Act of Kindness Scholarship
Offered by National Parent Volunteer Association
About This Scholarship
The Act of Kindness Scholarship rewards something most scholarship applications never ask about: a single, concrete act of kindness. The National Parent Volunteer Association, the nonprofit behind the award, asks applicants to describe one act of kindness they performed and what it meant — in 150 words or fewer. That tight limit is deliberate. The judges want a specific moment, not a resume of service hours.
The award is $1,000, and eligibility is broad: high school juniors and seniors plus current undergraduate and graduate students at accredited U.S. institutions can apply, with a minimum 2.5 GPA. The NPVA runs several sibling awards on the same site (including the Aaliyah Lee and Altruism + All Good Deeds scholarships), so students who fit this one can often recycle their volunteer-focused material across multiple applications with the same sponsor.
Because the personal statement is so short, polish matters. A vivid, honest description of one act — who it helped, why you did it, what changed — will beat a generic paragraph about believing in kindness. Winners must supply transcripts and proof of enrollment after selection, so have those ready.
Eligibility
- High school junior or senior, or current undergraduate or graduate student
- Enrolled or planning to enroll (part-time or full-time) at an accredited U.S. college or university
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Committed to helping others in schools or communities
How To Apply
- Go to the Act of Kindness Scholarship page on parent-volunteer.org
- Write a personal statement of no more than 150 words describing an act of kindness you performed
- Submit the application form on the scholarship page by February 28, 2027
- If selected, provide an official transcript and proof of enrollment
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Act of Kindness Scholarship essay?
A maximum of 150 words. The sponsor notes this is a change from previous years, when the statement ran up to 250 words, so ignore older prep guides that cite the longer limit.
Who sponsors the Act of Kindness Scholarship?
The National Parent Volunteer Association, a nonprofit focused on parent and student volunteerism. It runs several $1,000 scholarships on its site, each with its own deadline.
Can graduate students apply?
Yes. The award is open to high school juniors and seniors as well as current undergraduate and graduate students with at least a 2.5 GPA.