Turn on the TV or open your laptop and you’re likely to see news of celebrities lending their star power to causes they care about. From fighting malaria to ending bullying, celebrities can make a difference for good, now and in the future.
The gift of education is one that impacts individuals for a lifetime, and a number of celebrities have joined the movement. The Scholarship Coach has gathered several college scholarships from celebrities to help you fund your postsecondary education.
Michael Jackson donated millions of dollars to charities over his decades as a singer, including to scholarships. In 1986, he donated $1.5 million to the United Negro College Fund, which continues to award scholarships in his name.
[See the U.S. News rankings of historically black colleges and universities.]
Today, students who plan to or currently study communication arts or social sciences at one of the fund’s member schools are eligible to apply for the Michael Jackson Scholarship. Check the fund’s website for the full list of member colleges and universities.
Last year’s award included scholarships worth up to $5,000, depending on financial need. Although the 2014 application recently closed, check back soon for updated program information.
For singer Tony Bennett, giving back comes with his work in the public eye. In addition to founding a performing arts high school in New York, Bennett awards scholarships through his organization, Exploring the Arts, a nonprofit that seeks to strengthen the role of the arts in high school education.
One of those awards, the Tony Bennett College Scholarship, provided $5,000 and $10,000 scholarships in 2014 to graduating high school seniors to pay for their first year of college. Students who attend one of 17 partner schools in New York or Los Angeles can apply for next year’s award.
[Learn more about how to pay for a college education.]
Former professional baseball player Derek Jeter may have recently hung up his jersey, but that hasn’t stopped him from investing in the next generation of leaders. In the early 1990s, the New York Yankees drafted Jeter straight out of Kalamazoo Central High School.
In honor of his years in the Michigan city, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation administers the Derek Jeter Scholarship, which was started by Jeter’s foundation, Turn 2.
Graduating high school seniors from Kalamazoo County can apply for the $1,000 renewable award. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA and 21 ACT score. Winners will be selected based on school and community leadership, especially in activities that advocate abstinence from drug and alcohol use and promote a healthy lifestyle. The next deadline is March 31.
[Get tips on finding scholarships through professional associations.]
Travel further west, and students in Nebraska can benefit from the Omaha ties that billionaire investor Warren Buffett maintains in the area. The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, founded 50 years ago by Buffett and renamed in 2004 in honor of his late wife, is headquartered in Omaha and offers scholarships to Nebraska high school graduates.
The Susan T. Buffett Scholarship is offering $2,400 to $8,500 for full-time students in the 2014-2015 academic year, depending on which school a scholarship recipient attends. If you’re interested in applying, the website has lots of helpful information, including FAQs about transcripts and application details.
To qualify for the program, you’ll need to have at least a 2.5 GPA, be a first-time freshman entering college, have financial need and plan to attend a Nebraska institution. The deadline is Feb. 1.
Finally, be sure to check out our post from a couple of years ago on celebrity scholarships. There are even more award opportunities listed, with the majority still offered today.
More from U.S. News
Use Thanksgiving Break to Indulge in Culinary Skills Scholarships
Find Scholarships That Benefit Veterans’ Children, Families
Reach for the Stars With Space Science Scholarships
Scholarships From Celebrities Can Fuel a Stellar Education originally appeared on usnews.com