Pinnacol Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Pinnacol Foundation

Scholarship Overview

Purpose: The Pinnacol Foundation scholarship program supports students whose parent was seriously injured or killed in a work-related accident. Scholarships may be used at accredited four-year, two-year, and trade programs, including colleges, universities, community colleges, and vocational schools. The average award is $4,700 per student per year and may be used only for school attendance costs.

• Supports eligible students pursuing postsecondary education.
• Awards average $4,700 per student per year and cover school attendance costs only.

Eligibility

Requirements: Applicants must be a qualifying child or dependent of a worker injured or killed in a compensable work-related accident while employed by a Colorado-based employer. Applicants must be 16 to 25 years old by the application deadline, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, and hold a high school diploma or GED or be a high school senior. A complete application is required, and students must reapply each year.

• The worker must have been entitled to benefits under the Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act; the insurer does not affect eligibility.
• Applicants must meet the age, academic, and education requirements by the relevant deadlines.
• Students must submit a complete application and reapply annually.

Application Process

Application timeline: The application period begins November 1 and runs through the February deadline. The selection process is competitive, and not all applicants receive an award. For application assistance, contact the Pinnacol Foundation by email or call 303.361.4775.

• Apply during the annual application period.
• Contact the Foundation with questions or for help completing an application.
• Call 303.361.4775 for assistance.

New Applicants

Required materials: First-time applicants must submit a completed application and their most recent cumulative grade transcript; the transcript does not need to be official. Applicants must also provide a Student Aid Report from a completed FAFSA, information about volunteer, extracurricular, and employment experiences, and a personal essay. Documentation of the parent’s workplace injury is also required unless a sibling previously applied and submitted those documents.

• Completed application and most recent transcript, GED certificate, or college transcript.
• Student Aid Report from a completed FAFSA, personal essay, and details of volunteer, extracurricular, and employment experiences.
• Work-injury documentation: a First Report of Injury and, if applicable, a Final Admission of Liability for a closed claim or a General Admission of Liability for an open claim.
• If the parent’s injury was fatal, provide an official death certificate.

Returning Applicants

Renewal materials: Returning applicants must submit a completed renewal application and their most recent cumulative grade transcript, which does not need to be official. They must also provide a written update describing their progress toward graduation and current academic standing. Include any new information about volunteer, extracurricular, or employment experiences.

• Completed renewal application and most recent cumulative transcript.
• Written update on graduation progress and academic standing.
• Updates to volunteer, extracurricular, and employment experience information.

Eligible Schools

School requirements: Scholarships may be used only at schools in the United States. Applicants should confirm that their chosen school is accredited by consulting the United States Department of Accreditation directory. Students planning to attend a vocational school should contact the Pinnacol Foundation to discuss the institution’s status.

• The school must be located in the United States.
• Check the institution’s accreditation status before applying.
• Contact the Foundation about the status of a vocational school.