Community volunteers awarded with scholarships for college

Community volunteers awarded with scholarships for college

Despite the rising cost of higher education, many students are able to afford college with the help of financial aid. Learners may be unaware that they qualify for scholarships or grants, which are often awarded to individuals who have outstanding characteristics.

For example, Scholarship America, a financial assistance program that helps support aspiring students, recently announced the winners of the several tuition assistance awards. These include the Dollars for Scholars Chapter of the Year, New Chapter of the Year, Volunteer of the Year awards and Student Volunteer of the Year award.

Dollars for Scholars is a national program within Scholarship America that seeks to award volunteers who help their communities and display academic achievement with tuition support for postsecondary education. The program is made possible with support from 1,140 grassroots scholarship foundations in more than 40 states.

Each Chapter winner receives a $1,000 award and the National Student Volunteer award recipient is given $6,000

"We are thrilled to have such outstanding individuals sharing their time and talents with Dollars for Scholars, and it's with great pleasure that we honor them with these prestigious awards," said Lauren Segal, president and CEO of Scholarship America.

According to recent date from government scholarship foundation, Sallie Mae, more than $168 billion in scholarships was awarded during the 2008-2008 academic year.

By Mark Danson