Scholarship opportunities

Growing up in an abusive home can make it hard to imagine a stable future, especially when it comes to paying for school. This page gathers scholarships and financial aid programs created to support young people who’ve experienced abuse, neglect, or other difficult home situations. Each one is a step toward building a safer, stronger future.

• Fight Against Domestic Violence Scholarship

  • This scholarship is awarded to a student impacted by domestic violence in their life or who has a substantial interest in implementing solutions to these issues and protecting others against domestic abuse, harassment, and other forms of family violence

  • Deadlines: April 6

  • ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

    • Must be at least 18 years old.

    • U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.

    • Enrolled in or accepted to an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university.

  • https://www.accesslex.org/scholarship/fight-against-domestic-violence-scholarship#:~:text=This%20scholarship%20is%20awarded%20to,other%20forms%20of%20family_%20violence.

• David Malcolm Scholarship

  • The David Malcolm Scholarship is for students who have overcome obstacles to educational achievement – personal, family, demographic, or situational – and require help to continue on the path to success. Eligible applicants are high school seniors or college students who have already shown perseverance in pursuing a college degree. They will clearly show how this scholarship will make a difference in realizing success.

  • Award Amount: $2,500 to assist with educational expenses

  • Purpose: Supports students who have demonstrated remarkable determination to pursue higher education despite personal, demographic, or situational challenges

  • Deadline: November 30th

  • ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

    • Open to high school seniors accepted into an accredited college or university and current full-time college students

    • Minimum GPA: 3.5

  • https://www.scholarships.com/scholarships/david-malcolm-scholarship

• Amanda Reed Memorial Scholarship

  • The purpose of the Amanda Reed Memorial Scholarship is to provide educational resources for graduating seniors within Boone, Stephenson, and Winnebago County who have a commitment to ending teen dating violence and/or domestic abuse. Applicants must answer the essay prompt: "How have you addressed the problem of domestic violence, and what impact has your work had in your community?"

  • ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

    • Applicants must: be a graduate or graduating senior from a public or private high school located within Boone, Ogle, Stephenson or Winnebago County; reflect Amanda’s compassionate and caring nature; and demonstrate a commitment to domestic violence prevention in their school or the wider community through volunteering, advocacy, projects, or other activities

    • Strong preference will be given to applicants who provide a reference from someone familiar with their work in domestic violence prevention, such as a volunteer site supervisor. 

  • https://www.scholarships.com/scholarships/amanda-reed-memorial-scholarship

• Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship

  • The Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship Program was established to recruit students in the 10th and 11th grades whose socio-economic backgrounds and environmental conditions may inhibit their ability to attain educational goals

  • ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

    • Eligible applicants must reside in Massachusetts 

    • Eligible applicants must be a U.S. citizen or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regulations

    • Eligible applicants must be in compliance with selective service registration

    • Eligible applicants must not be in default of any loans

    • Eligible applicants must demonstrate difficult personal circumstances, high financial need, and strong academic promise to continue education beyond the secondary level

    • Eligible applicants must have a 2.5 GPA; and plan on attending a college/university in Massachusetts

  • https://www.scholarships.com/scholarships/christian-a-herter-memorial-scholarship

• Doves Hope Domestic Violence Scholarship

  • Doves offers scholarship opportunities for survivors of domestic violence. Through this program, survivors can submit essays that reflect on their journey, the impact of abuse, and the importance of healing and empowerment.

  • Scholarships of up to $2,500 are awarded annually

  • Supports survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking

  • Funds can be used for tuition at accredited colleges, trade schools, or universities

  • Encourages essays that inspire hope, raise awareness, and foster positive change

  • ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

    • Must be an Illinois resident

    • Must be currently enrolled in or accepted into an accredited college, trade school, or university

    • Must submit a transcript or acceptance letter along with the completed application and essay

    • Applicants must identify in one or more of the following ways:

      • As a victim/survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking

      • As someone affected by domestic violence (e.g., a child who witnessed domestic violence, a nonviolent caregiver)

      • As someone with a demonstrated desire to work in the domestic/sexual violence field

• Hendrick Scholarship Foundation

  • This scholarship program is seeking to support Plano ISD students who persevered to overcome significant adversity, and have financial need, who are motivated and academically capable of successfully earning a college degree. 

  • Students may apply starting on December 1st.

  • ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

    • Must be a current high school senior attending a Plano ISD school

    • Must have a minimum weighted GPA of 3.0

    • Must demonstrate financial need through FAFSA Estimator or TASFA results

    • Must show perseverance through adversity and a strong desire to attend college

    • Must submit one letter of recommendation from someone outside your academic life (not a family member)

    • Must use a personal (non-school) email address for application correspondence

  • https://www.scholarships.com/scholarships/hendrick-scholarship-foundation

• Laila Uthman Scholarship

  • The Laila Uthman Scholarship supports graduating seniors at Oceana High School who have overcome academic and personal difficulties or who have shown unusual concern for those less fortunate

  • ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

    • Applicants must be planning to enroll in community college, four-year university, or vocational school on a part - or full-time basis

• ROB Foundation Scholarship

  • The ROB Foundation Scholarship supports students who have experienced the profound loss of a parent or primary legal guardian and are pursuing higher education at a college, university, or trade school. The foundation aims to honor those we have lost, overcome adversity, and build a brighter future. Up to ten $2,500 awards will be granted to students who meet the criteria and whose essays reflect the foundation’s mission. 

  • Applications are accepted from March 1 through April 30th

  • ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

    • Must be a current high school senior or enrolled in a college, university, or trade school with at least one full academic year remaining.

    • Must have at least one deceased parent or primary legal guardian, with proof of death required in the application.

    • Must be a resident of North Carolina or South Carolina. If already in college, a parent or legal guardian must still reside in one of these states.

    • Must submit a Student Reflection essay and one Letter of Recommendation

• Many other scholarship opportunities can be found in sites like these:

  • https://bold.org/scholarships/by-demographics/mental-health-scholarships/

  • https://vawnet.org/sites/default/files/assets/files/2019-06/NRCDV_GrantsforSurvivorsandAdvocates-June2019.pdf

  • https://www.gfwc.org/scholarship/