Top 25 Schol­ar­ships for Community College Students

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You may be brought here by the question: Can you get a scholarship to a community college? There are so many moving parts associated with attending college.  There is of course the key ingredient of finding a program that meets your academic and professional goals, getting accepted, and of course paying for the whole endeavor. Institutions of higher learning generally have an arsenal of financial aid opportunities but don’t limit yourself to what is offered through the school that you choose. Of course, take them up on what they have to work with, but you should always look beyond. There are a variety of options to consider beyond the scope of the institution’s offerings. This includes scholarships that are merit based, identity focused, oriented towards a particular discipline and so forth. 

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Well, can you get scholarships for community college? We have come up with a list for you consisting of scholarships that might make funding your community college education more doable. There are a vast array of offerings with many different focal points. Some are offered through big corporation partnerships while others are geared towards gender equity, and others emphasize disciplines such as tech. This list is an expansive reminder that funding your education can be done with a creative approach and the money can come from a variety of sources. Finding a scholarship that is tailored towards your needs will help you cut down on ultimate loan debt. The offerings are for a variety of amounts. While $500 might not seem like a lot in the grand scheme of things, every little bit makes a difference. Good luck on your journey. 

1

American Association for Women in Community Colleges - National Board Scholarship

This is another great option as far as scholarships for community colleges go. The American Association for Women in Community College is dedicated to supporting women students who want to make an impact for other women in the community college system. As far as community college scholarships go this is a great opportunity. Applicants for this particular scholarship will write a personal statement that discusses all of their contributions to women’s issues within the campus community. This can include clubs, actions, event planning, among others. Applicants will also address the financial needs. There is a place on the application where students will discuss any civic engagement for which they have participated, including service-learning.

The American Association for Women in Community College was established in 1974. It was designed to support women to achieve within the community college environment. They have many offerings including career development support and advancement opportunities for faculty and students in community colleges. They have many chapters on campuses around the country. Their commitment to equity is paramount to their mission and subsequent work. 

Award
$500
Deadline
May 21

2

AWIS Opportunity Scholarships for Career Re-entry

AWIS stands for Advancing Women in Science, which pretty much sums up the mission of the organization. Each year, they will award scholarships to women in STEM, who already have a bachelor’s degree, and want to return to a related career. This scholarship is supposed to be used for expenses associated with returning to achieving what is necessary to re-enter into the field. This program is particularly considering women who have been out of work in the field for at least two years. The funds can be used for such things as job search expenses, care for children and family, technology needs, and other associated start up fees. Each award will be in the amount of $2,500. 

AWIS, or Advancing Women in Science, was developed to close the gender gap in STEM. It is a network with a global reach that inspires bold leadership, innovation, and research, with goals to create systemic change. Their organization is built on an intersectional approach that exlicitly brings together innovation and advocacy. They have a wide range of membership and networking opportunities. 

Award
$2,500
Deadline
May 10

3

Cappex Easy Money Scholarship

Cappex Easy Money Scholarship offers $1,000 scholarship opportunities for students who are already enrolled in either a college or high school program or intend to be in the next twelve month period. This is a great opportunity for community college scholarships. The deal with this scholarship is they want students to self determine why they are the ones who deserve this scholarship opportunity. The application requires you to write a brief explanation of your findings in this arena. They have rolling application deadlines that are the last day of every month, so rest assured if you missed the last one. They are not renewable, but they offer new awards each month.

Cappex is a distinguished college resource. They are a web based service that helps students find programs that meet their needs as well as subsequent funding opportunities. They have a whole host of resources and tools to support students to effectively search many topics related to college acceptance, programming and funding. 

Award
$1,000
Deadline
Varies

4

Career & Technical Scholarship - Horatio Alger Association

The Horatio Alger Association offers 500 different scholarship opportunities through their Career and Technical Scholarship Program. This is a great community college scholarships opportunity. Prospective scholarship recipients must have graduated from high school prior to applying. They must also be already enrolled in an academic program for the fall of 2021. In the application, one must demonstrate a commitment to go after a two year technical or career program. They must also be interested in considering what it means to overcome adversity. Applicants must be under the age of 30 and be a citizen of the United States. 

The Horatio Alger Association is an organization that is committed to celebrating the achievements of those who have overcome adversity or are on a journey to do so. They want to support those who have faced obstacles to succeed in higher education. In total, they have offered students over $193 million in scholarship funding. 

Award
$2,500
Deadline
Rolling

5

Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team - Phi Theta Kappa

The Coca Cola Leaders of Promise offers a Phi Theta Kappa honors society scholarship program that is offered to select members while they are attending community college. This scholarship for community college opportunities is awarded based on applications. This is the first scholarship program that is offered for this over 100-year-old organization. They offer up to 200 stipend-based scholarships to a variety of students engaged in their organization. They have a four-tier award amount: New Century Gold Scholars, Bronze Scholars, and Silver Scholars. 

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation offers scholarships to support over 1,400 college students per year through three programs that are recognized. Their programming supports high school seniors through those who are already undergoing their college education and looking for some extra support. In addition to scholarships, they offer how-to programs that include a scholarship workshop and what is called a scholarship academy. This is something that supports students to consider scholarships that would be appropriately tailored to their unique needs and experiences. 

Award
$1000-$1500
Deadline
Varies

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6

Completing the Dream Scholarship Program - Sallie Mae

Completing the Dream Scholarship, offered by Sallie Mae, was designed to support students who are from backgrounds that are historically underserved and minorities. This scholarship is explicitly to offer such populations funding for academic opportunities that would otherwise not be available to them. Applicants who are in their last year of college have an opportunity to receive $2,500 to be applied to the final year of their post secondary education. The goal of the funding is to help students get what they need for completion. 

This scholarship fund is a partnership between Sallie Mae and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The Thurgood Marshall College fund was created in 1987 and is known for being the biggest organization to explicitly place their mission on supporting the black community. Not only do they offer scholarships for community college, but they have a host of other services and awards. There are many schools that are members of this organization, including HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities). 

Award
$2,500
Deadline
March

7

Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship - Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is a competitive award directed towards the highest achieving college students in the country. Applicants must be working towards a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university. The award is designed to cover the majority of the expenses associated with being a student including tuition, books, living expenses, among others. Prospective students are able to pursue any area of study that interests them. The award also offers them personal advising related to choosing a college and looking into financial aid options as well as how to transfer to a four-year school easily. 

Not only does The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation offer scholarships for community college, but they are known for being benevolent support for college students. They were started in the year 2000 and have since awarded over 2,800 scholarships for community colleges, which includes over $222 million worth of award money. Their mission is dedicated to supporting college students, who have financial need, to excel in higher education. 

Award
Up to $40,000
Deadline
January

8

Darrel Hess Community College Geography Scholarship - American Association of Geographers

Darrel Hess Community College Geography Scholarship is offered by the American Association of Geographers. It was expressly designed for students who are enrolled in a community college, city college, or junior college at the time of their application. The goal of the scholarship is to support community college students who are pursuing the discipline of geography with the intention of transferring to a four-year program in the academic year to come. Students will be selected based on their entire application package including financial need, academic promise, and academic track record. 

The American Association of Geographers (AAG) was established in 1904 as an educational society and scientific nonprofit organization. They have an international membership base that includes people from 100 countries. Their mission is to contribute to the expansion and advancement of the discipline of geography. Their members include geographers and other professionals, many of which work in the academic sector. 

Award
$1,500
Deadline
December 31

9

Full Circle Scholarship - American Indian College Fund

The Full Circle Scholarship is offered through the American Indian College Fund. This scholarship was designed to provide support for Alaska Native and American Indian college students who are pursuing undergraduate, technical and graduate degrees at accredited schools, nonprofits and tribal colleges. Applicants are eligible to apply for the award if they are a US citizen that is a member of a federally recognized tribe. They must have a 2.0 GPA to qualify and be enrolled in an academic program with full time status. Students will be required to show proof of tribal affiliation. 

The mission of the Native American College fun is not only offer scholarships for community college, but to transform the lives of Native American students by investing in their education and futures. They were established in 1989 and has since become the biggest charitable organization in the country that is dedicated to supporting access to higher education for native american students. 

Award
Varies
Deadline
May 31

10

GEICO Pathway to Completion Associate Degree Scholarship - Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

The GEICO Pathway to completion associate degree scholarship is offered in partnership with the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. This scholarship opportunity will be granted to two Phi Theta Kappa members each year. It is designed to offer an award to someone who has offered leadership to their campus community. Those who have held office at the regional, chapter, or international level are especially encouraged to apply. Applicants must be currently enrolled in an associate’s degree program for the Fall term that follows their Spring application deadline. Each scholarship will be in the amount of $1,000. 

The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society was established over 100 years ago. They support students in a number of ways to find academic and ultimate career success by giving them opportunities to develop leadership and professional skills. They offer a lot of networking opportunities on top of scholarship programming.

Award
$1,000
Deadline
Spring

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11

Golden LEAF Scholarship Program - NC Community Colleges

The Golden LEAF Scholarship program is offered through North Carolina Community Colleges. Each recipient will be awarded $2,250 for each of two school years. Applicants must be enrolled in a North Carolina Community College, be a resident of a county that is rural, tobacco dependent, or economically depressed, and demonstrate financial need. Some other factors they look for when choosing award recipients include: community service and campus activities, impact from the declining economy, owners of farming businesses, loss of employment for a member of the family. 

The College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is a free offering from North Carolina State. It is a distinct collaboration between a number of statewide systems including The North Carolina Community College System, The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, as well as the University of North Carolina System. Their goal is to promote academic success among college students in the state of North Carolina. 

Award
$2,250
Deadline
Rolling

12

Guistwhite Scholarship - Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

The Guistwhite Scholarship through the Phil Theta Kappa Honor Society was designed to support students who have exhibited campus wide leadership and accomplishments related to academic achievement while working towards their bachelor’s degree. Eligible students must be currently enrolled in a minimum of six semester credit hours or nine quarter credit hours. They must be active Phi Theta Kappa students who are in good standing. Applicants must have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA from the last five years of any college coursework in order to apply. They must have also already completed at least 45 college level semester credit hours. Applicants must also have the intention of transferring to a regionally accredited four year college in the coming Fall. 

The Guistwhite Scholarship program was designed by Phi Theta Kappa honorary members, husband and wife, Dr. Jack Guistwhite and Margaret Guistwhite. They developed this program expressly to support students who want to transfer from community and junior colleges to four year institutions of higher learning. 

Award
Varies
Deadline
Spring

13

Hites Transfer Scholarship - Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

The Hites Transfer Scholarship program, like a couple of scholarships for community college, is offered through the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. The mission of this unique award is to offer financial support to students who have shown exemplary academic achievement as well as community service, community activities, and a record of leadership. Students in this program must be actively enrolled in at least 6 semester credit hours and nine quarter credit hours. Applicants must be good standing Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Members. Applicants must have also completed at least 45 college-level semester hours. 

The Hites Transfer Scholarship program is funded by an endowment that was created in 2010. It emerged from a matching grant offered by the Hites Family Community College Scholarship Fund. The goal of this fund was to expand the opportunities for community college transfer students. 

Award
Varies
Deadline
Spring

14

HSF Scholar - Hispanic Scholarship Fund

The HSF or HIspanic Scholarship Fund is a comprehensive resource for students who are of hispanic decent. On top of a wide array of other opportunities that they offer their members, they provide students with over $30,000 in scholarship funds every year. Students can apply for scholarships that range between $500 and $5,000. In order to be a HSF scholar, you must be a graduating high school senior or an undergraduate student (of any year), a community college student that is transferring to a four year university, or a graduate student, which includes law school, MBA, medical school, among other masters and phd programs. 

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund was created in 1975. They were created with the intention to empower hispanic parents and children to pursue and succeed in higher education. They do this by offering a variety of opportunities, including networking opportunities with community leaders, that are not only monetary.

Award
$500-$5000
Deadline
February

15

Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund

The Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund was created to support adult women to return to school. They offer scholarship opportunities expressly for women who are 35 and above and low income, who want to pursue a post secondary education. Applicants must be citizens of the United States or permanent residents and in pursuit of an associate’s, bachelor’s vocational, or technical degree. Each applicant will provide a personal statement that lays out their specific goals, how they plan to achieve their goals, and how they will eventually give back to their communities once they achieve their education. 

The Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund offers support and scholarship opportunities for low income adult women over the age of 35. Their goal is to empower non-traditional women students. They are invested in non-discrimination for self identified women and do not judge according to race, creed, sexual orientation and gender expression. 

Award
Varies
Deadline
Varies

16

Legacy Scholarship - American Legion

The Legacy Scholarship offered through the American Legion is a scholarship that is specifically designed to support higher education opportunities for students who come from post 9/11 veterans who either died in active duty or have a 50 or above combined disability rating. In order to apply for the scholarship, students must be high school seniors or already be accepted to or attending post-secondary. Students are required to be enrolled in an accredited institution for higher learning. Students can be awarded up to $20,000 to go towards their education. 

The American Legion is an organization that was designed to support and enhance overall wellness for veterans and their families. They believe in patriotic and American values, which to them is partially defined by upholding the United States Constitution. The majority of their work is to honor and support the contributions of veterans. 

Award
Up to $20,000
Deadline
April 15

17

Maricopa Community College District Scholarships

The Maricopa Community College District community college scholarships are varied offerings for students attending community college in the Maricopa community college district. In order to qualify for any of the scholarships listed, and there are several, applicants must complete the FAFSA form as well as the Maricopa Community Scholarship application form. Applicants must also prove lawful presence. In addition, the Maricopa community College District offers a list of additional privately funded scholarship opportunities. The scholarships appear to range anywhere from $500 to $2000. 

The Maricopa Community College District is made up of 10 different colleges, enabling students to choose the campus that would be most convenient for them. They are known for having excellent transfer opportunities for those who are interested in making the leap from community college to a four year institution of higher learning. They pride themselves on offering affordable tuition to their students, as well as having a myriad of financial aid opportunities. 

Award
Varies
Deadline
Varies

18

National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation

The National Restaraunt Association Education Foundation is offering hundreds of scholarships for students who are pursuing degree programs that relate to the restaurant industry. Their scholarships offer a wide range of support from $2500 to $10,000. In total, they have given out over 2,000 scholarships. The scholarship funds are for one year only and are non-transferable. The funds will be allocated in equal amounts per term of that academic year. Recipients of the scholarship will be required to use the award money for tuition, books, and room and board. Recipients must remain in good academic standing. 

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation was established in 1987 as a way to support students who are interested in entering the restaurant and hospitality industries. They are not only known for offering scholarship opportunities, but they also support people to achieve certifications and apprenticeships. 

Award
$2500-$10,000
Deadline
March

19

Niche Community College Scholarships

Niche Community College Scholarships are open to all prospective and current community college students. These community college scholarships include all two year schools as well as technical and junior college. Students must be eighteen years or older to qualify and also be a legal resident of the United States or citizen. The award is $500 and can be used towards books, tuition, or any other education related expenses. The winner will be determined by a random drawing, though they will ensure that the recipient is qualified. 

Niche is an online leader in school searches. They are a resource for students and perspective students to search for schools and academic data. They have a wide range of data scientists that are constantly updating data sets and creating related rankings, profiles that are in depth, and report cards. They also pride themselves on offering extensive reviews from real people who want to share their experiences. 

Award
$500
Deadline
Dec 31

20

PHCC Educational Foundation Scholarships

PHCC stands for Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association and they offer 56 unique scholarships adding up to over $150,000 per year. They have a number of industry partners that support community college scholarships. They encourage contractors to have their appearances apply even if the apprenticeships pay for training. Students can apply to all of the scholarships offered with one application. The scholarship amounts have a monetary range. Many of which are $2,500 and go up to $10,000. Applicants should be working towards a field of study that is directly related to the plumbing heating and cooling industry. 

The Plumbing Heating and Cooling Contractors Association offers opportunities that are in service of supporting the next generation of skilled trades professionals in the industries that relate specifically to their disciplines. They were established in 1883 and have since created a framework for the apprenticeship programs that are being utilized today. 

Award
Varies
Deadline
Varies

21

Scholarships360 No Essay Scholarship

The Scholarship 360 No Essay Scholarship was created to simply support students to have some extra support while attending post secondary. All students are eligible to apply to this opportunity including high school students, community college students, college students, graduate students, and transfer students. The only thing applicants are required to do to be eligible for the scholarship is sign up for scholarships360. After signing up, students will receive personalized scholarship support and advice on a weekly basis. The scholarship amount will always be $500. Applicants will be assessed on their engagement with the newsletter, so it’s important that students keep up with emails and remain subscribed. 

Scholarship360 is an organization made up of a team of parents, educators, and students who are committed to supporting opportunities to reduce the cost to achieve an education. Their primary offering is a regular scholarship newsletter with no spam. Scholarships recommendations are matched to meet the needs of the student profiles. 

Award
$500
Deadline
June 30

22

State Employees' Credit Union Foundation "People Helping People" Scholarship - Community College Program

The State Employees Credit Union Foundation offers a scholarship called “People Helping People” Scholarship Community College Program. These community college scholarships are for eligible applicants. They must be citizens of the United States and residents of North Carolina. Applicants must also be enrolled in a diploma program, certificate program, or associate’s degree program. They must also have a 2.5 GPA or above or achieve a 3,000 or more on a GED test. The deadline for this award is rolling and the amount of the scholarship is $5,000. 

The People Helping People Scholarship Community College Program was established in 2005. They started this program to support students in the state of North Carolina to achieve success in their chosen academic fields. They have given over 5 million dollars in scholarships per year and 71 million since the organization began. They have a high school scholarship program and a community college scholarship program. 

Award
$5,000
Deadline
Rolling

23

Susan T. Buffett Foundation Scholarships (Nebraska only)

The Susan T. Buffett Foundation Scholarships offer a variety of scholarship opportunities for students who are residents of the state of Nebraska. DACA and undocumented students are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants must have a minimum of a 2.0 GPA that is cumulative and unweighted. They are required to be first-time freshmen when entering college. They must have every intention of attending a public Nebraska Community College or a school within the Nebraska State College System. They must also exhibit financial need, academic merit, provide recommendations, and write a personal essay. 

The Susan T. Buffett Foundation has been granting Nebraska-based community college scholarships for the last 50 years. They also offer a scholars program called Buffet Scholars that also serves students in the state of Nebraska. They offer a number of other resources that are designed to support students to thrive in the state of Nebraska. 

Award
Varies
Deadline
February

24

Tau Sigma National Honor Society Scholarships

The Tau Sigma National Honor Society offers community college Scholarships that are granted to exemplary students who are chapter members. The application process is supported by chapter advisors. Advisors are responsible for notifying students of deadlines and selection criteria, as well as nominating candidates to represent the chapter. The local advisor is also the one who will determine all of the electric submission deadlines. Chapters with over 100 members can nominate up to two members for the scholarship. 

Tau Sigma National Honor Society has the primary goal of recognizing transfer students. They have chapters at a variety of four year institutions of higher learning across the country. Students that are members of the organization must be enrolled as full time students. There are lifetime dues that students pay one time. They were incorporated as a nonprofit in the year 1999. They have over 175 chapters in the country. 

Award
Varies
Deadline
Varies

25

Women’s Independence Scholarship Program

The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program is designed for women students who are survivors of intimate partner abuse. In order to qualify, they must have been separated from their male abuser for a minimum of one year, but under seven years. This is on the list of community college scholarships that make a difference. They are determined to support vulnerable women to succeed. Applicants must first have been officially accepted into a United States post-secondary institution. Their first priority is helping support the education of single mothers with current dependents. 

The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program started out as the Sunshine Lady Foundation. They first opened their doors in 1999. Their mission is centered around offering complex support to women who are survivors of partner abuse. They aim to give members support that includes access to education, financial stability, and career training that can ultimately lead to a living wage. 

Award
Varies
Deadline
Varies

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