Community foundations across the United States have implemented human service scholarships to inspire the next generation of compassionate leaders.
Human services positions typically require at least an associate or bachelor’s degree. Attending college certainly isn’t cheap with projected annual costs of $28,387 at public and $59,341 at private institutions. However, earning a human services degree will develop important communication skills and interpersonal awareness for good citizenship. After graduation, human services majors enter a market poised for 10-year job growth at 10 percent. Students could excel as:
- child life specialists
- case managers
- rehabilitation therapists
- addiction counselors
- social workers
- policy analysts
- probation officers, and more.
Gain the financial footing to follow your heart into the “helping professions” with these human services scholarships.
Ranking Best Human Services Scholarships
1. Alice Yuriko Endo Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
The Japanese American Citizens League offers over $70,000 each year through 30 national scholarships, such as the Alice Yuriko Endo Memorial Scholarship. It’s named for an activist who proudly participated in the 1964 Civil Rights March in Washington, DC. The fund supports residents of the Eastern District Council who exhibit interest in social and human services fields. Undergraduates of any ethnicity who attend accredited U.S. colleges full-time may apply.
Contact
Alice Yuriko Endo Memorial Scholarship
1629 K Street NW Suite 400
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 223-1240
kmizutani@jacl.org
2. Angie Houtz Memorial Scholarship Fund
Deadline: April 30th
The Angie Houtz Memorial Scholarship Fund honors a generous United States Navy analyst who perished in the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. It gifts $3,000 yearly. Human services majors matriculated at two- or four-year colleges in Maryland would qualify. They must have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0. Applications must include:
- official transcripts
- three sealed recommendation letters
- a resume of extra-curricular activities
- documentation for 200+ community service hours
- a one-page essay response.
Contact
Angie Houtz Memorial Scholarship Fund
414 Bottsford Avenue
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
angiefund@yahoo.com
3. Camp Roy-El Scholarship Endowment
Deadline: March 1st
The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation administers the Camp Roy-El Scholarship Endowment. It recognizes Roy and Ellen Brigman’s work helping handicapped campers during the 1950’s polio epidemic. Their legacy lives on with $1,000 awards granted to juniors and seniors at four-year Michigan colleges. These are studentsd who strive to work with persons with disabilities. Eligible are students with a minimum 2.5 GPA in fields like:
- human services
- social work
- occupational therapy.
Contact
Camp Roy-El Scholarship Endowment
250 E Front Street Suite 310
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 935-4066
info@gtrcf.org
4. Caswell-Morgan Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: June 1st
The Northern New York Community Foundation offers the Caswell-Morgan Memorial Scholarship. The average award is $2,000 to full-time or part-time undergraduate students. They must aspire to work in human or social services professions. Eligibility criteria includes:
- residing in New York’s Jefferson or Lewis counties
- entering the third year of study
- participating in community service efforts
- demonstrating respect for others
- giving three references
Contact
Caswell-Morgan Memorial Scholarship
120 Washington Street Suite 400
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 782-7110
april@nnycf.org
5. David C. Maloney Scholarship
Deadline: May 1st
The National Organization for Human Services is the top source for finding scholarships for human services across the United States. The David C. Maloney Scholarship is one of 11 awards gifted to current members. They must be completing an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s program in human services. They must have outstanding academic merit above a 3.2 GPA. Submit application and:
- transcript
- resume
- reference,
- 500-word essay.
Contact
David C. Maloney Scholarship
P.O. Box 54
Millstone Township, NJ 08510
(732) 786-0950
scholar@nationalhumanservices.org
6. Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship
Deadline: April 30th
The Truth Initiative endows the Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship for $5,000. It supports undergrad and post-graduate students attending four-year U.S. colleges with a minimum 2.0 GPA.Majors include:
- public health
- human services
- social work
- education
- counseling
Applicants are required to show documentation of community service with:
- people affected by smoking, especially low-income
- LGBT
- minority populations
Entrants will use creativity to design a campaign that inspires tobacco-free lives.
Contact
Dr. Alma S. Adams Scholarship
900 G Street NW 4th Floor
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 454-5555
adamsscholarship@truthinititative.org
7. Elmer Ediger Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
Mennonite Health Services established the Elmer Ediger Memorial Scholarship in 1968. It supports Mennonite, Brethren in Christ, and Anabaptist congregants in North America. They must be pursuing graduate study in the health and human services. For $1,000 to $1,200, qualified candidates must:
- attend a Church-related college
- have voluntary service experience
- hold a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better
- show vocational interests serving the mentally ill or developmentally disabled.
Contact
Elmer Ediger Memorial Scholarship
1112 North Main Street
Goshen, IN 46528
(574) 534-9689
deloris@mhsonline.org
8. Equality Leadership Fund Scholarship
Deadline: April 15th
Living in the Beehive State could make human services majors eligible for the Community Foundation of Utah’s Equality Leadership Fund Scholarship. It offers $500 to $1,500. The program selects college students registered at in-state universities with a minimum 3.0 GPA. They must show exceptional leadership advocating the rights of the LGBTQ community.
High school seniors could also apply for Utah’s Spoden-Moore Leading with Heart Scholarship.
Contact
Equality Leadership Fund Scholarship
2257 South 110 East Suite 205
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
(801) 559-3005
scholarships@utahcf.org
9. Harold McPheeters Scholarship
Deadline: May 1st
The Harold McPheeters Scholarship is named after the field’s “Founding Father.” It’s another NOHS’ human services scholarship. It provides $500 per year toward tuition in associate, bachelor’s, or master’s programs nationwide. Eligible student members must:
- present a college GPA of 2.8 or better
- have successful volunteer/work experience
- exhibit strong interpersonal skills
Before May 1st, application packets must arrive with:
- a resume
- transcript
- two-page, double-spaced essay
- non-faculty human service recommendation.
Contact
Harold McPheeters Scholarship
P.O. Box 54
Millstone Township, NJ 08510
(732) 786-0950
scholar@nationalhumanservices.org
10. Helen Hamilton Scholarship Fund
Deadline: March 31st
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts awarded over $2 million last year alone to finance the higher education of residents in the counties of:
- Berkshire
- Franklin
- Hampden
- Hampshire
The Helen Hamilton Scholarship Fund specifically presents $1,000 to Massachusites who are studying:
- human services
- social services
- urban planning
- housing studies
- related areas for community development
Funding can be applied for tuition and fees at any accredited U.S. institution.
Contact
Helen Hamilton Scholarship Fund
1500 Main Street Suite 2300
P.O. Box 15769
Springfield, MA 01115
(413) 732-2858
WMASS@communityfoundation.org
11. James M. and Virginia M. Smyth Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
he James M. and Virginia M. Smyth Scholarship is valued at $8,000 over four years. It’s offered by the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. It assists undergraduate students, including returning adults, who are studying:
- the arts
- human services
- music
- ministry
Qualifications require:
- a cumulative GPA above 3.0
- acceptance at an accredited college
- financial need
- commitment to community service
Prioritized are residents of:
- Georgia
- Tennessee
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Illinois.
Contact
James M. and Virginia M. Smyth Scholarship
191 Peachtree Street NE Suite 1000
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 688-5525
scholarships@cfgreateratlanta.org
12. Lique Human Services Scholarship
Deadline: April 8th
Greater Lynn Senior Services initiated the Lique Human Services Scholarship for $5,000 . It honors the Executive Director’s 35-year career advocating that people be treated with dignity. Two recipients are selected yearly from high schools in:
- Lynn
- Lynnfield
- Nahant
- Saugus
- Swampscott
College-bound students must display genuine interest in human services professions to primarily help the frail elderly and vulnerable persons with disabilities.
Contact
Lique Human Services Scholarship
8 Silsbee Street
Lynn, MA 01901
(781) 599-0110
info@glss.net
13. Luthra Family Scholarship Fund
Deadline: March 1st
The Luthra Family Scholarship Fund is endowed by Drs. Madhu and Vinay Luthra. It’s organized under the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin to distribute one-time $1,000 awards. Eligible are graduating high school seniors in the DC Everest and Wausau area of the Badger State. They must be pursuing careers in health or human services. Selection is based upon:
- attendance at a University of Wisconsin campus
- academic merit
- community involvement
- potential.
Contact
Luthra Family Scholarship Fund
500 First Street Suite 2600
Wausau, WI 54403
(715) 845-9555
info@cfoncw@org
14. Mary Louise Buckley Scholarship
Deadline: April 4th
The Mary Louise Buckley Scholarship is through the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NJCBVI) program. It offers $5,000 yearly to honor the Mercer County RN who volunteered religiously with Learning Ally. Eligible U.S. citizens or legal residents must:
- be active NJCBVI clients
- reside in New Jersey
- carry a minimum 2.5 GPA
- major in the health or human services
- demonstrate continued service to others, especially the blind
There’s also the Sarah Churchill Scholarship for Leadership.
Contact
Mary Louise Buckley Scholarship
P.O. Box 47017
Newark, NJ 07101
(609) 292-3717
Pamela.Gaston@dhs.state.nj.us
15. Montage Memory Makers Scholarship
Deadline: November 14th
Montage Hotels & Resorts offers the Memory Makers Scholarship. They recognize youth leaders between 13 and 17 years old nationwide who are positively touching their community. Five recipients earn:
- a $10,000 college scholarship
- complimentary two-night stay at any resort destination
- a feature in Montage Magazine
- Future human services majors can apply by simply writing a 300-word essay outlining how you make the world a better place with an optional YouTube video.
Contact
Montage Memory Makers Scholarship
30801 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(866) 551-8244
16. MSSA John Moline Scholarships
Deadline: May 20th
The Minnesota Social Service Association awards two John Moline Scholarships for $1,000 each. They are to enhance the professional development of Upper Midwest students seeking careers in the health and human service field. It is mandatory to enroll as a junior or senior at accredited four-year colleges in:
- Minnesota
- Wisconsin
- Iowa
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
Other requirements include:
- unmet financial need
- a minimum 3.0 GPA
- community service involvement.
Contact
MSSA John Moline Scholarships
125 Charles Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55103
(651) 644-0556
ajorgensen@mnssa.org
17. New Leader Scholarship Program
Deadline: March 10th
The New Leader Scholarship Program is funded by the Marin Community Foundation. It offers $8,000 awards to Bay Area students who are pursuing education in:
- human services
- healthcare
- public administration
- the social sciences
Recipients are expected to have full-time enrollment at:
- CSU East Bay
- San Francisco State
- San Jose State
- Sonoma State
- UC Berkeley
High academic achievement is expected. Priority is given to applicants from financially and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds.
Contact
New Leader Scholarship Program
5 Hamilton Landing Suite 200
Novato, CA 94949
(415) 464-2500
ruth@newleaderscholarship.org
18. Timothy S. Ray Scholarship Fund
Deadline: March 11th
The College of Health and Human Development at California State University Fullerton offers the Timothy S. Ray Scholarship Fund. It awards $500 yearly to full-time juniors and seniors majoring in human services or child development. Being eligible requires:
- maintaining a minimum 2.5 GPA
- participating in community service activities
- exhibiting unmet financial need
- being dedicated to the helping professions
The SA application consists of seven questions with an attached resume.
Contact
Timothy S. Ray Scholarship Fund
800 N. State College
P.O. Box 6868
Fullerton, CA 92831
(657) 278-3245
cgreenberg@fullerton.edu
19. Virgil Taylor Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: February 1st
The Oklahoma Rehabilitation Association offers the Virgil Taylor Memorial Scholarship to honor his 33-year career serving individuals with disabilities. This fund assists undergraduate seniors attending East Central University. Seniors must be full-time. They must be earning the bachelor’s major in human services counseling with a rehabilitation or services to the deaf concentration. Interested applicants must submit:
- a transcript showing a 3.0 GPA or higher
- one-page career aspirations essay
- one recommendation.
Contact
Virgil Taylor Memorial Scholarship
125 N. Greenwood Suite 200
Tulsa , OK 74120
(918) 382-7700 ext. 222
ewatkins@okdrs.gov
20. Wozumi Family Scholarship
Deadline: January 13th
Activist Brian M. Day began the Pride Foundation in 1993 to overcome the barriers to post-secondary degrees. Over two decades later, the Foundation gifts 50+ scholarships to Northwest residents of:
- Alaska
- Idaho
- Montana
- Oregon
- Washington
The Wozumi Family Scholarship specifically offers $500 to $3,000 for goals-oriented LGBTQ students. Also eligible are straight allies who are HIV positive or pursuing human services careers for the eradication of HIV.
Majors could also pursue the Soaring Heart Scholarship.
Contact
Wozumi Family Scholarship
2014 E. Madison Street Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98122
(800) 735-7287
scholarships@pridefoundation.org
Getting rich isn’t the goal for kind, altruistic individuals choosing the human services field. The BLS reports that the median annual wage for human services jobs is $42,010. Although this figure is larger than America’s median salary of $36,200, repaying student loan debt can drastically cut your money source later. Luckily, financial aid opportunities like scholarships, grants, and work-study can resolve the loan burden. These are just 20 of the scholarships for human services available to reward your community leadership with free tuition coverage.
GCD Staff
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