Skip to main content

Scholarships for Outdoors Lovers

By U.S. News & World Report

Students who play sports or musical instruments as well as those who are academically strong have many scholarship and financial aid options easily available for them. However, many scholarships are also available for students with interests that extend beyond these areas.

For students who love nature — whether it’s hiking, animals or gardening and agriculture — this passion for the outdoors could earn them money for college. Although many scholarships are available for academically strong and athletically gifted students, there are many scholarships available for students with interests and skills that extend beyond these areas.

[Learn more about paying for college.]

Summer camp is one opportunity for kids to experience the outdoors, often including swimming, hiking and camp fires. From sleepaway camps to wilderness camps, the options are endless.

Some campers return to camp when they are older and work as counselors. For those who have gone from camper to camp counselor, there are scholarships that reward their dedication to the summer camp experience.

For example, camp counselors who have worked for two summers, with at least one as a camp counselor, at an American Camp Association-accredited summer camp in Northern California are eligible to apply for the Caldwell Foundation’s Camp Counselor Education Grant. This scholarship, which awards $1,000 toward college tuition, has an annual July 1 application deadline.

Rising college freshmen who have worked as camp counselors can also apply for the Camp Network Camp Counselor Appreciation Scholarship Program. This $1,000 scholarship for college tuition is open to any high school senior who is a U.S. citizen and is attending a U.S. high school. Applicants must also have a 3.0 GPA and, at the time of application, must anticipate completing their high school diploma.

To apply, students need to create a 3-5 minute video that explains their experience as a camp counselor and how they exhibit humility, passion, unity, servanthood and thankfulness. Applicants should also explain how they plan to use their college degrees. The application deadline is Nov. 1.

Students who have attended or worked at summer camps, whether specialty or traditional camps, should check with the camp directors and see if the camps offer any scholarships for campers or counselors. There may be scholarship opportunities that students aren’t aware of.

Students who have attended the Fundy Marine Science Institute Whale Camp, a marine biology summer camp in Nova Scotia, are eligible to apply for a college scholarship to the College of the Atlantic. To apply for the $40,000 scholarship, which is awarded over four years, students must have attended Whale Camp, have a recommendation from the Whale Camp director and have been accepted to the College of the Atlantic.

[Find college scholarships that reward a variety of hobbies.]

Much like the College of the Atlantic, colleges and universities around the country are recognizing the skills and experience that students develop by spending time outdoors, and they are providing ways to help these students succeed on campus.

The University of Montevallo, for example, offers the President’s Outdoor Scholars Program to students interested in wildlife and conservation, giving them the opportunity to further their study in this field. The program offers $1,000 to $3,000 yearly scholarships over four years to future and current students who maintain a 2.5 GPA.

Students who like both the outdoors and writing can apply for the Bodie McDowell Scholarship. The Outdoor Writers Association of America offers the scholarship anually to at least three students with career goals in outdoor communications.

Undergraduate students entering their junior or senior years and graduate students studying outdoor communications can apply for the scholarship, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.

Gardeners and agricultural students alike also have a number of scholarships available to them. Annie’s Sustainable Agriculture Scholarships, for example, are open to undergraduate and graduate students interested in sustainable and organic agriculture. Annie’s annually accepts applications between Nov. 2 and Jan. 5, with winners notified at the end of May.

Each year, the National Garden Clubs offers 35 scholarships in the amount of $3,500 to undergraduate juniors and seniors as well as graduate students who are U.S. citizens. Applicants must attend school full time and be majoring in in one of the approved fields of study, including agronomy, agriculture education, floriculture, horticulture, landscape design, forestry and other plant and environment-based fields.

[Earn college scholarships for going green.]

In addition to the scholarship application, applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, their academic record and resume, the financial aid form and a one-page letter discussing their background, career goals and financial need.

In addition to these scholarship opportunities, students should be sure to check with local organizations as well as with their high school or college to learn about other available scholarships related to their interests. Whether big or small awards, if the scholarship is only open to individuals involved in outdoor activities in a specific area, applicants’ chances of winning are even higher.

More from U.S. News

College Scholarships for Lesser-Known Sports

Tips on Compiling a Portfolio for Art Scholarships

Tips for Conducting a More Selective Scholarship Search

Scholarships for Outdoors Lovers originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related Stories

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote