Since the pursuit of education is one of the most vital parts of healing, empowerment, self-esteem, and independence, many public and private organizations have established scholarships for survivors of crime to help get on the right track to a brighter future.

Due to the devastating impact of violent crimes on human development, many victims often suffer from long-term effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiousness, fearfulness, and other disturbing symptoms that make it difficult to function, let alone pursue a degree. Luckily, the following are 25 of the best scholarship opportunities that are available to provide crime survivors with the financial support and resources for recovery in pursuing their dreams.

1. Alice Barton Memorial Scholarship Program

Deadline: December 6th

Founded by the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence in honor of a well-known trial attorney and long-time supporter who survived domestic abuse, the Alice Barton Memorial Scholarship Program is designed to provide $1,000 to individual survivors of domestic violence in support of their education and/or job training efforts. Preference will be given to survivor applicants seeking their first college degree or technical job training and who have been referred by a local domestic violence program in Iowa.

Contact

Alice Barton Memorial Scholarship Program

3030 Merle Hay Road

Des Moines, IA 50310

(515) 244-8028

liza@icadv.org

Scholarship Link

2. Removed by editor.

3. American Police Family Survivors Fund Scholarships

Deadline: March 31st

Each year, the American Federation of Police and Concerned Citizens (AFP&CC) offers the American Police Family Survivors Fund Scholarships for up to $4,000 for surviving sons and daughters of police officers tragically killed in the line of duty to attend a traditional four-year college or university in the United States. Eligible survivors must be enrolled in a minimum of six credits, maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, and submit an official school transcript.

Contact

American Police Family Survivors Fund Scholarships

6350 Horizon Drive

Titusville, FL 32780

(321) 261-0911

loris@aphf.org

4. Arellano Scholarship for Survivors of Domestic Violence

Deadline: February 1st

At Arizona State University, the Arellano Scholarship for Survivors of Domestic Violence offers up to $2,000 to survivors of domestic violence who have been admitted to enroll as a full-time undergraduate student with at least 12 credit hours per semester at ASU. Qualified candidates must provide a letter of verification from a counselor or clergy member, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, demonstrate financial need, and exhibit potential to continue with their college career in good standing.

Contact

Arellano Scholarship for Survivors of Domestic Violence

P.O. Box 2260

Tempe, AZ 85280

(480) 965-2041

seo@asu.edu

5. Catina Rose Memorial Foundation Scholarship

Deadline: May 31st

Sponsored by the Crime Victims United Charitable Foundation in honor of a brave young woman who was molested and later testified in court against her molester, the Catina Rose Memorial Foundation Scholarship is designed to assist young people who have are victim survivors of crime in affording higher education so that they may continue to heal. Applicants must be active in community service, be between the ages of 17 and 25, have no arrests or convictions, and have legal U.S. citizenship.

Contact

Catina Rose Memorial Foundation Scholarship

11400 Atwood Road

Auburn, CA 95603

(530) 885-9544

mail@crimevictimsunited.com

6. Children Impacted By Crime Scholarship Fund

Deadline: June 1st

With the goal of helping children whose life experiences place their educational opportunities in peril jeopardy, the Children Impacted By Crime Scholarship Fund awards multiple scholarships for up to $1,000 each to children who have been victimized by crime, either themselves or a member of their immediately family. Qualified candidates must be pursuing a degree at a two or four-year U.S. institution full-time, be 18 years old or over, and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better.

Contact

Children Impacted By Crime Scholarship Fund

P.O. Box 10-S

Edgewater, FL 32132

(386) 202-4225

Scholarship Link

7. David B. Wright Memorial Foundation Scholarship

Deadline: April 10th

In memory of a cabinetmaker and a Marine Corps veteran who was fatally shot as the victim of a robbery attempt in 2009, the David B. Wright Memorial Foundation Scholarship is granted annually to provide financial support to survivors of violent crime and their families for pursuing a higher education degree for a brighter future. Preference will be given to extraordinary college-bound students who are majoring in the areas of human services, counseling, mathematics, science, engineering, or carpentry.

Contact

David B. Wright Memorial Foundation Scholarship

P.O. Box 13222

Baltimore, MD 21203

(410) 812-2371

info@davidbwrightmemorialfoundation.org

8. Fairleigh-Dickinson Crime Recovery Education Initiative

Deadline: April 1st

Funded through the New Jersey State Office of Victim Witness Advocacy (SOVWA), Fairleigh-Dickinson University has established the Crime Recovery Education Initiative (CREI) to provide annual full-tuition scholarships for survivors of violent crime in Morris County to take academic classes in a safe and supportive higher education environment. As a non-residential program, the scholarship will pay for tuition, academic fees, and textbook expenses, but will not fund room and board, meal plans, or other extra-curricular expenses.

Contact

Fairleigh-Dickinson Crime Recovery Education Initiative

285 Madison Avenue Suite 302

Madison, NJ 07940

(973) 443-8729

bpeabody@fdu.edu

9. Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund

Deadline: May 15th

Through Scholarship America, the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund presents annual scholarships based on financial need to surviving dependent children, spouses, and domestic partners of 9/11 victims, including airplane crew and passengers, World Trade Center and Pentagon workers, relief workers, and law enforcement personnel killed in the terrorist attacks. Recipients must enroll in a post-secondary degree program at an accredited vocational school, two-year college, or four-year university in the U.S. by the age of 24.

Contact

Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund

One Scholarship Way

Saint Peter, MN 56082

(877) 862-0136

info@familiesoffreedom.org

10. GFWC Success for Survivors Scholarships

Deadline: January 31st

Administered through the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), the Success for Survivors Scholarships award $2,500 to survivors of physical, sexual, emotional, and/or psychological intimate partner abuse who are seeking to obtain a post-secondary education to reshape their future. Eligible candidates must be permanent legal residents of the United States, be planning to enroll in an accredited public or private institution, and provide a recommendation from a licensed domestic violence agency and/or social worker.

Contact

GFWC Success for Survivors Scholarships

1734 N Street NW

Washington, DC 20036

(202) 347-3168

Programs@GFWC.org

11. Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program

Deadline: October 25th

As one of the largest college financial aid programs in the nation, the Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program has been created to specifically assist graduating high school students who have faced and overcome great adversity in their young lives, including victimization. Qualified applicants must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit U.S. institution, demonstrate critical financial need, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher, and display integrity and perseverance by overcoming obstacles.

Contact

Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program

99 Canal Center Plaza Suite 320

Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 684-9444

scholarships@horatioalger.org

12. Jacqueline Harrison Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: October 1st

With the mission of creating a sense of empowerment and self-esteem among victims of violent crimes, the Jacqueline Harrison Memorial Scholarship (JHMS) is awarded annually to financially assist college-bound students who themselves or whose parents were victims of a violent crime. Qualified students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must provide a current resume, 500-word personal essay, official transcript, three letters of recommendation, financial statement, and proof of a continuing participation in community service.

Contact

Jacqueline Harrison Memorial Scholarship

P.O. Box 416

Suitland, MD 20752

(202) 670-5467

jhmsfund@gmail.com

13. Judith Dawn Memorial Fund for the Arts

Deadline: February 28th

Funded through the Lake County Council Against Sexual Assault (LaCASA), the Judith Dawn Memorial Fund for the Arts provides up to $8,000 annually as financial assistance to survivors of sexual assault and abuse over the age of 16 who are residents of Lake, Cook, or McHenry Counties in Illinois or Kenosha County in Wisconsin. To be eligible, survivors must be pursuing a higher education degree in the expressive arts, including dance, film/video, graphic arts, music, photography, painting, sculpture, theatre, and writing/poetry.

Contact

Judith Dawn Memorial Fund for the Arts

4275 Old Grand Avenue

Gurnee, IL 60031

(847) 244-1187

14. Ken Eaton Memorial Foundation Scholarship

Deadline: April 15th

Founded in memory of a beloved father who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime in Des Moines, Iowa in 1988, the Ken Eaton Memorial Foundation Scholarship is designed to encourage young surviving victims of hate crimes to pursue their dream of quality higher education. Although the program is currently only open to students at St. Anthony’s School, Dowling High School, Drake University, and Brody Middle School, the foundation will be eventually expanding to the state and national level as it grows.

Contact

Ken Eaton Memorial Foundation Scholarship

921 East 23rd Street

Des Moines, IA 50317

(515) 262-9581

keneatonfoundat@aol.com

15. Kennedy Foundation Scholarships for Victims

Deadline: April 21st

Founded on the belief that education inspires hope and independence, the Kennedy Foundation Scholarships for Victims have been created to cover the full tuition costs of attending on-campus undergraduate courses full-time at Howard University in Washington, DC for survivors of domestic violence. For consideration, applicants must submit an online application, attach a short 250-word essay on professional goals, and agree to serve as a role model in the on-campus DMV community.

Contact

Kennedy Foundation Scholarships for Victims

12138 Central Avenue Suite 665

Mitchellville, MD 20721

(240) 893-0018

kennedyfoundation@yahoo.com

16. Kimberlee J. Godshall Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: May 1st

Offered by the Beginning Over Foundation in memory of a woman who lost her life at the hands of her husband in 2002, the Kimberlee J. Godshall Memorial Scholarship is granted for $1,000 to graduating high school seniors in Northampton or Lehigh County, PA who are domestic violence survivors and/or are planning to enter a field that will service domestic violence victims. Anyone interested in applying must submit a 500-word essay relating their personal experiences with overcoming domestic violence.

Contact

Kimberlee J. Godshall Memorial Scholarship

P.O. Box 3223

Easton, PA 18043

(610) 438-9112

heidi@beginningover.org

17. This scholarship has been removed at the request of the scholarship sponsor. Check back soon for our replacement.

18. OVC Crime Victim/Survivor Scholarships

Deadline: June 8th

Sponsored by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), the Crime Victim/Survivor Scholarships are presented annually for up to $5,000 to surviving victims of violent crimes in the United States who are seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree in a human services area with the goal of starting a rewarding career working with other victims of crime. Applicants must have at least one year of volunteer service with other victims, demonstrate financial need, and provide information about their victimization.

Contact

OVC Crime Victim/Survivor Scholarships

9300 Lee Highway

Fairfax, VA 22031

(866) 682-8822

TTAC@ovcttac.org

19. Peyton Tuthill Foundation Hearts of Hope Scholarship

Deadline: May 1st

In memory of 23-year-old woman who was sexually assaulted, tortured, and murdered by an unsupervised probationer in 1999, the Peyton Tuthill Foundation Hearts of Hope Scholarship is available annually to homicide survivors and victims of crime who are enrolling as full-time undergraduate students at an approved U.S. institution. Applicants must have completed one year of grief counseling, have been the victim of a crime that occurred at least 18 months prior to submission, and possess a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better.

Contact

Peyton Tuthill Foundation Hearts of Hope Scholarship

P.O. Box 3144

Tallahassee, FL 32303

info@peytontuthill.org

20. Phoenix Education Grant for Burn Survivors

Deadline: June 30th

In honor of a teacher named Barbara Kammerer Quayle who was badly burned in an automobile accident in 1977, the Phoenix Education Grant (PEG) is the first national scholarship endowment fund created to provide financial support to young burn survivor students who have been accepted to an accredited two or four-year institution. Selection will be based on academic achievement, essay responses, letters of recommendation, financial need, and perseverance.

Contact

Phoenix Education Grant for Burn Survivors

1835 RW Berends Drive SW

Grand Rapids, MI 49519

(616) 458-2773

susan@phoenix-society.org

21. South Carolina Victim Assistance Network Scholarships

Deadline: October 1st and May 1st

Each semester, the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network partners with the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation to provide annually scholarships for up to $3,500 each to female survivors of violent crimes who demonstrate financial need for assistance in covering tuition expenses for undergraduate, graduate, or continuing education courses in South Carolina. Recipients will be chosen based on academic promise, Alpha Chi Omega chapter leadership, involvement in campus/community activities, and financial need.

Contact

South Carolina Victim Assistance Network Scholarships

113 Executive Point Blvd.

Columbia, SC 29210

(803) 750-1200 ext. 111

joy@scvan.org

22. Tree Climbers Survivor Scholarship Foundation

Deadline: April 1st

Annually, the Tree Climbers Survivor Scholarship Foundation offers multiple awards ranging in value from $1,000 to $10,000 for young survivors of childhood sexual abuse who want to pursue a degree for working with other abused children and/or adults in the rewarding fields of nursing, social work, child development, criminal justice, psychology, or counseling. Applicants must be current Tree Climbers members, have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, and submit three letters of recommendation.

Contact

Tree Climbers Survivor Scholarship Foundation

23931 Janbeall Court

Clarksburg, MD 20871

roxine@treeclimbersinc.org

23. Twin Towers Orphan Fund Scholarships

Deadline: Varies

Founded on September 11, 2001 for the sole purpose of providing educational assistance to the children who were orphaned in the terrorist-caused disasters on this infamous day, the Twin Towers Orphan Fund Scholarships are awarded to financially students between the ages of 18 and 22 who lost one or both parents in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, or on-board the four hijacked airliners. As a need-based program, eligibility will be based on qualified individuals’ ability to pay the costs of attending an accredited U.S. institution of higher learning.

Contact

Twin Towers Orphan Fund Scholarships

10010 Rosedale Highway Suite 3

Bakersfield, CA 93312

(661) 633-9076

benefits@ttof.org

24. Voices for Victims of Violent Crimes Scholarship

Deadline: April 27th

Administered through the Colorado Department of Corrections (DOC), the Voices for Victims of Violent Crimes Scholarship is granted annually for $3,000 to crime victims or their survivors between the ages of 18 and 23 who will be furthering their education at any post-secondary institution in the United States. Eligible candidates must qualify for federal financial aid, be a victim of a violent crime committed in Colorado, and have a minimum high school GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Contact

Voices for Victims of Violent Crimes Scholarship

625 East Evans Avenue

Denver, CO 80210

(303) 777-0112

voicesofvictims@aol.com

25. Women’s Independence Scholarship Program

Deadline: Ongoing

In collaboration with the Sunshine Lady Foundation, the Women’s Independence Scholarship Program is designed to provide financial assistance to women who are direct survivors of intimate partner abuse and have been parted from an abusive partner for at least one year. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens, have been accepted into an accredited U.S. institution, demonstrate critical need for assistance, and have sought services from a domestic violence agency for at least six consecutive months.

Contact

Women’s Independence Scholarship Program

4900 Randall Parkway Suite H

Wilmington, NC 28403

(910) 397-7742

nancy@wispinc.org

Scholarship Link

Overall, recent reports have shown alarming statistics that children who are victimized by violent crimes have one of the highest rates of ending up in a life of crime themselves. While individuals who are victims of crimes themselves usually struggle to conquer many obstacles for putting their lives back together, others who suffer the tragic loss of a parent from a crime also must deal with opportunities being violently removed from their lives. If you have beaten the odds to overcome adversity as a young victim, be sure to check out these 25 great scholarships for survivors of crime for achieving a brighter future!