Teaching values like togetherness and helping others is a key part of building the foundation to a humanitarian, egalitarian society. To encourage such community-oriented selflessness and volunteerism, Zakat Foundation of America has set aside $20,000 in scholarships for high school seniors entering college who have volunteered with the organization or engaged in community service. 

California is one of six regions that will receive several $500 scholarships to provide to both applicant categories (Zakat Foundation volunteers and community service volunteers).

This scholarship opportunity is to directly reward community service performed by students as community service provides students with the opportunity to become active participants in their communities. The humanitarian nonprofit organization plans to distribute scholarships to volunteers in different regions throughout the United States where it has a strong presence.

Students will have to fill out a form, provide a reference, summarize the community service they’ve done, and indicate which college or university they got accepted into as scholarship money goes directly to their two- or four-year school. The two categories for applicants are Zakat Foundation volunteer and community service volunteer. Applications close May 10, and can be found at https://tinyurl.com/nk7nxswh.

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The California Armenian Legislative Caucus is holding two scholarship contests for the 2021 commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. California high school students in ninth through 12^th grade are invited to participate in an essay contest and/or a visual arts contest to increase greater awareness of the Armenian Genocide on its anniversary.  

All winners will be contacted directly and awarded scholarships and a trip to the state Capitol in Sacramento to be acknowledged at the California Armenian Legislative Caucus’ annual Armenian Advocacy Day on Monday, April 26 and receive special recognition from the members of the Armenian Caucus. Original artwork will be requested from visual arts applicants if they are selected as a finalist, for possible display in the California State Capitol.

**Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this may not be an in-person event. Final details will be given closer to the event date. 

Criteria for each contest are detailed below. Students may enter both contests, but submissions must be entered separately.

Essay Scholarship Awards: first place: $1,000; second place: $750; third place: $500.

Visual Art Scholarship Awards: first place: $1,000; second place: $750; third place: $500

Submission deadline for both contests is Friday, April 9. Any submissions sent after the deadline will not be accepted.

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California Credit Union in Glendale invites college-bound students in Los Angeles County to apply for its 2021 College Scholarship Program. Through the program, the credit union provides $20,000 in scholarships annually to recognize Southern California students who are motivated in their academic studies and active in their schools and communities.

Los Angeles area college-bound high school seniors and community college students transferring to a four-year university who maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 are eligible to participate. Selection criteria include academic performance, school or community involvement, a letter of recommendation, and an essay submission.

Interested students can find more information and apply online at ccu.com/scholarship2021. Online applications will be accepted through March 26. Recipients will be announced on April 16.