Scholarship Application Process
Kids’ Chance of Pennsylvania (KCPA) makes a significant difference in the lives of affected Pennsylvania families by providing scholarship support to help eligible students pursue and achieve their higher educational goals.
Who is eligible for a scholarship?
To be eligible for a scholarship grant, applicants must have a custodial parent, stepparent, or guardian who has been killed or seriously injured as a result of a work-related accident that meets the criteria of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act and that has resulted in demonstrated financial need. Applicants must also meet the following requirements:
- Applicants must be enrolled in or planning to enroll in a postsecondary (post high school) degree or certificate-granting education – college/university, trade/vocational school – and will pursue an undergraduate degree, license or certification as a full-time or part-time student.
- Applicants must have achieved a high school diploma or GED by the time of the first disbursement of the scholarship award. However, High School Seniors enrolled in dual college coursework will be considered for eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
- Applicants must be no older than age 25 at the time the scholarship is awarded.
- Applicants may not have already attained a bachelor’s degree.
- Applicants in graduate level programs are ineligible.
- Applicants are eligible for the equivalent of up to 10 traditional (fall/spring) semesters of scholarship award.
How many scholarships are awarded?
The number and amount of scholarship grants awarded by Kids’ Chance of PA each year is dependent upon the number and eligibility of students who apply and available funds.
2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | |
Number of Awards | 48 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 53 | 53 | 56 |
Total Dollars | $145,000 | $158,500 | $184,000 | $186,500 | $175,000 | $186,500 | $164,250 |
Average Annual Award | $3,021 | $2,882 | $3,286 | $3,272 | $3,302 | $3,509 | $2,933 |
Kids’ Chance of PA also accesses matching educational grants for Kids’ Chance of PA scholarship recipients with remaining unmet financial need through our partnership with PATH, a program of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and American Educational Services. The future generosity of Kids’ Chance of PA donors will allow us to continue to leverage additional student grants through PATH.
Top applicants demonstrating both exceptional academic promise and significant financial need, may benefit from special scholarship awards provided by our Scholar Program Sponsors.
What documents are required?
We will need the following information from you, the applicant:
- Your 2025-26 FAFSA Submission Summary,
- Your 2025-26 Financial Aid Award Letter if you are a high school senior, or your Spring 2025 Student Account Statement if a current college student, and your latest Transcript.
- From your parents, we need documentation showing proof of compensable injury or death. Examples of acceptable PA Bureau Documents: Notice of Compensable Payable (LIBC 495), Agreement for Compensation for disability or permanent injury (LIBC 336), Agreement for Compensation for Death (LIBC 338), Compromise and Release Agreement (LIBC755), and Judge’s Decision awarding compensation benefits. NEW – you have the option to grant KCPA permission to access your workers’ compensation documentation from the PA Bureau of Workers’ Compensation if you don’t have the forms readily available.
All documents can be uploaded to the scholarship portal as they become available, and the final deadline for all documentation is June 10, 2025.
Scholarship recipients will be notified no later than September 2025.
If you have any questions, please contact Kathy at info@kidschanceofpa.org.