Can Community College Students Get Scholarships?

Everyone knows that community colleges are so much cheaper than four-year institutions, public and private alike. It’s because of this exactly why many presume that community college students are no longer eligible for scholarships — they are already paying a lot less, so why would they need financial assistance in the first place?

Community college students can still get scholarships. There are many scholarships available for them, from federal and state grants, loans to work-study. Many community colleges have athletic scholarships, too. Transfer scholarships are available for those who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree.

My neighbor attends a community college, and he pays nothing from his pocket, so I know that it is possible to get financial aid even for 2-year degree schools.

Keep reading if you want to learn more. This post is all about scholarships for community college students — what are those that are available, how can they apply for those, which community colleges they should enroll in for more savings, etc.

How Do I Apply for Scholarships as a Community College Student?

Whether students from low-income backgrounds are attending community colleges or four-year institutions, the initial step to applying for scholarships they are eligible for remains the same: filling out the FAFSA. Incoming freshman students can submit the completed FAFSA even before they decide which school to attend.

According to Education Data, the average annual cost of college is $25,487 at an in-state public school and $53,217 at a private non-profit school. Meanwhile, at a community college, the average annual cost is $15,748.

That’s 38% cheaper than an in-state public school and 70% cheaper than a private non-profit school!

Despite being so much cheaper than other options, students attending community colleges may still apply for financial aid and get support in the form of federal or state grants, student loans and work-study programs. And it all begins by completing and submitting the FAFSA as soon as possible after it becomes available on October 1.

But it’s important to note that only 44% of all community college students receive any type of financial aid. Among those who do, however, more receive grants that borrow money.

Other than financial assistance from the federal or state government, students attending community colleges may also be eligible for institutional or private scholarships — these scholarships can be awarded based on financial need, academic excellence, field of study, volunteer service and others.

Do Community Colleges Offer Athletic Scholarships?

Nearly 50% of all community colleges in the US have intercollegiate sports programs, and more than 50,000 community college students participate in them. Those that are a part of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) have athletic scholarships, some of which even offer full-ride scholarships.

Are you a student-athlete who is steering clear of large colleges and universities that are a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I due to budgetary constraints?

Refrain from assuming that your sports dreams are over.

That’s because many community colleges partake in intercollegiate sports, too. This is particularly true for those who are members of NJCAA, which is the one that governs intercollegiate athletics for community colleges and junior colleges. And if community colleges are JNCAA members, they get scholarship funding from the organization.

Different community colleges receiving funding from JNCAA have different eligibility requirements for athlete students who are looking to qualify for athletic scholarships.

However, it’s very much likely for all community colleges to consider applicants who are high school graduates or have received an equivalent to a high school diploma, such as GED. It’s also not uncommon for applicants to be full-time students in order to be eligible for community college athletic scholarships.

Related Article: Can You Combine Athletic Scholarships and Financial Aid?

Are There Free Community Colleges?

There are many free community colleges in the US. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that earning a degree from them costs zero dollars. When community colleges are referred to as free, it typically means that there are no tuition costs students have to take care of — other college-related costs still exist.

It’s plain to see that tuition makes up the bulk of the cost of college. After all, at many colleges and universities, tuition makes up more than 80% of the annual general budget.

Needless to say, attending an institution with low tuition costs can help low-income students stay within budget.

Fortunately for those who are in the process of building a college list, there are many free community colleges to choose from. At these associate degree-granting institutions, students do not have to pay tuition. Most free community colleges are able to provide higher education tuition-free with the help of scholarship programs.

Different states with free community colleges have different coverage and eligibility requirements, which is why you should research and, if necessary, get in touch with the admissions office of your shortlisted community colleges.

Here are the different US states offering free community colleges:

• Arkansas
• California
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Jersey
• New York
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Washington
• West Virginia

Are There Scholarships for Pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree Later?

Many external or private scholarships are available for community college students who plan on pursuing a bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution after earning an associate degree. In many instances, these types of aid are referred to as college transfer scholarships.

Some of them, however, are merit-based.

Some college transfer scholarships are more generous than others. One example is the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, which provides scholarship money of up to $55,000 per year.

But because it’s competitive, it isn’t surprising why the eligibility requirements are rigorous.

Those who are interested to apply for the said college transfer scholarship, for instance, must be enrolled at an accredited community college with a sophomore standing. They should also earn a college GPA of at least 3.5 as well as intend to enroll full-time in an accredited four-year college or university after graduation.

And, more importantly, they must demonstrate unmet financial need — the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, fortunately, considers applicants with a family income of up to $95,000.

Here are some other scholarships for community college students who wish to earn a bachelor’s degree afterward:

• American Association for Women in Community Colleges
• American Legion
• Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
• Darrell Hess Community College Geography Scholarship
• Foundation for California Community Colleges
• GEICO Pathway to Completion Associate’s Degree Scholarship
• Guistwhite Scholarship Program
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund
• Hites Transfer Scholarship
• Horatio Alger Association Career and Technical Scholarships
• Jackie Spellman Scholarship Foundation
• Jeannette Rankin Foundation
• National Society of Accountants
• Susan T. Buffett Foundation College Scholarships
• Tau Sigma Honor Society Scholarship
• The Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education
• United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Scholarships

Just Before You Apply for Scholarships

Going to a community college is cheaper than attending a four-year college or university — as mentioned earlier, the average cost of being a community college student for one year can be 38% to 79% cheaper.

But economizing by earning an associate degree doesn’t begin and end with enrolling in a community college. Before getting admitted, you should remember to file the FAFSA in order to determine which available aid you are eligible for. It’s also a wonderful idea to explore institutional scholarships as well as those from private, non-profit organizations.

Related Questions

What GPA do you need to get a scholarship?

Some scholarships, in particular the merit-based types, are based on the GPAs of students. Most competitive ones require a GPA between 3.5 and 4.0, while less-competitive ones are fine with 2.0 at least. Some need-based scholarships also require awardees to have a minimum GPA to maintain eligibility.

How many scholarships can you get?

There is no limit to the number of scholarships you can apply for. Similarly, there is no limit to the number of scholarships you can win. If your scholarship amounts to more than the total cost of attendance, your school may send you a refund of the leftover money. However, you may have to pay taxes.

Related Article: Can Community College Credits Transfer Out-of-State?