Starting on April 26, 2026, scholarships for volunteers will be moving towards “Service-to-Career” paths. Many traditional ‘Spirit of Community’ awards have already ended their spring cycles, but there are still some high-value travel grants, social justice awards and government service credits available for the Autumn 2026 and 2027 sessions.
The following are the main opportunities for volunteers that are currently open or getting ready for the next window.
1. The Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund
This scholarship is the best award for students who are involved in movements for social and economic justice. It is made just for people who want to make the world a better place by volunteering their time.
- The Prize: Up to $15,000 a year.
- Current Status: Applications for the 2026/27 cycle just closed on April 1.
- • Planning for 2027: The portal for the 2027/28 school year will open in January 2027.
- Requirement: Show that you are an activist and need money. It helps students who go to college, university, or trade school.
2. The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award (USA)
This award gives AmeriCorps volunteers a big credit that they can use to pay for college or pay off student loans.
- The Award: It is based on the highest amount of money that a Pell Grant can give, which is about $7,395 for a full year of service in 2026/27.
- • The current status is that applications are open. You can apply to join an AmeriCorps programme at any time of the year.
- If the school processes U.S. federal student aid, you can use it at Title IV international schools in the UK, France, or Australia.
- Requirement: Completing a service term of 12 months or part-time.
3. The GVI Trust International Volunteer Scholarship
Specifically for young volunteers (ages 15–24) who want to get experience in the field while travelling abroad.
- The prize is up to £2,000 (about $2,500) a year.
- The current status is that applications are open.
- Focus: Designed to help students get certifications or accreditations while doing an international service program.They should consider your dependability, strength, and care during challenging situations.Focus: Designed to help students get certifications or accreditations while doing an international service program.
- You must be currently enrolled in school and show how the volunteer work will help you in your future career.
4. The Samuel Huntington Award for Public Service
A special stipend for college seniors who want to plan their own volunteer project anywhere in the world.
- The prize is a $15,000 stipend for a year of service.
- Current Status: The winners of the annual awards are usually chosen in early spring.
- Planning for 2027: Applications for the Class of 2027 usually open in October 2026.
- Focus: Open to all graduating seniors from accredited U.S. colleges who want to work in public service in the U.S. or abroad.
5. The African Union Youth Volunteer Corps (AU-YVC)
This initiative is the best volunteering programme for young Africans (ages 18 to 33) on the continent. It includes a fully funded placement.
- The Award: Full funding for a year-long deployment, including travel, insurance, and a monthly stipend.
- 2026 Status: The deadline for the 2026/2027 cycle was April 10, 2026.
- • 2027 Cycle: The next round of hiring is likely to start in early 2027.
6. Important 2026 Plan for Volunteer Scholarships
To obtain a scholarship based on your service, you need to keep accurate records of your “Hands-on Hours”:
- The Impact Log: In 2026, saying “helping out” isn’t enough. Write down your specific contributions, like “Managed a team of 10” or “Raised $2,000 for local clinics”.
- Service-Learning Credits: Find out if your school offers “Service-Learning” scholarships. In 2026, many schools give small grants (like $500 to $1,000) to students who volunteer in their community and keep a certain GPA.
- The “AmeriCorps” Abroad Hack: If you have a Segal Education Award, you can use it at hundreds of international universities that are recognised by the U.S. Department of Education. This lets you use your past volunteer work to pay for your study abroad.
- The Reference Letter: For grants that are based on volunteering, your references should be from a program coordinator or director, not just a friend. They should pay attention to how dependable, strong, and caring you are when things get tough.
7. A list of important deadlines (May/August 2026)
- GVI Trust Scholarship: Applications are open all the time.
- Ongoing AmeriCorps recruitment.
- August 15, 2026, is the deadline for the Ford Philanthropy Fellowship.
- Women Volunteers for Sara’s Wish Foundation: Opens on October 1, 2026.
- The Davis-Putter Fund will open in January 2027.