<p>leicestermom, I don’t <em>think</em> there will be a problem with many merit-based (that is, not need-based) scholarships at private universities as long as you are permanent residents/green-card holders. I don’t remember seeing any qualifiers regarding citizenship on the merit scholarship portions of university web sites. At state universities, at least at the ones in our state, I believe citizenship may be a factor.</p>
<p>As I remember it, the National Merit Scholarship requires that awardees be citizens or be “in the process of obtaining citizenship”.</p>
<p>I’m surprised at the age restrictions you have come across for volunteer work. My daughter was volunteering in hospitals, animal shelters and at a therapeutic riding center (horses and children with special needs) since she was in junior high. However, this is a smaller town in a fairly unregulated state, and I’m sure this varies from place to place.</p>