Pinnacol Foundation Scholarships

We know that when a parent is seriously injured in an accident, life suddenly becomes a lot harder for the whole family. That's why we created our scholarship program — to ensure that despite things beyond your control, you still have an opportunity to pursue your academic goals.

Pinnacol Foundation scholarships may be used for four-year, two-year or trade programs at accredited colleges, universities, community colleges and vocational schools. They average $4,700 per student per year, and may only be used for the costs of attending school.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for a Pinnacol Foundation scholarship, you must:

• Be the natural child, adopted child, stepchild or full dependent of a worker who was injured or lost their life in a compensable work-related accident during the course and scope of employment with a Colorado-based employer and was entitled to receive benefits under the Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act. It doesn’t matter which insurance company covered your parent’s claim.
• Be between the ages of 16 and 25 at the time of the application deadline
• Have and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Have a high school diploma or GED, or be a high school senior
• Submit a complete application
• Reapply each year

Application process

We're here to help.

The application period is Nov. 1 to Feb. 15. Applying for the Pinnacol Foundation Scholarship is a competitive process and not everyone is awarded a scholarship. If you have questions or would like help with your application, please let us know.

New applicants

If this is the first time you are applying for a Pinnacol Foundation scholarship, you must submit the following:

• Completed application
• Most recent cumulative grade transcript (does not have to be official): high school transcript, GED certificate or college transcript
• Student Aid Report (SAR) from completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Information about your volunteer, extracurricular and employment experiences
• Personal essay
• Documentation of your parent's workplace injury, including a First Report of Injury and a Final Admission of Liability (if the claim is closed) or a General Admission of Liability (if the claim is still open). These are official insurance documents. If your parent's injury was fatal, an official death certificate is required. If you have a sibling who has previously applied for the scholarship and supplied this information, you do not need to submit these documents.

Returning applicants

If you are a returning applicant for a Pinnacol Foundation scholarship, you must submit the following:

• Completed renewal application
• Most recent cumulative grade transcript (does not have to be official)
• A written update on your progress toward graduation, including your current academic standing
• Any new information or updates about your volunteer, extracurricular and employment experiences

Visit the United States Department of Accreditation directory to make sure that your school of choice is accredited. If you are attending a vocational school, contact the Pinnacol Foundation to discuss the status of your chosen institution. Scholarships can only be used at schools in the United States.