Can You Apply for Scholarships at a Community College?

I'm planning to start at a community college and wondering if I can still apply for scholarships while attending. Are there specific scholarships just for community college students? Any tips on finding scholarships for my situation?

Absolutely! Many community colleges offer internal scholarships for their students based on academic achievement, financial need, and areas of study. Some schools also recognize student leadership, community service, and other forms of extracurricular involvement.

As for external scholarships for community college students, there are quite a few within reach as well. Since you are aiming to go to a community college, you might be eligible for local scholarships offered by businesses or community organizations in your area. These groups tend to prioritize giving to local colleges which often includes community colleges.

Another source of scholarships is national scholarships which are open to community college students. Scholarship databases such as Appily or the U.S. Department of Labor's free scholarship search tool can help you find scholarships that are specifically targeted towards community college students. When using these tools, remember to narrow down your search based on your location, intended career field, or personal characteristics to find tailored scholarships.

One big tip is to start your search for scholarships as early as possible. Deadlines can fall at any time of the year, and some scholarships have application processes that require essays or recommenders, so starting early gives you the time needed to submit a quality application.

Remember, while you're attending community college, it's also a great time to build up your academic and extracurricular profile so that when you're ready to transfer to a four-year institution, you'll have a strong foundation to apply for transfer scholarships.

All the best with your community college journey and the scholarship search process!