Ripple Effect Scholarship

Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia is proud to offer the 2026 Ripple Effect Scholarship, which supports students whose families were deeply affected by a parent becoming impaired after a car accident. This scholarship recognizes the far-reaching emotional, financial, and educational challenges that follow when a household must rely on Social Security Disability benefits.

Applicants are invited to share their personal experiences navigating these challenges and reflect on how public support programs can better serve families facing long-term disability. Through this scholarship, Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia aim to amplify student voices and encourage meaningful conversation around access, stability, and systemic support.

Eligibility

• The scholarship is open to any current high school senior, vocational student, college student or graduate student who is a legal resident of the United States residing in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia and who is enrolled in a vocational program or two to four year post-secondary institution.
• Employees of Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia, their immediate families (parent, child, sibling, and spouse), and persons living in the same households of such individuals (whether related or not), are not eligible to participate in the competition.
• Candidates for this scholarship should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher and be in good overall academic standing.

Application Requirements

• The candidate must submit a 750-1,000 word essay response to the prompt: When a parent goes from provider to patient because of a car accident, this creates a ripple effect through the entire family. Explore how your parents’ disability and reliance on SSD benefits affected your emotional, financial, and educational outlook. Discuss the challenges you and your family faced and how public support programs can better serve families in need.
• Please note that all essays will be checked for AI writing. If AI writing is deemed present in the essay, the application will be denied.
• The candidate must submit a professional resumé that lists their experience, both professional and academic.
• The candidate must submit a transcript from their current school. First-year college students, graduate students, or individuals who have recently transferred schools may submit an unofficial transcript from their current school, as well as the most recent official transcript from their prior school. High school students can submit proof of acceptance to their college or university.
• Preference will be given to students either from or attending secondary school in the state.