Pinnacol Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Pinnacol Foundation

Introduction
We understand that a serious workplace injury to a parent can upend family life and make pursuing higher education more difficult. The Pinnacol Foundation scholarship program exists to help students continue their studies despite these hardships.

Scholarship overview
- Awards are available for study at accredited U.S. four-year colleges, two-year colleges, community colleges, vocational schools, and trade programs.
- Scholarships average $4,700 per recipient per year.
- Funds must be applied only to costs associated with attending school.

Who qualifies
To be considered for a Pinnacol Foundation scholarship, you must meet all of the following:
- Be the natural child, adopted child, stepchild, or a full dependent of a worker who was injured or died in a compensable work-related accident that occurred while working for an employer based in Colorado, and who was eligible for benefits under the Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act. The insurance carrier that handled the claim does not affect eligibility.
- Be 16 to 25 years old as of the application deadline.
- Hold and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
- Have a high school diploma or GED, or be a high school senior.
- Submit a complete application package.
- Reapply each year if you wish to be considered again.

Application period and assistance
- Applications are accepted from November 1 through February 15.
- The selection process is competitive and not all applicants will receive an award.
- If you need assistance with your application or have questions, contact the Pinnacol Foundation for support.

Documents required — New applicants
First-time applicants must provide:
- A fully completed application.
- The most recent cumulative grade transcript (official is not required): high school transcript, GED certificate, or college transcript.
- Student Aid Report (SAR) produced after completing the FAFSA.
- A summary of volunteer activities, extracurricular involvement, and employment history.
- A personal essay.
- Official documentation of the parent’s workplace injury, such as a First Report of Injury plus a Final Admission of Liability (if the claim is closed) or a General Admission of Liability (if the claim remains open). These items are official insurance forms. If the parent’s injury was fatal, submit an official death certificate. If a sibling has previously applied and already provided these documents, you do not need to resubmit them.

Documents required — Returning applicants
Current recipients or prior applicants seeking renewal must submit:
- A completed renewal application.
- The latest cumulative grade transcript (official not required).
- A written progress report toward your degree or certificate, including current academic standing.
- Any updates to volunteer activities, extracurriculars, or employment.

Accreditation and eligible institutions
- Confirm that your chosen institution is accredited by checking the U.S. Department of Education’s directory of accredited postsecondary institutions and programs.
- If you plan to attend a vocational school, contact the Pinnacol Foundation to verify the school’s eligibility.
- Scholarships may only be used at schools located within the United States.

If you’d like help with the application or to confirm specific documentation requirements, please reach out to the Pinnacol Foundation.