Scholarships at a community college

There are virtually no scholarships from outside organizations for studying at community colleges, so it is important to do some good research on the costs and scholarship opportunities at the colleges you want to apply to. Below is more information about the different types of scholarships generally available to international students and where to find information about scholarships.

Types of scholarships

Merit-based scholarships

Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on your achievements. These include academic scholarships based on your grades and results on admission tests, or merit-based scholarships because you have a special talent. Special activities, such as doing a lot of volunteer work, can also earn you an extra scholarship. The university’s website will tell you what conditions you must meet to qualify for a merit-based scholarship. Sometimes you are automatically awarded a merit-based scholarship and sometimes you have to apply for it separately or audition first. You can find these scholarships at private and public universities.

Need-based scholarships

A small number of community colleges offer scholarships based on financial need, also called need-based aid. Keep in mind that these scholarships are given less frequently than at four-year universities. Financial need-based scholarships are often found at private universities.

Financial need-based scholarships consider family income and other financial obligations. Information about the application process can be found on the college’s own website. Keep in mind that in many cases you will need to submit tax forms or other income information. Be sure to apply before the earliest possible deadline. Need-based scholarships are scarce and universities often operate on a limited budget; the earlier you submit an application, the better your chances for a need-based scholarship.

To evaluate scholarship awards, the university uses the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), which is calculated from the financial information you provide. It is then determined what amount you can pay yourself and what needs to be supplemented by the university. Therefore, if you can pay the full cost, you are not eligible for a need-based scholarship.

Diversity

Most American universities consider it important to attract a diverse student population. Therefore, some universities also offer scholarships to students from certain backgrounds to increase diversity on campus. The criteria for these types of scholarships include gender, country of origin, ethnicity, religious affiliation, physical disabilities or learning disabilities, and having a particular talent.

Many universities, for example, offer scholarships to international students because they increase diversity on campus. An example of such a scholarship is the You Are Welcome Here Scholarship.

Students with American citizenship

Are you both a US and a Dutch national? International students with US nationality are often considered domestic students when applying, even if you have never lived in the US. You then often follow the application procedure for American students. You are also eligible for scholarships and loans for US students. You may also qualify for federal student loans, provided you are not borrowing in the Netherlands at the same time.

Sports scholarships

Sports are an important part of life at American colleges and universities. Consequently, a large number of universities have made funds available to provide athletic scholarships to talented students who perform well both academically and athletically. In addition to athletic scholarships at four-year universities, the NCJAA, the athletic association for community colleges, also provides athletic scholarships. Learn more about athletic scholarships and the recruitment process on the athletic scholarships page.

How can you find scholarships?

To get a better idea of university costs and which universities offer scholarships to international students, you can use search engines to filter universities by scholarship opportunities. These search engines have many filters that allow you to build a list of specific universities. In addition to filters such as university type, subject areas, test scores, location, sports and activities, you can also search by cost and scholarship opportunities. This way you can quickly see which universities have scholarship opportunities for international students.

Once you have made an initial selection, you can do a more focused search for scholarship opportunities on university websites. Always check the university’s own website to make sure the information is correct. The university itself always has the most up-to-date information.

if you have a question about scholarship opportunities, you can always email the university’s admissions office with your question. They are there not only to review your application, but also to help you find information related to your application.