Berks County Community Foundation Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by Berks County Community Foundation
About This Scholarship
Berks County Community Foundation runs a universal scholarship application covering more than 130 scholarship opportunities for students in the Reading, Pennsylvania area. The application opens December 1 each year and closes February 1 — and the foundation is blunt that late applications are not accepted, no exceptions.
One portal account and a single form match students against every scholarship whose criteria they meet, with follow-up questions appearing on the applicant's dashboard for specific funds. Most scholarships serve Berks County high school seniors, but a meaningful share support nontraditional students and students already in college, so the application is worth an hour even for those years past graduation.
The foundation awarded $610,000 in scholarships in 2023, with decisions typically announced by April. The current application does not require FAFSA documentation, which removes a common early-winter bottleneck for seniors racing the February 1 deadline.
Eligibility
- Primarily students from Berks County, Pennsylvania (each scholarship has specific criteria based on the donor's intent)
- Most scholarships serve graduating high school seniors; others support nontraditional students and students already in higher education
- No FAFSA documentation is currently required for the foundation's scholarship opportunities
- Late applications are not accepted under any circumstances
How To Apply
- Create an account in the foundation's online portal using a personal email address — not a school address that may expire
- Complete the single universal application between December 1, 2026 and February 1, 2027
- Check your portal dashboard after submitting for follow-up questions attached to specific matched scholarships
- Watch for decisions, which are typically announced by April
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the application due?
The universal application opens December 1 and closes February 1 at 11:59 p.m. each year. The foundation does not accept late applications, no exceptions.
How many scholarships does one application cover?
More than 130 scholarship opportunities. The single form matches your answers against every scholarship you may qualify for, and follow-up questions appear on your dashboard for specific funds.
Do I need the FAFSA?
No. The foundation's currently offered scholarships do not require FAFSA documentation, though individual award criteria still vary by donor intent.