Kids' Chance of New Jersey Scholarship

Kids’ Chance of New Jersey was created to provide scholarships for college and vocational education to children of New Jersey workers who have been fatally or catastrophically injured in a work-related accident. The hardships to children and families created by the death or serious disability of a parent often include financial ones, making it difficult for deserving young people to pursue their educational dreams.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

• A dependent of a parent who was seriously, catastrophically, or fatally injured in a work-related accident or  Occupational Disease
• The injured parent must have a New Jersey state-accepted workers’ compensation claim
• Must be between the ages of 18 – 26 years old at time of application
• Accepted or already enrolled at a University, College or Vocational school (Graduate-level Students are NOT eligible)
• Pursuing a degree, License or Certification as a [FULL-TIME or PART-TIME] student
• Must have already obtained a high school diploma or GED at time of first disbursement
• Must maintain a minimum of 2.0 Cumulative GPA

Complete Application Package Checklist

ALL the following documentation MUST accompany the application before consideration (Blackout social security numbers on all uploaded documentation)

• A completed Kids’ Chance of New Jersey, Inc. scholarship application
• Most current academic transcript available (unofficial transcripts are accepted)
• Copy of the Student Aid Report (SAR) you received from completing the FAFSA, with your Student Aid Index (SAI), formerly called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), IF you are attending a 2-year or 4-year college or university
• Documentation proving Injured parent has an accepted New Jersey workers’ compensation claim (eg. Workers’ Comp Determination Letter, Copies of WC checks, etc.)
• Current medical reports from the injured parent if claim has not been adjudicated
• A short Biographical Essay (3 paragraphs)
  • a) Your name, name of school, what year you’re in, major and educational/career goals
  • b) Brief description of parent’s accident and its financial & emotional impact on you and your family
  • c) How would a KCNJ scholarship help you achieve your educational goals.
• If accepted, you will be asked to Email a clear digital headshot of the applicant (to the Scholarship Administrator

Process

• Please complete the application to the best of your ability. You may need assistance to gather the necessary information.
• After initial review, the scholarship committee may contact eligible students to verify information or secure missing information. Please respond to our inquiries.
• The scholarship committee will determine the strength of each application and approve scholarships as funds allow.
• KCNJ will notify approved students of their award amount & verify enrollment
• If approved, student will upload their DETAILED Semester Invoice (Invoice must include: Student Name and ID#, School Name, ALL Charges & ALL Financial Aid) (Note: It is the student’s responsibility to provide invoices in a timely manner as it may take time for KCNJ to process award checks and for school to receive).
• KCNJ will send payment directly to the post-secondary institution. (KCNJ is NOT responsible for late fees or class cancellations for checks received after payment deadlines)