Kids' Chance of Florida Scholarship Application 2025-2026

The Kids’ Chance of Florida Scholarship Program awards scholarships to dependent children of a worker killed or seriously injured in a claim accepted as compensable under The Florida Workers’ Compensation Act (Chapter 440, Florida Statutes); the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. § 901 et seq.); or the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (5 U.S.C. Chapter 81). “A qualifying disabling injury must result in the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity by reason of any physical or mental impairment which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.” 

The Program is administered by the Kids’ Chance of Florida and is governed by Board of Directors representing a cross-section of the legal and workers compensation communities. 

Completed application packets and supporting documents submitted by the deadline defined on the Kids' Chance of Florida website. Application packets will not be accepted after the deadline. 

All applicants will be notified once the Kids’ Chance Scholarship Committee and Board of Directors make their decision. Scholarship money is limited and varies from year to year. Applying for this scholarship does not guarantee you a scholarship award, nor does it guarantee an award for any subsequent years. Kids’ Chance scholarship recipients must reapply each year.

Kids’ Chance of Florida provides educational scholarships to the children of Florida workers who have been seriously or fatally injured in work related accidents.

Pre-Qualifying Questions:

1. Are you a resident of Florida?

2. Have you been accepted for admission to an accredited Florida Technical School, College or University?

3. Are you the child of someone who suffered a serious or fatal accident at work?

4. Has that accident or disease been accepted as compensable (the employer or carrier is paying medical and lost wage benefits) under the Florida workers’ compensation law, the federal workers’ compensation law, or The Longshore and Harborworkers’ Act?

Basic Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a natural child, adopted child, or step-child dependent on a Florida worker seriously injured or killed in a claim compensable under The Florida Workers’ Compensation Act (Chapter 440, Florida Statutes); the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. § 901 et seq.), or the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (5 U.S.C. Chapter 81).

• Must be a Florida resident between the ages of 16 and 25. Proof of residency required.

• Must have a high school diploma, GED, or be a high school student in good standing. Academic achievement, aptitude, extracurricular activities, and community service of the applicant are considered.

• Must maintain a 2.5 GPA or equivalent. Must be pursuing a primary college or university degree (bachelor’s or associate’s) or vocational education and training (certificate or license) and have received a Letter of Acceptance from an accredited Florida university, community, technical or vocational college and/or state-approved proprietary school. Must demonstrate substantial financial need. 

• The applicant must meet standards set by the Board of Directors of Kids' Chance of Florida.

Expectations of Scholarship Recipients:

•Prompt response to requests from Florida Kids’ Chance office for documents, renewal applications, grade reports, etc.

•Maintenance of satisfactory grades of a cumulative “C” average or higher.

•Prompt notification of dropped classes or withdrawal from school with FL Prepaid and STARS scholarships.

•Cooperation is appreciated in attending Florida Kids’ Chance functions such as fund-raising events and seminars. (Attendance is not required but we encourage students to be willing to appear on our behalf and to promptly respond to calls from Kids' Chance of Florida staff).

• Submit a recent picture (Marketing Purposes).

Uses of Scholarship:

•Tuition, books, fees, and general living expenses.

•Scholarship tuition, books, fees, and living expenses are paid directly to the learning institution consistent with the institution’s instructions and protocol.

Materials You Will Need To Complete Your Application:

1. A Fully Completed Application.

2. Proof of Residency.

3. Proof that a parent was killed or seriously injured in a claim accepted as compensable under The Florida Workers’ Compensation Act (Chapter 440, Florida Statutes); the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. § 901 et seq.); or the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (5 U.S.C. Chapter 81).

4. Copy of one of the following documents (Birth Certificate, Drivers License or Passport).

5. Official school transcripts.

6. Official full-time college course schedule. 

7. Letter(s) of recommendation from either a teacher, a supervisor, a community leader, a guidance counselor.

8. Letter of acceptance to the school you will be attending with course schedule and your individual Student ID number.

9. Contact information for Financial/Scholarship office, to include, physical address where scholarship benefits will be mailed, phone number, and e-mail address.