Kids' Chance is a nationwide network of independent 501(c)(3) chapters — one in every state — that awards college and trade-school scholarships to the children of workers who were killed or catastrophically injured in a workplace accident covered by workers' compensation. Since its founding in 1988, the network has awarded more than $42 million to over 11,000 students. Eligibility starts with having a workers' compensation claim number tied to a parent's injury or death; each state chapter then sets its own additional rules on age range (commonly 16-25), GPA, financial need, and award amount. Applicants typically submit transcripts, a personal essay about the injury's impact and their educational goals, and a character reference through their own state's Kids' Chance organization rather than one national portal.
Eligibility
DemographicsFor dependent children of workers killed or catastrophically/permanently injured in a work-related accident covered by workers' compensation; apply through your own state's Kids' Chance chapter (a chapter exists in all 50 states).
Applying
Varies widely by state chapter. Example: Pennsylvania's 2025-26 cycle averaged $5,079/award across 38 scholarships, $193,000 total.