Group of people wearing blue volunteer shirts and sorting through donation boxes

5 Great Scholarship Opportunities for Acts of Kindness and Service

There are tons of scholarships out there that reward students for being kind and getting involved in their communities. Here are five you can apply for!

There are a variety of unique scholarship opportunities available every year for students. A large portion of these scholarships reward students for the dedication and care they’ve shown toward others and their communities. These awards can be found on general scholarship websites and may be offered by local businesses, national associations, and other organizations. Here are just a few scholarships we’ve found for acts of kindness that you could (and should!) apply for this year.

1. Leaders Save Lives Scholarship

Did you know that someone in the US is in need of blood every two seconds? The Leaders Save Lives Scholarship Program asks students to host drives and encourage people to donate blood for cancer patients, burn victims, and so many others who need it. If your blood drive successfully collects 25 pints or more, you’ll earn a gift card and also be entered for a chance to win a scholarship.

Sponsor: American Red Cross
Amount: Up to $2,500
Eligibility: Open to students in high school, college (community and four-year), and technical/trade school
Deadline: June 1–August 31 (for Summer Program); December 15–January 15 (for Winter Program)

Related: How to Find Scholarships in Hidden Places

2. Spirit of Giving Scholarship

To encourage more acts of kindness, service, and giving, the Spirit of Giving Scholarship asks students to submit an essay that focuses on community service. You’re free to write about how you’ve served or been served by others in the past, or how your college or post-secondary education will help you serve others in the future.

Sponsor: Wine Country Gift Baskets
Amount: $1,000
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors and students at four-year universities, community colleges, institutes of technology, and accredited credential or certificate programs
Deadline: July 31

3. Healthy Communities Scholarship

The Healthy Communities Scholarship aims to help students who are passionate about local health initiatives and community development. Applicants must include a personal statement describing how they’ve helped their community grow and improve with examples of previous contributions, such as promoting various health practices, proposing the use of sustainable resources, and other measures that have given rise to healthier communities.

Sponsor: Virginia Law Firm
Amount: $1,000
Eligibility: Open to students enrolled in community/junior college, undergraduate, and graduate programs as well as high school graduates or GED holders planning to start college-level studies
Deadline: May 31

Related: Our Best Advice on Finding and Applying for Scholarships

4. Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes awards “public-spirited young people”—including elementary and middle school students! Individuals must be currently leading (or have led within the past year) an inspiring service project that’s created a positive impact on their community. Certain characteristics should be easily identified in your application, such as selflessness and devotion to your work. 

Sponsor: Young Heroes Project
Amount: $10,000
Eligibility: Open to individuals between the ages of 8–18
Deadline: April 15

5. Good Lawyers/Good People Scholarship

The Good Lawyers/Good People Scholarship was created for students who want to improve the world and achieve justice through law. The application requires either a video or personal statement that expands on how implementing the law can change the lives of individuals for the better. You can discuss an event in the past you may have observed or been a part of, or you can even share what you would like do for change in the future. 

Sponsor: Simeone & Miller LLP
Amount: $1,000
Eligibility: Open to law school students and currently enrolled or accepted undergraduates
Deadline: July 1 (for fall) and November 1 (for spring)

Related: Smart Strategies for Scholarships With Multiple Deadlines

These are just a few of the many scholarships that are offered for service-oriented students. Before applying to any of these opportunities, be sure to read the scholarship terms carefully and make note of all the requirements. Good luck! 

There are plenty more scholarships where these came from! Keep finding free money for college with our Scholarship Search tool.

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Tags:
financial aid money for college paying for college scholarship opportunities scholarships

About Lianna Jacob

Lianna Jacob is an undergraduate student who has gone through the college admission process and wants to share her experience with others! She enjoys learning more about her Christian faith and spending time with family and friends.

 

 

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress
Rose Kearsley

Rose Kearsley

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress has seriously helped me out a lot, especially when it comes to scholarships and studying for tests like the ACT. I also really love the financial help. It’s a little harder to pay because I live with a family of eight, so any help is appreciated. Thanks for this opportunity!

Victoria

Victoria

High School Class of 2019

CollegeXpress has helped me by opening my eyes to new opportunities. I learned about such easy ways to get financial help to achieve my dreams while also learning about myself and who I truly am. I know this isn't a very long explanation of what CollegeXpress has done for me, but nonetheless, I believe it's crucial to how I developed as a person throughout my time as a college student.

Khush

Khush

High School Class of 2021

CollegeXpress is a multi-maneuver platform that has been helping students in their college applications and scholarship hunt process. For me, CollegeXpress has been a boon. I've been able to find my dream university via CX, and I've also been able to apply to thousands of scholarships through it. All the thanks to CollegeXpress for doing such a great job for free. I express my sincere gratitude to you for doing such a wonderful job. I recommend CollegeXpress without any reservations.

Makiyah Murray

Makiyah Murray

High School Class of 2021

The college application process has been a stressful one, but CollegeXpress has eased some of that stress with its readily available college resources. At the beginning of the process, I frequently used the college search feature, and now that I’m almost done applying, I’ve started using the scholarship search. Both of these resources have made it easier to find relevant information.

Maria  Fernanda

Maria Fernanda

High School Class of 2023

CollegeXpress is always telling you with time to spare when to apply for certain scholarships, what they require, and if you’re eligible or not. They also provide helpful tips for both incoming college students and current college students, such as what to absolutely have in your dorm.

College Matches
X

Colleges You May Be Interested In

Marymount University

Arlington, VA

SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica and Albany, NY