Applying for scholarships can be a frustrating process all in itself, but looking to apply for scholarships geared toward community college students can be flat out maddening! Sometimes it can feel as though all the scholarships out there are for students recently graduating high school, or for those planning to attend a four year institution. Do you ever find yourself saying, “Hey, what about me?!” Well, you are not alone, and rest assured, there are opportunities out there for you too! Here are some helpful places to start.
Nationwide Scholarships
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund – offers opportunities for current college students and community college transfer students who plan to enroll in a college or university the following year. All applicants must be of Hispanic/Latino descent.
- Jeanette Rankin Foundation – offers scholarships for low-income women over the age of 35 who are pursuing an associate’s degree, vocational program or first bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution.
- The Pearson Prize for Higher Education – The Pearson Foundation works to recognize students who are giving back to their local communities. The student must be attending a two-or four-year institution, has completed at least one year of college, and demonstrates leadership in community service.
- Tylenol Scholarships – Every year, Tylenol gives away thousands of scholarship dollars to students who are studying health professions.
Local Colorado Scholarships
- Kristi Visocky Memorial Scholarship – For female students with interest in community college, vocational school, technical school or trade school. Must demonstrate financial need and be between the ages of high school and 30 years old.
- Philo – Philomatheon Club Scholarship – Philo supports scholarships for Loveland or Berthoud residents who have been accepted into a 2-year, or less, technical/vocational degree/certificate program for the upcoming academic year. The student must demonstrate financial need and strong motivation to complete their program.
Transfer Scholarships
- Jack Kent Cooke Foundation – offers competitive scholarships to 7th grade students, undergraduates and graduate students who demonstrate high academic merit and financial need. Undergraduate students who are transferring from community colleges to 4-year institutions can be awarded up to $30,000 per year to finish their studies.
- Contact the Financial Aid Department of the four year institution you are planning to transfer to once you have completed your courses at community college. They will be able to provide you with specific information, and scholarships, for transfer students at that institution.
Organizations and Unique Opportunities
Another great place for community college students to look is with a club or an organization that concentrates on your hobbies or interests. Many of these groups work to provide scholarship opportunities for their members. Extracurricular involvement also helps to build your resume, and gives you real life examples to write about in your scholarship essays. For instance, do you have good grades? Consider checking out Phi Theta Kappa membership.
Looking for unique scholarships can cut down on large application pools. There are scholarships out there for special talents, physical characteristics, degree programs, and even having the Best Belly Flop. Scholarship search engines like fastweb.com or scholarships.com will break down scholarships by category, year in college, and help find other “unique” scholarship opportunities for you.
Be Creative!
Hopefully these tips will spark other creative ideas in you to look for scholarships. The point is, you are not alone, and there is something out there for everyone. Please note, while some of these opportunities may have passed their deadline for the current academic year, there is always next year!
