Top Merit Scholarships Rewarding Leadership and Community Service

How Leadership and Service Can Earn You Scholarships

Merit scholarships for leadership and service are valuable in reducing your out-of-pocket expenses. Here, we’ll feature 10 of the best scholarships you can consider. You’ll also learn the best ways to highlight your achievements in applications.

Why consider merit scholarships for leadership and service in the first place? These are free money that can offset your cost of college education. The average cost of attendance is $38,270/student/year, but it can be as high as $58,628/year (EDI, 2024).

But with college tuition inflation at 3.63% per year, on average, it will continue to rise. Between 2010 and 2023, the tuition cost at public colleges increased by 36.7% (EDI, 2024).

With merit scholarships, you have free money to pay for your college costs. Unlike student loans, there’s no need to repay them.

And speaking of student loans, you’re less likely to borrow when you have merit scholarships. This is a good thing, considering that the total average student debt is $41,520 (EDI, 2025). Being in debt has negative consequences, including delayed life and career milestones.

Indeed, when you use merit scholarships as intended, you can escape the debt trap. You’ll have greater financial freedom and career flexibility after graduation.

How can you earn merit scholarships for leadership and service? You must demonstrate your leadership skills, community service, and extracurricular participation.

These scholarships aren’t only about excellent grades, although these are considered, too. Instead, your active involvement in campus and community projects has more weight. Your ability to lead and inspire others and complete projects with impact makes you stand out.

In your applications, you want to present yourself as a well-rounded candidate. Yes, you have excellent grades that attest to your commitment to excellence. Better yet, you’re willing and able to make meaningful contributions to society.

A successful life, after all, isn’t about “me, myself, and I.”

What Are Merit Scholarships for Leadership and Service?

These are financial awards for students with exceptional leadership abilities and community service. The best ways to achieve said qualities are by:

• Joining student clubs and organizations and leading their programs and projects
• Being an inspiration to your peers and community members through acts of service
• Taking part in community events that make places and people’s lives better
• Initiating independent projects for your community’s betterment

Indeed, you become a preferred candidate because of your positive impact. 

On another note, need-based and merit-based scholarships are different. Need-based scholarships are based on financial need. Merit-based scholarships are based on merit, such as leadership and service. There’s no need to prove financial need (i.e., FAFSA and tax returns).

Look to colleges, nonprofits, charitable foundations, and corporations for these scholarships. You can also find them at government agencies. Check with the U.S. Department of Education, Department of State, and AmeriCorps.

Why do these organizations value leadership and community engagement among college students? Here are a few reasons why.

• Boost student engagement, resulting in a more vibrant campus life
• Improve the sense of inclusivity and community on the campus
• Encourage students to develop their soft skills vital for life and career success 
• Enhance the students’ career readiness and civic awareness 
• Increase retention and graduation rates that, in turn, boost the college’s reputation
• Boost the relationship between the college and the local community

Indeed, it isn’t only the students that enjoy the benefits of merit scholarships. The college and community enjoy these benefits, too.

Top Merit Scholarships Rewarding Leadership and Community Service

Coca-Cola Scholars Program

This is among the top merit scholarships for high school students in their senior year. Applicants must exhibit exceptional leadership and community service. Only 150 scholars receive $20,000 every year to finance their college education.

Other eligibility requirements include:

• Be a U.S. citizen or nationality with permanent residency, asylee or refugee, among others
• Must have a 3.0 GPA at the end of your junior year
• Plan on enrolling in college after high school graduation

The application cycle will open on August 1, 2025.

Equitable Excellence Scholarship

If you’re looking for high-value scholarships for student leaders, consider this one. The Equitable Foundation awards its Equitable Excellence Scholarship to students who:

• Have at least a 2.5 GPA
• Are current high school seniors
• Intend to enroll as full-time college students
• Have demonstrated leadership and service in their schools, community, or work

Only 100 students are chosen for the annual $5,000 award. Scholars can apply for renewal for up to four years or a total of $20,000 per student.

The application deadline is usually in December every year.

GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program

This is among the best community service scholarships for high school seniors, too. Applicants must exhibit outstanding leadership, citizenship, drive, and integrity.

Other eligibility requirements include:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be a current high school senior
• At least 3.0 GPA
• Plan to enroll as a full-time college student

Selected students receive $10,000 for an academic year. This scholarship is renewable for up to four years.

The application cycle typically starts on October 15 every year.

Burger King Scholars Program

The Burger King Foundation offers scholarships rewarding extracurricular activities and other achievements. Eligibility requirements include:

• High school seniors
• Burger King employees and their children and spouses/domestic partners
• Exhibit active participation and leadership in extracurriculars and community service
• Have a strong academic record (GPA requirements vary depending on the type of scholarship) 

Scholarship types are:

• Whopper Scholarships ($60,000)
• King Awards ($10,000)
• Regional Awards ($5,000)
• General Scholarships ($1,000)  

Applications are usually welcome from October 15 to December 15 every year.

Prudential Emerging Visionaries Program

Prudential Financial administers this national program for young leaders. Applicants meet these eligibility requirements:

• Be 14-18 years old.
• Present a work-in-progress project addressing social or financial community issues.
• Demonstrate its innovative approach, meaningful impact, and scalable feature.

Only 25 students receive $5,000 to advance their projects. There’s also a $10,000 grand prize for the financial solutions category. The Employees’ Choice Award winner gets $5,000 also.

The application period usually opens in the fall. Applications are typically due by early November.

Davidson Fellows Scholarship Program

This prestigious scholarship program recognizes students with high-impact projects. These are in several categories – STEM, Literature, Philosophy, and Outside the Box. Fellows highlight the positive impact of their projects on society.

Applicants must:

• Be 18 years old or younger as of application deadline
• Either be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Have completed a high-impact project

Teams of two are also welcome. Awards are $100,000, $50,000, and $25,000.

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship Programs

If you’re looking for many scholarship opportunities in a single program, this is it. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation offers the following:

• College Scholarship Program (High school seniors with at least 3.5 unweighted GPA. Award up to $55,000/year for college costs.)
• Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship (Community college students planning on completing their bachelor’s degrees. Award up to $55,000/year for up to three years.) 

Scholars also receive student support services and networking opportunities.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholarships

The RMHC Scholarship Program welcomes applications from exceptional high school seniors entering college. Eligibility requirements include:

• Be a US citizen or legal resident
• Under 21 years old and high school senior
• With at least a 2.7 cumulative GPA
• Plans to enroll in post-secondary school
• With $25,000 or less EFC and demonstrated financial need

Scholarship amounts vary. The average amount is $2,000/student/year. Application deadlines vary between RMHC regions.

Samuel Huntington Public Service Award

This one-time award is for eligible college students in their senior year. Applicants must provide a proposal for a public service project to qualify. The project can be domestic or international. But it must focus on leadership, community service, and social impact.

There are no GPA requirements. The award amount of $30,000 applies to a one-year project. You can use it for project expenses, travel, and living expenses.

Horatio Alger National Scholarship

Considered one of the country’s most generous scholarship programs, the Horatio Alger National Scholarship offers a $25,000 award. Applicants must demonstrate leadership, community service, and integrity. Critical financial need is also a crucial factor.

Other eligibility requirements include:

• U.S. citizenship
• Be a high school senior
• Active involvement in co-curricular, extracurricular, and community service activities
• At least 2.0 GPA

The application deadline is usually in October.

How to Highlight Your Leadership and Community Service in Applications

The steps in how to apply for merit-based scholarships are easy to follow, if you follow them.

First, read and understand the specific steps in the application process. Every scholarship program has its specific process and procedures, so read first.

Second, make a checklist of the step-by-step process so you can cross off each step. The steps can include the following:

• Complete the application form. Ensure that all the required fields have the correct and accurate information.
• Gather the mandatory supporting documents. Your resume, letters of recommendation, and scholarship essay are the typical documents.
• Submit your completed application form and required supporting documents on time.
• Follow up on your application, if possible.
• Express your gratitude for the opportunity.

These are the basic scholarship application tips. The more challenging part is making yourself a more competitive candidate. Here are useful tips to stand out from the rest.

Showcase your impact.

You can do so in your scholarship essay or personal statement.

• Tell your unique story instead of only listing your achievements.
• Highlight your personal growth as a result of your leadership and service experiences.
• Make a connection between your past experiences and future goals.

Then, during the interview, you can reinforce the impact you’ve made on your campus and community.

Submit strong recommendation letters.

Your letters of recommendation must speak of your abilities, strengths, and potential.

• Ask teachers, mentors, and community leaders who know you well enough. Be sure to request ASAP and give them ample time (i.e., 3-4 weeks) to write them.
• Provide your recommenders with vital information to create their letters of recommendation.
• Follow up at least one week before the application deadline.

Thank them for their time and effort, too.

Quantify your achievements.

Make your positive impact more credible and tangible by expressing them in numbers.

• Use a specific number to highlight your achievements. (Completed 200 hours of volunteer work at a local food bank)
• Highlight your leadership role. (Increased student participation in the environmental club by 50% as its president)
• Emphasize your results. (Organized a relief drive for LA fire victims and gathered 500 food boxes)

You may use bullet points to highlight your accomplishments.

Be sure to tailor your applications to every program’s goals, too. When applying for college scholarships for volunteers, highlight your community volunteer achievements.

Keep these tips in mind, too, so you can increase your chances of getting scholarships.

• Apply as early as possible.
• Take note of the deadlines. Avoid making last-minute submissions.
• Apply to as many merit scholarships as you can find.
• Build a strong résumé. Use clear headings and action verbs. Keep it brief (i.e., one page only).
• Practice for interviews. Mock interviews are best.

Throughout the application process, be true to yourself. Your sincerity about being a leader while also serving others will shine through.

Final Thoughts: Taking Advantage of Leadership and Service Scholarships

In conclusion, there’s plenty of financial aid for student leaders available. As a college student, your job is to seek out these opportunities actively. Even if you’re a highly accomplished student-leader, these aren’t handed out on a silver platter.

Winning merit scholarships isn’t only a matter of prestige. Merit scholarships for leadership and service make economic sense, too. You can cover part or all your tuition and fees, even your indirect costs, with these scholarships. In short, you’re financing your education with less money from your pockets.