Second Chance Foundation Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
Overview
The Second Chance Foundation Scholarship supports students who have overcome hardship and are pursuing post-secondary education. The program recognizes resilience and provides financial assistance to help recipients continue their studies. The Umansky Law Firm administers the scholarship to spotlight personal growth and positive forward movement after legal or personal challenges.
Description: Scholarship awards are granted to students who share how they overcame adversity and what a second chance means to them. Applicants are asked to submit an essay describing their experience and growth.
- Supports students who have demonstrated resilience after hardship.
- Administered by The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys.
- Focuses on personal growth and second-chance stories.
Eligibility
Eligibility is limited to legal U.S. residents enrolled in post-secondary or vocational programs for the specified term. The program excludes firm employees, their immediate families, and household members. Academic standing requirements apply to ensure applicants meet the scholarship’s standards.
Eligibility: Open to current high school seniors, college students, or graduate students who are legal residents of the 50 U.S. states or the District of Columbia and enrolled in a vocational program or a two- to five-year post-secondary institution for the 2026 Spring semester. Employees of The Umansky Law Firm, their immediate families (parent, child, sibling, spouse), and persons living in the same household are ineligible. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be in good academic standing.
- Applicants must be U.S. legal residents and enrolled for the specified term.
- Firm employees, immediate family, and household members are excluded.
- Minimum GPA requirement: 3.0.
Application Requirements
Applications are evaluated based on submitted materials that demonstrate the applicant’s hardship, recovery, and readiness for continued study. Submissions must be original and free of AI-generated content. Academic and experiential documentation is required to verify eligibility and achievements.
Application Requirements: Submit a 750–1,000-word essay responding to the prompt: "Share a hardship you have overcome and what a second chance means to you." Essays will be checked for AI-generated content; detections will result in denial. Also provide a résumé or LinkedIn profile and an academic transcript; first-year or transfer students may submit an unofficial transcript plus the most recent official transcript from a prior school. High school applicants must include proof of college or university acceptance.
- Essay length: 750–1,000 words on the specified prompt.
- All essays are screened for AI-generated content; violations disqualify applications.
- Résumé/LinkedIn and transcripts are required; submission rules vary by student status.
Award Details
The scholarship provides direct financial support to selected recipients to assist with educational expenses. Awards are modest and intended to offset costs while recognizing personal resilience. Distribution is made directly to the student.
Award Value: This is a $1,000 scholarship awarded directly to each selected student.
- Award amount: $1,000 per recipient.
- Funds are paid directly to the student.
- Aims to support education expenses while honoring resilience.
History of the Award
The Second Chance Foundation Scholarship has been awarded since 2011 to multiple students who demonstrated growth after adversity. Over time the program has continued its focus on recognizing resilience and providing targeted financial support. The scholarship highlights personal transformation as much as academic potential.
History of the Award: Since 2011, the program has distributed multiple $1,000 scholarships to students who overcame significant challenges and demonstrated gratitude and resilience.
- Established in 2011 to honor students who overcame hardship.
- Multiple $1,000 scholarships awarded over the years.
- Continues to emphasize personal growth and second chances.