Environmental Community Service Enhances Eligibility for College Scholarships

Sure, grades play a role in the type of college scholarships your child qualifies for. But a growing number of college scholarships seek individuals who have accomplished success both in and outside the classroom. A number of the environmental college scholarships available are for students who have demonstrated leadership qualities, volunteered frequently or have a desire to pursue an environmental career.

Unfortunately, learning about volunteer and community service requirements when your child is applying for college scholarships is often too late to accomplish the volunteer requirements outlined, making many kids ineligible. The perfect time to start searching for environmental community service scholarships is when your child is in middle school or starting high school. Take the time now to review and understand the scholarships requirements so your child has time to gain the experience necessary to successfully land college scholarships to help pay for college.

College Scholarships Available for Students Interested in Environmental Studies

Siemens offers a "We Can Change the World Challenge" where teams of two to four individuals can compete for cash prizes that go towards college scholarships for every member of the team. Teams are challenged to find an energy-related issue impacting their local community or world and develop a practical solution to the problem. Cash awards in the form of scholarships are provided for teams placing first, second and third place. The challenge is open annually from August through March.

Children as young as 8 years of age can apply for the Action for Nature Young Eco-Hero Award. Winners win cash prizes that can be used to pay for college and other prizes as well as national recognition. To be eligible, applicants must have developed and implemented an original environmental action project. Action for Nature believes children have the power to change the world. Visit the actionfornature.org website for additional information.

Annie's Homegrown Natural and Organic Foods offers college scholarships totaling $75,000 to students interested in pursuing a career focused on sustainable agriculture. Their Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship application deadline is late-October. Winners are notified in the following spring. As part of the application, students are asked to their sustainable agriculture experience and how it relates to their future goals in the area. They're also asked to describe how they think their work will impact the Earth and others.

Students that plan to purse an environmental career and live in Alabama can apply for the Legacy Scholarship. The college scholarship program offers $1,500 towards undergraduate studies. Legacy, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental education. As part of the application process, applicants are asked to describe their environmental educational and career objectives.

For high school students planning to pursue a career in urban forestry or arboriculture, there is a John Wright Memorial Scholarship offered by TREE Fund (treefund.org). To apply students must have a minimum 3.0 G.P.A., leadership experience and show a history of being involved in a variety of work, school and community activities.

The American Water Works Association offers a Black & Veatch: Building a World of Difference Scholarship of $5,000 for students planning to obtain a degree in the water industry. Applicants must provide a written essay outlining the reasons why they are uniquely qualified to provide leadership in the drinking water industry.

Students who achieve academically and in their community can also apply for the AXA Foundation scholarships. College scholarships range in amount and seek out driven individuals who have shown success at setting and reaching goals and have made contributions to their community. Previous college scholarship winners have won community service scholarships by setting up and running a local food bank or establishing a new community service organization designed to help young people get involved in their community.

Don't forget to search for environmental college scholarships offered by local businesses, non-profit groups and corporations. Many offer college scholarships to students committed to making a difference within their community.

Sources:

Action for Nature - actionfornature.org

TREE Fund Scholarships - http://www.treefund.org/scholarships.htm

Legacy, Partners in Environmental Education http://www.legacyenved.org/

American Water Works Association Scholarships http://www.awwa.org/Conferences/content.cfm?ItemNumber=3501&navItemNumber=13974

AXA Achievement College Scholarship http://www.axa-equitable.com/axa-foundation/AXA-achievement-scholarship.html

Making a Difference College Guide - http://www.making-a-difference.com/pages/CollegeGuide.html

Scholarships for High School http://www.scholarshipsandgrants.us/high-school-scholarships/