Community college, just like any four-year college or university, costs money.
Luckily, there are tons and tons of community college scholarships out there for students who are pursuing 2-year degrees.
In this post, I highlight a diverse list of 30+ scholarships that are open to or catering specifically to community college students.
Scroll down to check them out!
Community college scholarships are opportunities available for students who attend community colleges, also commonly referred to as technical colleges, 2-year colleges, or junior colleges.
Some scholarship programs cater specifically to community college students, while others cater to a wider range of students, including those who attend 2-year schools.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Quarterly (September 30, December 31, March 31, June 30)
Eligibility: This is my very own no-essay scholarship! Open to high school, college, and graduate school students of all years.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Varies (June 30, December 31)
Eligibility: Open to high school students of all years, who are planning to eventually enroll at a US higher education institution (includes community colleges!).
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: September 30
Eligibility: A great no-essay scholarship, this opportunity is open to high school seniors and undergraduate students in the US.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: Monthly
Eligibility: Open to all students 13 and older!
Amount: Varies, but it's usually between $1,000 and $2,500!
Deadline: Last day of each month
Eligibility: Open to high school, college, and graduate students in the US.
Amount: $4,000
Deadline: End of each month
Eligibility: Open to students ages 13 and older. All you need to do to apply is create an account.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: Quarterly
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors interested in attending a Christian college or university.
Amount: Varies by scholarship
Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Open to current students at accredited U.S. community college or two-year institution with sophomore status planning to enroll in a full-time baccalaureate program at an accredited college or university. Must have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent) and demonstrate unmet financial need. US citizenship not required!
Amount: Varies by scholarship
Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Open to current and future LGBTQ+ and straight-ally student leaders from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Scholarships cover most accredited institutions, including community colleges, 4-year colleges, and universities, medical schools, etc.
Amount: $2,500 - $20,000
Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Open to Asian and Pacific Islander American students who will be enrolling or are currently enrolled in a U.S. accredited college or university as a degree-seeking undergraduate student. Special consideration is given for students living below the poverty line and students who are the first in their family to attend college. FAFSA completion is necessary.
Must be a US citizen, minimum 2.7 GPA
Amount: $6,000
Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Open to northern and central California community college students for their service to the LGBTQ+ community. Must be planning to transfer to an accredited four-year college or university.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Open to students pursuing an HVAC degree or certificate at an accredited community college, technical/vocational school, or approved technical institute.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: February 25
Eligibility: Open to community college students who will be graduating that year and do not have the financial resources to complete their bachelor’s degree at a 4-year university. Must have a minimum 3.0/4.0 GPA. In terms of DACA, you must be able to show proof of DACA or TPS, showing that you came to the US before age 16.
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors planning on studying at any college or university after graduation. Must be an animal lover and US resident!
Amount: $3,000 per year
Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to North Carolina high school seniors and community college students looking to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Recipients must be from certain rural counties, demonstrate both financial need and merit (minimum 3.0 GPA), and plan to attend participating North Carolina colleges and universities.
Amount: $20,000
Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to high school seniors with disabilities who plan to attend a vocational or academic college and target a career in the technology industry.
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: Open to first-year students enrolled at a Virginia community college and pursuing a degree in a STEM-related field.
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: Varies (March 15, September 15)
Eligibility: Open to any female high school or college student who wants to start her own online business.
Amount: up to $2,500
Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Open to female students who are enrolled at, or accepted into, either a two or four-year college or university within the United States. Must be planning a career in computer science, information technology, management information systems, or related field.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Varies (March 31, September 30)
Eligibility: Open to students currently enrolled in or entering a certificate or degree program which leads to a manufacturing career on a full-time basis. Minimum 2.5 GPA.
Amount: up to $5,000
Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Open to all students who are US residents, attending a higher education institution in the US, including community college!
Amount: $5,000 - $20,000
Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Open to students who were born outside the US or who have both parents born outside the US. Must be either a graduating senior at a high school in the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia or a recent GED grad residing in DC, Maryland or Virginia. Annual family income must be below $100,000.
Amount: $500 - $10,000
Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Open to students of Hispanic descent who are pursuing degrees in STEM fields at 2 or 4-year colleges and universities. Minimum 3.0 GPA. The GMiS Scholars Program accepts applicants who are U.S. citizens, U.S. residents, F1 Visa, or DACA status.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Open to high school and college students of all years, including students who are planning to attend or currently attending community colleges in the US. Undocumented and DACA students may apply.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Varies (April 15, October 17)
Eligibility: Open to 10th-12th graders, college students, and non-traditional students. Must be a US resident currently attending or be planning to attend a 2-year or 4-year college or university in the US.
Amount: up to $5,000
Deadline: April 20
Eligibility: Open to Applicants must be pursuing full-time undergraduate or graduate degrees in Graphic design, Illustration, or Photography. Must be a US citizen.
Amount: $500 - $1,000
Deadline: September 1
Details: Open to all high school and college students in the US, including DACA recipients. Students who identify as part of a minority or who are/will be first-generation college students are encouraged to apply.
Amount: $2,000
Deadline: September 30
Eligibility: Open to students enrolled at a public community college, junior college, technical college, or city college, and working towards a certificate, diploma, or degree at the associate’s level or a first-time bachelor’s level.
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: October 22
Eligibility: Open to North Carolina community college students who are pursuing an associate degree with the intent to enroll in a four-year program and have the potential to become a CPA.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: Open to graduating high school seniors or recent high school graduates with financial need, a minimum 2.5 GPA, and a high likelihood of successful completion of a post-secondary program.
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: December 31
Eligibility: Open to students from community colleges, junior colleges, city colleges, or similar two-year educational institutions who will be transferring as geography majors to four-year colleges and universities. Minimum 3.5 GPA.
Amount: Varies (usually covers the gap between your tuition and the financial aid you are receiving)
Deadline: N/A
Eligibility: Open to recent HS graduates, current community college students and returning adults attending one of the Program’s 10 Illinois community college partners (see website for details). Undocumented students may apply.
If you're a community college student and you're looking for general resources in addition to the scholarships that I've listed above, I highly recommend checking out some of these...
America Needs You - a great mentorship and career-building program for community college students in NY, NJ, and CA who intend to transfer to 4-year schools
Access Scholarship's Student Resources Page - has a comprehensive list of study tools, career tips, and more.
Blog post: Which type of college degree is right for you? - a worthwhile read for any high school student who is unsure of what form of higher education to pursue.