charities, Inc. markets who volunteer in their communities. The scholarship supports students enrolled in post-secondary institutions and encourages continued community service and educational advancement. Applications open from June 1st to June 30th, with winners announced in

  • 2

  • Patina Network Community Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineJuly 14, 2026

The Patina Network Community Scholarship Program aims to empower and support Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) women and allies. Scholarship Details Supports AANHPI women and allies in New York State Open to undergraduate, trade school, and university students Focus on academic potential, financial need, and community engagement Eligibility

  • 3

  • WWF Conservation Leadership Award

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineJuly 31, 2026

This award recognizes and supports youth leaders making exceptional contributions to environmental conservation in their communities. From climate change mitigation and biodiversity protection to environmental justice and food waste reduction, it honors young changemakers whose projects are actively protecting our planet. Winners will receive $5,000 to support their academic or professional

  • 4

  • National Parent Volunteer Association Scholarships

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineSeptember 30, 2026

Each year NPVA offers merit-based scholarships for students who are committed to volunteering and making a difference in their communities. Our scholarships are open to students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees. Scholarship Details Open to students pursuing undergrad or grad degrees at accredited U.S. colleges or universities. Merit-based, with a focus on community

  • 5

  • Good Tidings Community Service Scholarship

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineNovember 3, 2026

The Good Tidings Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) children's charity, is dedicated to uplifting marginalized children in the Bay Area. Our mission is to create spaces for athletics, artistic activities, education, and wonder, offering opportunities for growth that transcend financial status, ethnic origin, or religion. The $10,000 scholarship check will be dispersed evenly over the course of 4

  • 6

  • Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program

  • Amount$3,000
  • DeadlineDecember 8, 2026

The Red Cross Collegiate Leadership Program begins with a fun filled and energetic two weeks of training, mentoring and networking that will help you develop your leadership skills, discover your purpose, and prepare for your bright future. And that’s just the beginning: you’ll return to campus with a life-saving mission of organizing Red Cross blood drives for your classmates and

  • 7

  • George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineDecember 31, 2026

The George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarship was established by the 1999 Oklahoma Legislature to provide scholarship opportunities to outstanding students who are preparing for careers in public service. Scholarship Details Annual scholarship award of $1,000 Awarded to one student nominee per year from each participating Oklahoma college or university Non-renewable,

  • 8

  • Samuel Huntington Public Service Award

  • Amount$30,000
  • DeadlineJanuary 9, 2027

The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award provides $30,000 stipends to graduating college seniors to pursue public service anywhere in the world. The Award allows recipients to engage in a meaningful public service activity for one year before proceeding on to graduate school or a career. Past award recipients have won an unsolicited, prestigious McArthur “genius” grant; been named U. S. Surgeon

  • 9

  • Kiwanis Children’s Fund Key Club Scholarship

  • Amount$2,460
  • DeadlineFebruary 1, 2027

The Kiwanis Children’s Fund Scholarship is made possible by donations made in memory of J. Walker Field, David W. Hancock, Harry S. Himmel, Andrew Reardon, Stephen A. Sapaugh, Florence Skomba and Robert Thal. These donations were made to provide one scholarship opportunity to a deserving member in good standing of Key Club International. Applicants must be Indiana residents graduating high

  • 10

  • Linda Canaday Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount$3,215
  • DeadlineFebruary 1, 2027

The Linda Canaday Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Kiwanis member Linda Canaday, wife of 2008-09 Kiwanis International President Don Canaday. The scholarship is awarded to one applicant and honors Linda’s love of children, which she demonstrated through her career as a teacher and her committed and caring compassion for children through Kiwanis. Indiana residents graduating

  • 11

  • Patricia J. Adkins Youth Leadership Award

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineFebruary 9, 2027

The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples, Patricia J. Adkins Youth Leadership Award will be given to honor the achievements of greater Collier County high school seniors demonstrating leadership in their activities at their respective congregation and/or BBYO youth group. They will be recognized for their successful balancing of Jewish leadership, high school academics, athletics and clubs and

  • 12

  • Rotary Community Service Awards

  • Amount$1,500
  • DeadlineFebruary 17, 2027

In an equitable society, everyone, regardless of the circumstance of birth or upbringing, is treated justly and fairly by its institutions and systems. The mission of the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation is to unite community members to mobilize resources to advance a racially just society and equitable outcomes for residents of Oak Park, River Forest and surrounding communities. The

  • 13

  • Clarence "Big House" Gaines Reynolda Rotary Scholarship

  • Amount$20,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 27, 2027

The Reynolda Rotary College Assistance honors the life and legacy of Coach Clarence “Big House” Gaines, Sr. Coach Gaines was a motivator, encourager, and positive life-changing influence in hundreds of young people’s lives in Winston-Salem. The award is given to a graduating high school senior from Forsyth County planning to attend Forsyth Tech or Winston-Salem State University. Applicants must

  • 14

  • JLR Outstanding Community Service Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMarch 3, 2027

Each year, the Junior League of Rockford awards a scholarship worth $1,000 to a female high school senior with a history of volunteer involvement in the Rockford, Illinois area. Scholarship Details Merit-based Awarded in person as a check Includes an essay Eligibility Criteria Female High school senior Record of volunteering or community service

  • 15

  • Student Civic Leadership Awards

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMarch 6, 2027

The Student Civic Leadership Awards recognize outstanding student leaders at Washington Campus Coalition member campuses for their work in civic engagement and social entrepreneurship. All students enrolled in Washington Campus Coalition’s member institutions are eligible, so long as they are doing civic engagement work or social entrepreneurship. Both graduate and undergraduate students may be

  • 16

  • BAFTX Susan Howard Community Service Award

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineMarch 31, 2027

The purpose of the Susan Howard Community Service Award is to honor and reward academically adept students from low income families in Texas or Great Britain who have demonstrated initiative and leadership skills through their dedication to benefiting their community. In memory of Susan Howard, Founder of the British American Foundation of Texas, this award honors young adults who have shown

  • 17

  • Barbara J. Penny Community Service Scholarship

  • Amount$1,500
  • DeadlineApril 1, 2027

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. Applicants must be enrolled at a Minnesota State college or university for at

  • 18

  • Timothy J. Penny State & Federal Public Service Fellowship

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineApril 1, 2027

The purpose of the Timothy J. Penny State Public Service Fellowship is to provide Minnesota State students with the financial opportunity to grow as public servants through participation in state or local government internships. Two state fellowships and two federal fellowships will be given out to students for legislative internships or an internship in Minnesota at a state agency. Applicants

  • 19

  • Don & Roy Splawn Charitable Foundation West Scholarship

  • Amount$2,750
  • DeadlineApril 18, 2027

The Don and Roy Splawn Charitable Foundation West Scholarship Grant Program is open to financially disadvantaged students who wish to further their pursuit of post-secondary education; whether it be of an academic or vocational nature. Our goal is to minimally assist and provide a spark of meritorial acknowledgement in the form of monetary funds upon high school graduation and shepherd these

  • 20

  • Massachusetts Public Service Grant Program

  • AmountFull-Tuition
  • DeadlineMay 1, 2027

The Massachusetts Public Service Grant was established for students who have experienced the loss of a parent and/or spouse who is killed or missing in the line of public service duty in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Applicants must be permanent legal residents of Massachusetts for one year prior to the start of the academic year for which the scholarship is granted, be United States

  • 21

  • Words of Comfort Ministries Scholarships

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMay 15, 2027

Words of Comfort Ministries (WOC) awards a variety of $1,000 scholarships to community service-oriented high school seniors every year. There are standard scholarships and ROTC-specific scholarships available. Scholarship Details Merit-based Both ROTC and non-ROTC students may apply Multiple winners per year Eligibility Criteria High school senior

  • 22

  • LGBTQ+ Youth Leadership Awards

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineMay 17, 2027

SMYAL’s scholarships recognize outstanding and unapologetic LGBTQ+ student leaders who have demonstrated personal growth and a commitment to creating change in their school or community. Founded in 2015, SMYAL’s LGBTQ+ Youth Leadership Awards (YLA) provide a total of up to $30,000 to 5-8 student leaders each year. YLA winners receive up to $5,000 each for their extraordinary leadership and

What is a community service scholarship?

A community service scholarship is a kind of financial aid award offered to students based on their involvement in volunteering, organization, public action, and other kinds of community service. These scholarships may be solely merit-based, or they may be judged with additional consideration to applicants’ financial need. Regardless, if a scholarship’s primary requirement is a student’s participation in public service initiatives, it falls into this category.

Scholarships in this group may have different guidelines as to the types of community service involvement applicants must demonstrate. For instance, some community service scholarships may be politically-driven, encouraging students to participate in local legislature and activism, while others may take a humanitarian approach, recognizing students based on their efforts as volunteers for charities.

Where to find the best community service scholarships

No matter what type of community service you participate in, there are scholarships out there for you. The best way to find these scholarships is by creating a free account on Scholarships.com. This is because Scholarships.com uses your demographics and interests to automatically match you with specific scholarships that fit your personal profile.

In the case of students looking for community service scholarships, that specificity is crucial. There are countless kinds of community service scholarships out there for all types of volunteer involvement; Scholarships.com can search and find the best ones for you in just 5 minutes. For instance, if you volunteer at an animal shelter, Scholarships.com will find scholarships specifically based on your animal care experience, while students whose volunteer work is primarily in public policy will be matched with policymaking scholarships.

How to apply for community service scholarships

With a Scholarships.com account, it’s easy to apply for community service scholarships. Once you have your scholarship matches, you just need to click on them to read a full list of eligibility criteria, details, and a step-by-step application guide. You can even sort your scholarship matches to prioritize the order in which you apply.

Every scholarship has different requirements; the documents you need to submit with your application may vary among community service scholarships. To keep your application process organized, be sure to maintain an updated record of your public service and volunteer involvement for reference when you apply. Also keep a list of the contact information of leaders and mentors with whom you have worked so that you can ask them for letters of recommendation.

Frequently asked questions about community service scholarships:

What are the best community service scholarships for high school seniors?

Because every student is different, the best scholarship for any particular individual will vary based on their unique life circumstances and needs. For this reason, there is no community service scholarship universally known as the best for high school seniors; rather, the best scholarship for any senior will be the one they have the highest chance of winning.

Generally, the best way to maximize your odds of winning scholarships is to find those with the narrowest eligibility criteria for which you can apply. For instance, the JLR Outstanding Community Service Scholarship is only available to female high school seniors in the Rockford, Illinois area; because its qualifications are so specific, those who apply have a high chance to win.

Can younger students win community service scholarships?

There are scholarships for every kind of student, including those who are not yet seniors in high school. That means that as long as you have a history of community service involvement, you can win community service scholarships no matter your age; you just need to find ones open to younger students, which Scholarships.com can do for you when you create an account.

For instance, high school students of any age can apply for the Princeton Prize in Race Relations (PPRR), a $2,500 award for students committed to public service in the field of racial equality. Once applicants have an adult sponsor to recommend them for the award, they just need to submit a written record of their community service endeavors to apply. Students in grade levels as early as freshman year of high school can apply for this award.

Are there community service scholarships for current college students?

Just as there are community service scholarships for students younger than the typical high school senior, there are also community service scholarships for older students, including those currently enrolled in college or even graduate school. Any student with a record of volunteer participation can win scholarships for their efforts.

The National Parent Volunteer Association (NPVA), for example, awards scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students who are dedicated to volunteering in their communities. These awards are completely merit-based. Students simply need to submit academic transcripts, proof of college enrollment, and brief essays about their public service to apply.

Can you win scholarships for religious volunteering?

One of the most common ways students get involved with community service is through their religious practice. If you have worked as a volunteer with your local church, temple, or other religious institution, you are likely eligible to apply for related scholarships. There are community service scholarships for students of all religions.

The Words of Comfort (WOC) Ministries scholarships, for instance, are awarded with specific consideration to religious community service. African American high school seniors who reside in Georgia and exemplify Christian leadership in their public service efforts can win up to $1,000; applicants planning to participate in ROTC programs are encouraged to apply within the WOC ROTC scholarship division, but the general WOC awards are open to all students regardless of ROTC involvement.

How many volunteer hours do you need to have to win community service scholarships?

Organizations like the National Honor Society often measure a student’s commitment to community service with the number of hours they have logged participating in community service initiatives. For this reason, it’s important to keep track of the hours you spend volunteering so that you can reference the number when you apply to scholarships.

Though it’s good to strive to volunteer as much as you can, you don’t always need to have an extremely large number of volunteer hours in order to apply for and win community service scholarships. For example, the Good Tidings Community Service Scholarship, worth $10,000 for high school seniors in the Bay Area, has a minimum requirement of just 2 to 4 volunteer hours. Check with the scholarship providers of all volunteer-based scholarships for which you apply to find out exactly how many hours are expected of you in order to win.