Can You Get Scholarships for Community College?

This article is all about scholarships for community college students, including information on how to apply for them and a list of available scholarships.

Everyone is aware of how much less expensive, both public and private, community colleges are than four-year universities. Due to the fact that community college students are already paying significantly less than four-year university students, many people mistakenly believe that they are no longer eligible for scholarships.

For those graduating high school seniors worried about the costs, it’s a relief to know that grants and scholarships are still available for community college students, just like for students at other types of colleges. If you want to know more, continue reading.

Can You Get Scholarships for Community College?

Some scholarships are only available to community college students. Those specific community college scholarships can be used to fund your bachelor’s degree at a four-year institution after transferring, or your associate degree while you’re enrolled at a community college.

You will occasionally be free to choose where to spend the money, but there may be times when the terms of the scholarship stipulate that you must attend a specific institution. Many colleges award scholarships to transfer students in an effort to draw in more students.

Occasionally, transfer students from community colleges are awarded more scholarships than first-year students would.

Do Community Colleges Offer Athletic Scholarships?

Intercollegiate sports are offered at more than 50,000 community colleges across the US, or close to 50% of all colleges nationwide. The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) offers athletic scholarships, some of which even provide full financial aid.

Are you a Division I student-athlete who, due to financial constraints, avoids attending large colleges and universities that are members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)?

Don’t give up on your dreams of playing sports. Related: Do Community Colleges Have Sports?

This is due to the fact that many community colleges also participate in intercollegiate sports. The NJCAA, which oversees collegiate athletics for community colleges and junior colleges, is particularly relevant to those who are members. Community colleges receive funding for scholarships from the JNCAA if they are members of the association.

For students who want to be eligible for athletic scholarships, different community colleges that receive funding from JNCAA have different eligibility requirements.

All community colleges, however, are very likely to take into account applicants who have received a high school diploma or an equivalent, like a GED, as well as applicants who have graduated from high school. In order to qualify for community college athletic scholarships, it’s also not unusual for applicants to be full-time students.

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

Filling out the FAFSA is the first step in applying for scholarships that low-income students are qualified for, whether they are attending community colleges or four-year institutions. The FAFSA can be filled out and submitted by incoming freshmen even before they choose their school.

According to Education Data, the average annual cost of attending college is $25,487 for in-state public schools and $53,217 for private non-profit institutions. The average cost per year at a community college is $15,748, meanwhile.

That works out to be 38% less expensive than an in-state public school and 70% less expensive than a for-profit private institution.

Community colleges still allow students to apply for financial aid and receive assistance in the form of federal or state grants, student loans, and work-study programs, despite being significantly less expensive than other options. And it all starts by submitting the FAFSA as soon as you can after it becomes available on October 1.

However, it’s crucial to remember that only 44% of all community college students receive any kind of financial aid. But more of those who do get grants that borrow money.

In addition to receiving financial aid from the federal or state governments, community college students may also be qualified for institutional or private scholarships. These scholarships may be given based on a variety of criteria, including financial need, academic achievement, the field of study, volunteer work, and others.

Just before You Apply for Scholarships

The average cost of a year at a community college can be 38% to 79% less than that of a four-year college or university, as was already mentioned.

However, saving money by obtaining an associate’s degree does not start and stop with enrolling in a community college. You must remember to complete the FAFSA before being accepted in order to find out what types of financial aid are available. Along with looking into institutional scholarships, it’s a great idea to look into private, non-profit ones as well.

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