Scholarships for Community College Students
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- Community colleges can provide affordable degree programs and transferable degrees.
- Students must submit the FAFSA to determine their eligibility for financial aid.
- Community colleges cater to a diverse student body, including aspiring trade technicians.
- Many organizations offer scholarships specifically for community college students.
Many factors can affect a student's confidence in pursuing a college education, though cost remains the top concern. In 2023, roughly 70% of parents worried they would not be able to afford to pay for college, according to a survey by Discover Student Loans. Many students and their families then turn to community colleges for their affordability and their accelerated, career-focused degrees.
Reasons to Attend a Community College
Students might choose to attend a community college over a traditional four-year university for a variety of financial, academic, and practical reasons. Two-year colleges cost less, on average, than four-year colleges, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Some community colleges may also provide more diverse financial aid opportunities, including childcare, housing vouchers, and emergency grants. They may also hold classes at multiple campus locations.
Many community college programs are geared toward adult students and working professionals. According to an analysis by the Community College Research Center, nearly two-thirds of community college students work while enrolled, with 46% of community college students working full time.
Community College Scholarships
Niche No-Essay Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Applicants must be at least 18 years old or 13 years old with parental consent. Eligibility is open to rising high school graduates planning to enroll in college within 12 months or current college students.
Deadline: Oct. 31, 2024
Scholarship Amount: $2,000
Be Bold No-Essay Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: This merit-based scholarship is open to high school seniors and any GPA, state, education level, or major field of study.
Deadline: Jan. 2, 2024
Scholarship Amount: $25,000
DEWALT Trades Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Candidates must be rising high school graduates or current college students enrolling or enrolled full time in a two-year college or vocational school. Eligible fields of study include industrial, construction, motor/power, mechanics, or technology.
Deadline: Jan. 17, 2024
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Community College Transition Award
Who Is Eligible: The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) offers this scholarship to community college students transferring to a four-year program. Candidates must also hold a 3.0 GPA and NSCS membership.
Deadline: May 25, 2024
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Jack Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Applicants must be community college sophomores planning to transfer to a four-year university in the following year, with a minimum 3.5 GPA and unmet financial need, as demonstrated by submitting their tax returns' adjusted gross income for the past three years.
Deadline: Jan. 11, 2024
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Lockheed Martin Vocational Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Candidates must be high school seniors or recent high school graduates enrolling or enrolled in a community college or vocational program in an eligible field of study, including engineering, mechanics, advanced manufacturing, or computer and information sciences.
Deadline: Varies
Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000
Redefining Victory Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Candidates are evaluated for eligibility based on their academic merit and community involvement. Applicants may be enrolled in a community college or four-year university, majoring in their choice of fields.
Deadline: April 27, 2024
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
Frederick and Bernice Beretta Memorial Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Candidates must demonstrate financial need as high school or community college students. An essay may be required. Eligibility is open to California residents only.
Deadline: June 17, 2024
Scholarship Amount: $2,500
William A. Stuart Dream Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Eligibility includes high school or community college students enrolled in an engineering, mechanics, or computer software program. An application essay is required.
Deadline: March 30, 2024
Scholarship Amount: $2,000
Russell Koci Skilled Trade Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Applicants must be high school seniors or current trade school students enrolling or enrolled in a vocational major such as farming, construction, or electrical. An application essay is required.
Deadline: April 15, 2024
Scholarship Amount: $1,300
Community College Grants
Federal Work-Study Program
Who Is Eligible: Students with financial need — as demonstrated by their FAFSA — may be awarded federal work-study aid, which allows students to earn wages at a work-study-approved job, typically related to their major.
Deadline: June 30, 2024 (FAFSA)
Grant Amount: Varies
Federal Pell Grant Program
Who Is Eligible: Pell Grants fund the majority of federal financial aid for college students who can demonstrate a financial need according to their FAFSA.
Deadline: June 30, 2024 (FAFSA)
Grant Amount: Varies
TEACH Grant Program
Who Is Eligible: TEACH grants go to students who agree to complete a teaching service obligation after graduation. Candidates must qualify for federal aid and be enrolled in a TEACH-Grant-eligible program. Teachers who do not fulfill the terms of the grant must repay it as a loan with interest.
Deadline: June 30, 2024 (FAFSA)
Grant Amount: Up to $4,000 per year
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Program
Who Is Eligible: FSEOGs are awarded through individual colleges on a first-come, first-served basis for students who have remaining unmet financial need after receiving federal financial aid. Eligible candidates must submit the FAFSA and be enrolled in a FSEOG-participating school.
Deadline: June 30, 2024 (FAFSA)
Grant Amount: $100-$4,000 per year
Iran-Afghanistan Service Grant Program
Who Is Eligible: This grant serves students whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. military and died as a result of duties performed after 9/11 in Iraq or Afghanistan. Candidates must be ineligible for a Pell Grant based on family income but meet all other Pell Grant criteria. They must also be under 24 years old and enrolled in college at the time of their parent's or guardian's death.
Deadline: June 30, 2024 (FAFSA)
Grant Amount: Varies
Additional Financial Resources
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid: The FAFSA uses your family's or your income and tax status to determine your eligibility for financial aid through the U.S. Department of Education. Submitting the FAFSA as early as possible is key to maximizing your federal aid. It is also required for many other grants and scholarships.
- State Education Agencies: Your state education agency may offer additional resources for rising high school graduates and college enrollees, including regional and state-funded scholarships, tuition-assistance programs, and statewide professional development tools.
- U.S. Department of Education: Explore the many financial aid resources available through the U.S. Department of Education to FAFSA applicants, including the federal work-study program, TEACH grants, and university-funded FSEOGs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Community College
Can you get a full ride to community college?
While some schools and other sources may advertise "full ride" options, earning a free college education through a single scholarship is rare, even for the most qualified students. However, some states offer free community college. Also, you may combine multiple scholarships and other types of aid to lower the cost of college as much as possible.
You may be eligible for both need-based and merit-based scholarships to cover the majority of your tuition costs, with financial aid through grants and resources like the federal work-study program to help with educational supplies and living expenses.
What are the benefits of attending a community college?
Community colleges offer students the opportunity to explore different career options, typically at a lower cost than a four-year university. You can enroll in basic foundation courses before deciding on a major or earn an associate degree and transfer to a bachelor's program.
Many community colleges also offer vocational programs for students wishing to earn a certificate in a trade or technical career, such as carpentry, information technology, HVAC technicians, cosmetology, and the culinary arts.
What are the disadvantages of attending a community college?
A community college may not meet the needs of a student seeking the typical university experience. While community colleges can offer perks — including an affordable education and flexible class schedules — they may lack other elements of a traditional university, like Greek life, varsity athletics, and on-campus housing.
You may also need to look beyond community college for certain specialized programs. For example, your local community college might offer programs in career trades like cosmetology and medical technology but require you to transfer to a four-year university to earn a degree in something like law or financial technology (fintech).
