Scholarships for Surviving Children and Widows

Ask your college about its own scholarship programs for surviving family.

Losing the support of a family wage-earner may make funding college seem impossible. However, surviving family members should take heart: There is help. Whether the obtain government aid, private aid or a combination of both, loved ones left behind may be able to cover the cost of tuition and other school expenses using just scholarships.

Military Scholarships

Each branch of the military has its own scholarship program for widows. For example, the U.S. Army has the Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program, which grants up to $2,400 per student each year. To qualify, your deceased spouse must have died while serving in active duty. You must be enrolled full-time in an accredited postsecondary school. The actual amount of your scholarship varies depending on your financial need, and the money must be used for tuition, fees and school-related expenses.

LIFE Lessons Scholarship

The LIFE Lessons Scholarship from the LIFE Foundation awards up to $10,000 to multiple students each year. This scholarship is available to surviving children who are currently in college or their senior year of high school. When you apply, you must submit a brief essay or video explaining how your parent's death impacted your life. The LIFE Foundation provides funds first to entrants who demonstrate extreme financial need, or whose deceased parents didn't have adequate life insurance.

Other Scholarships

There are a number of scholarships to help students in a variety of circumstances. The Mary Ellen Locher Scholarship is available to students who lost a parent to breast cancer. The Forgotten Dependents Scholarship program grants funds to students who demonstrate financial need and who've lost a biological parent due to any situation. You may also check for local scholarship and grant opportunities, as these may be less competitive than national funds. If your spouse or parent died while working, for instance, his employer might offer compensation. For example, the California Student Aid Commission offers scholarships to surviving spouses of California police officers and firefighters.

Federal Student Aid

Both surviving widows and children may be eligible for federal student aid. The Pell Grant is the main government grant for students who are low income, and just like a scholarship, you don't have to pay it back. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant is also available for students who live in extreme poverty. If you're eligible, you may obtain up to $5,550 in Pell Grant funds each school year, and an additional $5,550 each year through the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program.

References

• Forgotten Dependents: Our Mission
• LIFE Foundation: LIFE Lesson Scholarship Program
• California Student Aid Commission: Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program (LEPD)
• Mary Ellen Locher Foundation: Home
• Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program (SEAP): Program Description
• Federal Student Aid; Federal Pell Grant; June 2011

Resources

• Federal Student Aid; Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG); June 2011