9 Scholarships for Students Who Lost a Parent

Here are the top scholarships for students who lost a parent.

When children grow up, their parents or guardians take care of their responsibilities. But when the parents died at the time, the children were still dependent, and life became highly challenging for them.

Dead Parent Scholarship

One of the most significant issues is education. They’ll find it tricky to pay for their studies, especially if the parents don’t have life insurance and have saved money for them.

If your parents are dead and you’re having trouble with academic sponsorship, don’t worry. There are scholarships for dead parents that you can explore to cover your schooling expenses.

As you read this article, you’ll encounter the list of bereavement scholarships. We’ll also highlight their eligibility criteria to help you secure one.

Scholarship for Students Who Lost a Parent

There are many scholarships open for students whose parents have passed away.

While the government offers some of these awards, others come from private hands, charities, and other non-governmental agencies.

Below are a few scholarships for students with deceased parents that you can take advantage of.

1. Army Scholarship Foundation Scholarships

If your parent died while serving or on active duty with the U.S. military, this scholarship is ideal for you.

It’s open to sons, daughters, or spouses of regular active duty, active duty Reserve, or active duty National Guard U.S. Army members.

You can apply for this grant if your parent received an honorable or medical discharge.

However, students must meet certain conditions before being eligible. To mention a few, you must be a high school senior, a high school graduate, or a registered undergrad student.

2. W. H. “Howie” McClennan Scholarship

The IAFF Foundation offers this financial support.

It’s awarded to children whose parents died in the line of duty to finance their secondary school education. The value of the financial aid ranges from $1,000 to $2,500 per year and may be renewable for up to four years.

Certain conditions must be met to be eligible for this funding. These include showing your academic achievement,  need for financial aid, and commitment to community service.

You must also submit two reference letters and an essay listing your goals and plans.

But that’s not all; you must also often demonstrate leadership skills, personal growth, and a positive contribution to society.

3. Diane Dawson Memorial Scholarship

Do you live in the Denver and Sacramento areas? Then, this financial aid is for you. It’s open to high school students who have lost a parent or guardian or who have a parent who’s battling a terminal illness.

The award aims to help learners facing difficult circumstances pursue their academic goals.

The scholarship covers books, tuition, and other academic expenses, around $1,000 to $3,000. However, students must meet specific criteria before being eligible for this financial aid.

First, they must show the need for financial assistance and have a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Students will also submit an essay outlining their educational and career plans and how their parents’ deaths have affected them and their future goals.

Moreover, students will be asked to present a death certificate or letter from the physician confirming their parent’s illness.

4. MedEvac Children’s Scholarship

You can also count on this financial aid for your education if your parents are ill. The award is designed for students whose parents were killed or seriously injured during an air medical/ground transport accident.

The scholarship is worth $5,000 to cover tuition and other schooling expenses.

To qualify for this funding, you must be enrolled in a university or vocational-technical school. Moreover, it would be best if you were the dependent of a transport crewmember who lost their life in an on-the-job transport accident.

5. Life Lessons Scholarship

College-bound learners whose parents have died can request this financial aid.

It’s designed to support senior students in a certified college or university in the fall of their senior year. The award’s value is between $1,000 and $15,000 and can be used to pay for college, books, fees, room, and board.

To qualify for this financial aid, you must be between 17 and 24 years old. You’ll also need to write essays or make videos about how the loss of a parent has impacted your life.

Moreover, students must show proof of their parent’s death, such as a death certificate, newspaper article, or obituary.

In addition to financial aid, recipients of this scholarship are offered mentorship and other resources to aid them in their academic journey.

6. James F. Byrnes Scholarship

This scholarship is open to learners with academic excellence who have lost their parents in South Carolina. Target beneficiaries are high school seniors and undergrad students who showcase their financial stability.

The scholarship’s worth is between $3,250 and $10,000 per year. You can use the amount to pay for academic expenses such as books, tuition, fees, and other living expenses.

In addition to financial aid, the scholarship includes mentorships, which help students become experts in their fields. That said, students must meet certain essentials before receiving this award.

One of them is to present an essay about their experiences with their parent’s deaths and their plans for the future.

7. Vera Yip Memorial Scholarship Award

high school seniors or college students with dead parents can apply for this financial aid to pay for their studies. The scholarship is worth around $500-$2,500 and may be renewable for up to four years.

It’s awarded to applicants who showcase their need for financial, educational attainment, and community involvement. You can use the money to cover books, living, and transportation expenses.

8. OFA/Casey Family Scholars Scholarship

Do you plan to attend college or technical school but lack sponsorship because your parents are dead? Then, this financial aid is yours. It’s designed to support students like you through school.

You can be awarded up to $12,500 to cover your academic expenses, such as books, tuition, transportation, board, etc.

However, certain conditions must be met before qualifying for this scholarship. First, describe a robust financial need and submit reference letters.

Moreover, you must submit the death report of their parents, proof of economic needs, a minimum GPA score of 3.0, and an essay depicting their commitment and career goals.

9. Levitt Comninos Carlotti Foundation Scholarship

You can also include this financial aid on your list. It’s given to students who have lost a parent due to death and are seeking an undergrad degree in any field of study.

Eligible students can get anything from $5000 to $10000 annually for five years.

In addition to financial aid, the foundation’s team of experts works closely with scholarship recipients to give mentorship and career guidance throughout their college years.

Students who have lost their parents in early childhood suffer from several issues, including financial problems. They virtually have no money to afford education and other educational expenses.

If you’re one of these students, you can explore some scholarships for dead parents above. Apply and make your education more affordable.