Hearts for Community Service

Scholarship Sponsored by Warrick Dunn Charities

A 2022 study from the Pell Institute and PennAHEAD highlights that the rising cost of college imposes severe, long-term hardships on low-income students and students of color. While higher education can still be a pathway to improved economic mobility for many first-generation and low-income learners, the report warns that it frequently saddles them with crippling debt. Warrick Dunn Charities’ Hearts for Community Service Scholarship aims to reduce the financial strain of pursuing post-secondary education and to support students who use community volunteerism as a springboard toward higher-paying careers, economic security, and improved quality of life for themselves and future generations. Overview - Award amount: $5,000 - Annual application window: Opens June 1 and closes June 30 - Winners announced: August - Eligible applicants: Residents of Warrick Dunn Charities markets (see list below) who have demonstrated volunteer service in their communities Eligible States Applicants must reside in one of the following states to qualify: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, or Wisconsin. Who may apply The scholarship is open to students who volunteer in their communities and who will be enrolled in a post-secondary program for the upcoming academic year. This includes: - High school students who are dually enrolled in a college or university - High school graduates or individuals with a GED - Students attending trade or technical schools - Students pursuing associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate/professional/doctoral degrees Applicant requirements To be considered, applicants must: - Hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (equivalent GED scores accepted) - Demonstrate active volunteer service in their local community - Be planning to attend or already attending a post-secondary school (associate, undergraduate, graduate, professional, or doctoral) - Be a resident of one of the eligible states listed above Letters of recommendation — requirements Each applicant must submit two (2) letters of recommendation that verify and describe the applicant’s volunteer community service. Recommendation letters should come from persons associated with an organization where the applicant currently volunteers or has volunteered in the past. Each letter should provide concrete examples of the applicant’s volunteer activities and the effects of that service on the community. Each recommendation letter should address these questions: 1. How long has the applicant volunteered with your organization? 2. What volunteer roles has the applicant performed within your organization? 3. What impact has the applicant’s volunteer work had on the community or the people you serve? Application materials — what to submit In addition to standard family and demographic information, applicants must provide: - Two (2) letters of recommendation that document volunteer community service (see details above) - An email address and direct phone number for each reference - Proof of enrollment (or conditional enrollment) in a post-secondary institution for the upcoming academic year - Proof of residency in one of the eligible states (driver’s license or other government-issued ID) - A copy of your most recent academic transcript - A personal essay of at least 500 words (see prompts below) Essay instructions Write a minimum 500-word essay that answers each of the following prompts: - Describe the ways you provide service and the positive effects your volunteer work has had on your community. - Explain how your volunteer experiences have influenced your personal growth or life perspective. - Describe how receiving this scholarship would help you continue your education. - Explain what access to post-secondary education means to you personally. Application timeline recap - Application period: June 1–June 30 (annually) - Award notifications: Announced in August If you meet the above criteria and can document your volunteer involvement and enrollment plans, you are encouraged to apply during the June application period.