Community Service and College Admissions and Scholarships

Community service DOES count when it comes to college admissions. PSLA has compiled a list of colleges and universities in the state of Pennsylvania that provide scholarships for community service. When applicable, we have also highlighted college admissions criteria in an effort to show that community service CAN be a factor in the admission process for schools of higher education in Pennsylvania. This information has been compiled from email and snail mail surveys, and is by no means inclusive.

Note: Contact PSLA if you have additional scholarship information. We will update this site periodically as new information arrives. Pennsylvania colleges are listed in alphabetical order:

A-D    E-K    L-N    P-Z

Alvernia College
Admissions Criteria:
Students applying must meet the minimum criteria in regard to SAT scores, GPA, community service, and other activities in order to be accepted into Alvernia College. Select programs require an interview, hours of observation, and the general admissions standards.

Scholarships and Awards:  Alvernia Scholarships page
Principal Community Service Award: Award offered to one student at selected high schools in the Berks and other counties and Catholic high schools in the Allentown and Harrisburg Dioceses. The principal of each high school nominates one candidate with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and a minimum SAT of 950. The student must also demonstrate a commitment of service to the school and/or to the community.

Arcadia University - Financial Aid & Scholarships page
Admissions Criteria:
Particular emphasis is placed on candidates' academic records, including the types of programs followed and the grades and class rank earned. The application essay, standardized test scores, and counselor and teacher recommendations are required. Character references, participation in school and community activities, work experience and any other supporting credentials presented by the student are considered in the evaluation. Active participation in community service is desirable and students who have such experiences contribute to the overall quality of the campus community.

 

Bucknell University - Financial Aid & Scholarships page
Admissions Criteria:
The admissions committee evaluate: the quality of the written application which the student submits; the secondary school curriculum of the applicant, with emphasis on both content and performance; aptitude for college study as reflected by the SAT or the ACT; written recommendations from the secondary school counselors and teachers on behalf of the applicant; indications of special talent and school and community contributions; and evidence of impressive personal qualities of character, leadership, and personality. More than 700 of our enrolled students are heavily involved in volunteer work at Bucknell; many of those students came to Buckell with impressive community service records.

Scholarships and Awards:
Kenneth G. Langone Scholarship Fund- Awarded to students who have evidenced ambition, contribution to their family and/or community, determination, integrity, loyalty, and steadfastness. Academic, athletic, or leadership talents are secondary considerations. Among currently enrolled Langone Scholarship recipients are students who have demonstrated extensive volunteer commitment to hospitals, to Big Brother/Big Sister programs, to mission work in Latin America, to volunteer internships with the National Institute of Health cancer research, to a sole care giver for a seriously ill parent, to coordinating work with aids patients, and to extensive church related volunteerism among the poor and homeless.

Community College of Butler County
Scholarships and Awards:
Kiwanis-Scholarship; the student must be a Butler county Resident and returning for their second year of study (minimum of 12 credits earned). The student must also have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to students involved in volunteer community service. One scholarship per year is awarded at $500.

Carnegie Mellon University - CMU Scholarships page
Admissions Criteria:
Secondary School performance, standardized tests. Evidence of extra curricular participation, evidence of leadership, motivation, honors/awards, and community service rendered.

Scholarships and Awards:
No scholarships for community service specifically, but service to the community is one of the factors taken into consideration for awarding their most prestigious academic scholarships.

Clarion University - Clarion's Scholarship page
Admissions Criteria:
Strength of curriculum, class rank, GPA, High School profile, SAT or ACT scores, recommendations. Clarion also admits about 1200 freshmen with 22% under a special admission status requiring participation in one of several support programs aimed to insure success.

Scholarships and Awards:
Board of Governor Scholarships-(5) Awards for AmeriCorps/America Reads or similar. Full tuition or some portion depending on need and service

Eastern University  -Eastern Scholarships page & Outside Scholarships page
Admissions Criteria:
Primarily the SAT/ACT score and class rank. Once these are evaluated, they look at involvement within the community and the church. This is very important because of Eastern's commitment to working in inner city Philadelphia and the local community.

Scholarships and Awards:
Leadership Program- For students who are leaders in the community; awarded to 15-20 students per year. While at school, students may win the Barnabas Scholarship which is awarded to students who are most involved with the community.

East Stroudsburg University - ESU Scholarships page
Admissions Criteria:
Academic achievement, SAT score, and the student's involvement in their school and community.

Scholarships and Awards:
Prince Hall Scholarships- Waiver of tuition, room, board, fees, and book expenses. In addition to academic achievement and test score criteria, students must demonstrate strong civic responsibility through notable community service.
Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties Scholarships- $300 to $350 annually. Recipients will be selected on the basis of academic record, campus activities, community service, career goals, and letters of recommendation.
Eugene H. Martin Memorial Scholarship- $1000. Preference is given to a student who demonstrates leadership in varied activities and to those who provide service in the community.
Pennsylvania State Employee Credit Union Scholarships- $1000. The applicant must be able to document university and community activities that demonstrate a commitment to community service.
Rotary Club of the Smithfield Scholarships-$500. Awarded to full-time undergraduate student having completed a minimum of 64 credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above who is involved with student and community activity.

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania - Edinboro Scholarships page
Admissions Criteria:
1. Program of study sought at the University
2. High School curriculum completed
3. Grades in high school courses
4. GPA in academic courses
5. Class Rank
6. SAT/ACT scores
7. Extra-curricular activities, part-time employment, awards, school attendance and community service. Community service is reviewed and considered in all comprehensive admissions applications.

 

Gettysburg College
Admissions Criteria:
Evidence of high academic achievement as indicated by the secondary school record, evidence of ability to do high quality college work as indicated by aptitude and achievement test results, and evidence of personal qualities: any evidence of in-depth involvement in secondary school activities and/or participation in community affairs (especially volunteer services) is favorably considered in the admission process.

Scholarships and Awards:  On Scholarships page, check out merit and need-based scholarships
Holly Gabriel Memorial Award
Mildred H. Hartzell Prize
J. Andrew Marsh Memorial Awards
Muhlenberg Goodwill Prize
Anna Julia Cooper, Cheikh Anta-Diop, W.E.B DuBois Award for Academic Excellence in African American Studies
Gettysburg College Senior Prize
Class of 1937 Scholarship Fund,Class of 1971 Scholarship Fund,
Class of 1995 Scholarship Fund

Keystone College
Admissions Criteria:
Community service is not considered as part of admissions criteria, but if a student is involved in extra-curricular activities, particularly those related to community service, these are taken into consideration.

Scholarships and Awards: Scholarships page
Keystone College does recognize leadership skills and awards scholarships to these students. Many of these leadership opportunities have been in a community service environment. These scholarships are awarded on an individual basis and are based on a combination of leadership skills, class rank, and SAT/ACT scores.
 

Kutztown University
Admissions Criteria:
(Community Service does not particularly enter decision)
1. Scholarship as evidenced by graduation from secondary school or equivalent preparation as determined by the credentials evaluation division of the PA Dept of Education
2. Multiple regression formula weighting the high school rank and SAT/ACT scores to determine a predicted grade point average for the applicant's freshman year.
3. SAT/ACT scores
4. Satisfactory character and personality traits are required, as well as proper attitudes and interests as determined by the high school principal, guidance director, or other school officials
5. Health Record form which includes info updating immunizations no later than the sixth week of the first semester attended
6. For admission to a special curriculum, the candidate may be required to take an appropriate aptitude test or supply further evidence of ability to succeed in his chosen field.

Scholarships and Awards: Scholarships page
Student Government Leadership Scholarship- Eligibility: min. GPA of 2.00, active member of SGA. Student must have demonstrated service to the university community and a record indicating good university citizenship and cooperation. Demonstrate evidence of leadership behavior and potential for future leadership by actively serving as: an officer in one or more of the student organizations directly affecting and enhancing the professional, social and/or personal lives of the university students and/or be an active member of a registered student org. at a level that is meaningful, influential, and makes a significant difference in the quality of the organization or activity and the achievements of the organization's goals.

Lafayette College 
Admissions Criteria:
Academic record, grades received, trends in grades, standardized testing, and letters of recommendation. Also, the student's co-curricular involvement, with special attention to the consistency of involvement as well as leadership roles. Community service is viewed quite favorably.

Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page
No scholarships are currently offered for which community service is a primary component, but involvement in community service is viewed positively in terms of a candidates character when considering students for the two major academic scholarships.

LaSalle University
Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page
20 half-tuition scholarships for academic merit and community service. Five for freshman class. Renewed annually, and the student must be willing to continue community involvement at LaSalle.

Lock Haven University
Admissions Criteria:
Academic curriculum (academic or college prep) and the grades achieved, SAT, participation in activities in and out of school, including community service.

Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page or http://www.lhup.edu/admissions/scholarships/index.htm

The following scholarships require some aspect of community service:
Croda Scholarship for Biology,
The Student Cooperative Council Scholarship,
The Dolores C. Lynch Scholarship,
The Mary Elizabeth Pera Memorial Scholarship, and
The Jean B. Robinson Memorial Scholarship
 

Lycoming College
Admissions Criteria:
Applicants are evaluated on the basis of their academic preparation, talents, and interests, as well as the college's capacity to help them achieve their educational objectives and career goals. Successful candidates have typically completed a college prep. program in high school which includes four years of English, three years math, two years foreign language, two years natural or physical science, three years social science, two years of academic electives. Successful candidates general place in the top two-fifths of their high school graduating class, and have better than average SAT/ACT scores. From time to time supplemental materials, as well as a personal interview, may be required.

Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page
Service Scholar Award- Upon successful completion of the term of service (6 hours of work per week throughout the academic year) student receives award of $2,500. The service scholar must maintain a GPA of 2.5 and an evaluation will be done at the end of the student's term of service for the awarding of the scholarship the following year. Responsibilities: Maintain a record of good citizenship and adequately fulfill the responsibilities of the Service Scholar position; participate in leadership development opportunities (LEAP, Campus Compact, etc); participate in the Lycoming community service class; assist with the coordination and administration of the Community Service Center and provide oversight for the development of community , volunteer, and service-learning opportunities for Lycoming students.

Messiah College
Admissions Criteria:
High School Transcript, Class Rank, SAT/ACT, Involvements-prefer leadership roles, examples include church, school, and community service.

Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page
Trustees' Scholarship for Excellence- Four full-tuition scholarships are awarded to freshmen who have already demonstrated truly exceptional scholarship, leadership and Christian character.
President's Scholarship for College Honors-Twenty-eight scholarships in the amount of one-third of tuition are awarded each year to entering freshmen who have demonstrated excellent scholarship, leadership, and Christian character.
Dean's Scholarship for Scholastic Leadership- Applicants must exhibit leadership in academic co-curricular, church, and/or community endeavors and/or good stewardship of talents in areas such as but not limited to art, music, student publications, community service, entrepreneurship, student government, writing, and theater. The amount can range from $1,000 to $2,500 per year and is renewable each year as long as the recipient exhibits a continuing leadership or stewardship of talents role at Messiah College and maintains a 2.8 GPA.

Millersville University
Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page
Betty J. Finney Community Service Award- awarded to a senior psychology student who has demonstrated outstanding community service relevant to the field of Psychology. Recipient must have attained a cum. QPA of 3.0.
P. Ressler-Suburban Cable Scholarship- awarded to a sophomore from Lancaster Co. with a core curriculum in Political Science who demonstrates service to the community and financial need.
Social Work Organization Award- awarded to a senior member of the Social Work Organization for service to the organization, the University, and the community. The recipient must have attained a cumulative QPA of 3.0.

Neumann College
Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page
No community service scholarships yet, but the college has many service learning programs through Campus Ministry
 

Peirce College
Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page
Academic Leadership Awards-Awarded to applicants who demonstrate academic excellence in their high school careers. To be eligible, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or better, submit two letters of recommendation, be accepted to Peirce College as a full-time student and complete the FAFSA form and the Peirce scholarship application. Community service is a component for this award.
Temple W. Abbott Scholarship-$2,500 awarded to a second-year full-time accounting or business administration major who has maintained a GPA of 3.0, and demonstrates financial need. This award is given to applicants who have demostrated leadership qualities during their high school careers. To be eligible, applicants must have a GPA of 2.5 or better, submit two letters of recommendation and show involvement in community, civic, or extracurricular activities in a leadership capacity.
Sultan Jihad Ahmad Scholarship- This award honors Sultan Jihad Ahmad, the son of the former executive director of the Mayor's Office of Community Services. His father waited nearly two years for justice in the slaying of his son, during which time he worked tenaciously to create awareness of senseless violence and to rid the community of guns. Out of the tragedy of his son's death came an outpouring of support from family friends for a campaign against violence through education and sensitivity. Ten scholarships of $500 will be granted to new students based on eligibility.
J. Linford Snyder Scholarship Fund- The criteria for awarding this $1,000 scholarship is a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better, full-time enrollment, involvement in school or community activities and financial aid.

The Pennsylvania State University
Scholarships and Awards:  Penn State Office of Student Aid - Scholarships
Schreyer Honors College-Awards freshman who are academically within the top 5% of their class. The service background of these students is taken into consideration. Penn State does not encourage creation of these scholarships. Community service information is not requested on the application. Students would be required to submit a separate scholarship application for consideration. Generally, the University prefers not to require students to submit applications for any type of scholarship consideration.

Point Park University
Admissions Criteria:
Class Rank, grades, SAT scores, extra-curricular activities. Community Service not a factor in the admissions process.

Scholarships and Awards:   Scholarships page
Community Service and Leadership- Students submit an essay explaining why they are entitled plus listing on their application their involvement in high school and community activity.
Presidential Scholarship- Community Service, academic performance, and interview required.

Rosemont College
Scholarships and Awards:  Determined by FAFSA, Scholarship page
Rosemont does not have scholarships for community service, but they are beginning to incorporate Service-Learning into their academic courses.
 

Saint Francis University
Admissions Criteria:
Transcript showing successful completion of at least 16 academic units of work earned at a secondary school approved by state and regional accrediting agencies, SAT scores, letter of recommendation.

Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page
Clares Student Merit Award- In recognition of service to the College and the community, participation in student programs and activities, maintenance of academic disciplinary standings.
Big John Riley Memorial Scholarship-Restricted to residents of Blair and Cambria counties who have been active in community and/or high school activities and personify the true spirit of volunteerism.

St. Joseph's University
Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page
Edward Brady, S.J. Service Scholarship-In memory of the Jesuit who established the Faith/Justice Institute on campus in 1976. This is a full tuition scholarship (this year $17000).

Slippery Rock University
Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page
Watson Family Scholarships-For Slippery Rock, Butler, Lawrence, or Allegheny County Area High School Graduates ranked in the top quarter of the high school class. Students must demonstrate leadership potential by activities and community service.

University of Pennsylvania
Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page
The Just in Case Scholarship-To provide renewable scholarships to financially needy freshman in the School of Arts and Sciences, with a preference for a student who has overcome personal adversity in order to attend Penn and has demonstrated compassion for others.

University of Pittsburgh
Admissions Criteria:
Class rank, quality of curriculum, SAT scores, appropriateness of curriculum to intended field of study, letters of recommendation. External factors taken into consideration include extracurricular activities involving leadership roles, volunteer work, community service, or work, or the development of a special talent or interest over an extended period of time.

Scholarships and Awards:   University scholarships & Outside scholarships
The primary basis of scholarship awards is academic, however, external factors are also taken into consideration.

Ursinus College
Admissions Criteria:
Strong HS curriculum and grades, standardized test, community service, recommendations, leadership, depth of activities, and writing samples.

Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page
Bomberger Scholarship-Leadership and community service. Recipients must have above average academic record. Awards up to $7500
Thomas Driscoll Endowed Scholarship-To seniors who demonstrate academic potential, patriotism, and community service.
Markey Endowed Scholarship-To business major who has demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, and community service.
 

Villanova University
Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page
Thomas Driscoll Endowed Scholarship-To seniors who demonstrate academic potential, patriotism, and community service
Markey Endowed Scholarship-To business major who has demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, and community service.

Washington and Jefferson College
Admissions Criteria:
Student's transcript, standardized test scores, personal statement, and extracurricular activities are reviewed, including clubs, organizations, athletics, and volunteer or community service.

Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page
Currently we do not offer any scholarships specifically for community service, but Community Service is a component for the Dean's Award.

Waynesburg University
Admissions Criteria:
1. Graduation from an accredited high school or evidence of satisfactory work at another college.
2. Satisfactory grade point average and satisfactory rank in high school graduating class.
3. Satisfactory scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test ( SAT I: Reasoning Test) of the College Entrance Examination Board or the American College testing Program (ACT)
*Service Learning is part of Waynesburg's core curriculum. Students receive one to three credits and complete 30 hours or more during their four years at Waynesburg.
**Waynesburg is a Bonner Scholar College in which 80 Bonners complete 8 hours of community service each week. Additionally, freshmen students are required to participate in a service program the summer after their freshman year. These scholarships are annual awards of $1,950-$3,050, renewable for four consecutive years contingent upon the fulfillment of program requirements.

Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page
Leadership Scholarship-Has a component of community service within the guidelines. This program is designed to reward previous leadership and to promote future leadership at Waynesburg College. To be eligible, students must have a high school cumulative GPA of 3.0 and must have made significant contributions in co-curricular and service activities. Leadership Scholarships are awards of $1,000 the freshman year, $1,200 the sophomore year, $1,400 the junior year, and $1,600 the senior year.

West Chester University
Admissions Criteria:
HS performance (strength and depth of program, grades, GPA, class rank, test scores, essay, potential for success).

Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page
No Scholarships for community service at this point.

Westminster College
Admissions Criteria:  Scholarships page (scroll through menu on left)
Community service is not criteria for admissions, but is a requirement for graduation.

Scholarships and Awards:
None of the scholarships offered at Westminster has a community service component.
 

Wilkes University
Admissions Criteria: 
Prep coursework, (preference to AP and honors classes) HS class rank, SAT, Motivation (co-curricular activities within the school, community and/or church), recommendations, and GPA. Wilkes views community service with high regard (students complete approx. 20,000 hours of community service annually).

Scholarships and Awards:  Financial aid & Scholarships page
Multicultural scholarship, open to all students, places emphasis on community service as a selection criteria and uses community service as a renewal requirement.

Wilson College
Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page (scroll to bottom for links)
Curran Scholars-Assists students with a past record of community service and outstanding academic ability. Students must volunteer 260 hours per academic year at local churches or service agencies. They are also required to take classes in religion and/or philosophy. The scholarships free the recipients from contemporary financial aid requirements of work/study employment and student loans.

York College
Admissions Criteria:
Decisions are based upon a formula which takes into account high school performance and SAT scores, as well as the personal character and qualities of the applicant.

Scholarships and Awards:  Scholarships page
York College Community Service Scholarship- One-third tuition scholarships are awarded to up to five entering students who have demonstrated records of leadership participation in charitable, civic, and community service activities. Such participation should model the ideal of citizenship as voluntary commitment of time to service projects and other initiatives aimed at helping to meet human needs, address public policy issues, or improve community life. The scholarship shall be renewable for up to four years of study, in accordance with renewal criteria for need-based financial aid and evidence of sustained involvement in relevant service activities.