It’s that time of year again! High school graduations are happening all around us, and a new set of young adults are finding their way into the “real” world. A significant portion of these graduates will be looking toward higher education as the next step. But, with ever increasing college and living costs, it’s more important than ever for many families to access every financial resource available. This is especially true for the children of seriously injured workers.

Family finances will take a big hit when the injured worker is unable to return to work, and the future cost of education for the children can become an unaffordable luxury. If your family has a graduating student, or will have one in the next few years Syfrett, Dykes & Furr wants you to know about several organizations dedicated to helping the children of injured workers pursue higher educational opportunities.

The first organization is one we’ve mentioned before in our postings. Friends of 440 Scholarship Fund is a charitable group whose mission is to make the dream of college a reality for eligible students who are dependents and descendants of an individual who has been injured or killed at work and have received benefits under Florida’s workers’ compensation laws. For more information about Friends of 440 Scholarship Fund, visit http://www.440scholarship.org/portal/

Another resource is through Kids Chance, an organization started in 1988 by a workers’ compensation attorney in Georgia. It has now grown into national organization with local chapters in almost every state. Kids Chance also offers financial need based scholarships to the families of seriously injured workers. To find the Kids Chance chapter in your state, visit https://www.kidschance.org/state-organizations/

For the families of first responders, a resource is available through First Responders Children’s Foundation. For the past 20 years, this organization has awarded scholarships to hundreds of children from the families of first responders. Priority is given to applicants with first responder parents who have been killed or injured in the line of duty. To apply for a scholarship through this foundation, visit https://1strcf.org/general-scholarships/

Please know this posting is not intended to be an exhaustive list of such organizations, but merely a voice to let you know this type of resource exists. For access to many more scholarship opportunities of all kinds, visit https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-type/disability-scholarships/

Kimberly J. Syfrett