Lansing Community College

External scholarships are financial awards offered by organizations, community foundations, search sites, businesses, and community groups outside of the college. These opportunities can help students cover tuition, books, fees, and other education-related expenses. Unlike federal or institutional aid, external scholarships are competitive awards that typically require students to apply directly to the sponsoring organization.

The Lansing Community College Financial Aid Office encourages students to regularly search scholarship databases, check with local community foundations, and review opportunities offered by professional associations or employers.

Featured External Scholarship

Sallie Mae offers a $2000 No Essay Scholarship on their salliemae.com website each month! Applying is easy! Go to Sallie Mae No Essay Scholarship.

Tips for Applying for External Scholarships

Start early and stay organized
Scholarship deadlines can vary throughout the year. Create a calendar or checklist to track application due dates, required materials, and submission methods.

Apply for more than one scholarship
Smaller awards can add up. Applying to multiple scholarships increases your chances of receiving funding and helps reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Read eligibility requirements carefully
Make sure you meet all criteria before applying, including enrollment status, GPA, program of study, residency requirements, and application deadline.

Request recommendations early
If letters of recommendation are required, ask well in advance and provide your recommender with deadlines and helpful background information.

Proofread everything
Spelling and grammar matter. Review your application carefully and ask someone you trust to proofread before submitting.

Follow directions to ensure accuracy
Incomplete applications or missing documents may disqualify you. Submit all required materials in the format requested.

Keep copies of everything
Save essays, confirmation emails, and submitted documents—you may be able to reuse or adapt them for future applications.

Avoid Scams
Students should remain cautious of scholarship scams. Legitimate scholarships do not require payment to apply, search for opportunities, or receive an award. If an organization asks for money, payment information, or charges a processing or application fee in order to award a scholarship, it is likely a scam.
Always research scholarship opportunities carefully and apply only through trusted sources. Lansing Community College encourages students to utilize reputable scholarship search tools as well as the college’s official scholarship offerings.

Community Foundations

Community foundation scholarships are financial aid opportunities funded by local donors and managed by regional public charities to support residents with education costs. These scholarships often focus on residents of a specific city or county, and cover graduating high school seniors, students pursuing skilled trades, or adults returning to school. 

Scholarship Search Sites 

Scholarship search sites are online databases and matching tools that help students find, filter, and apply for financial aid, including merit-based and need-based scholarships by matching profiles that applicants create to tailored opportunities, often offering tools to track applications and reduce student loan debt. 


External Scholarship Resources

Many external scholarships are based on academic achievement, financial need, career interests, community involvement, or personal background. They vary in eligibility criteria, award amounts, and application deadlines.