Scholarships for Students With Parents in Prison
Having an incarcerated father reduces a student’s chances of graduating from college from 40% to 15%, according to The Pew Charitable Trusts, and an incarcerated mother drops their chances to just 2%.
But parental incarceration doesn’t have to disrupt your college plans. You can still access federal financial aid, state resources, and private scholarships. And you’re not alone in needing help. In the 2020-2021 school year, 87% of first-time, full-time undergraduate students received financial aid.
To apply for federal aid, such as the Pell Grant, make sure to complete your FAFSA, and for state financial aid programs, explore the resources available from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.
Use our guide below to learn more about scholarships specifically for students with incarcerated parents.
Ava’s Grace Scholarship Program
You must have or have had an incarcerated parent, hold a GPA of 2.0 or higher, and be a resident of Missouri or an Illinois county bordering St. Louis. The renewable scholarship supports students seeking their first technical, associate, or bachelor’s degree.
- Award: $5,000 per year
- Deadline: April 15
Be the Change Scholarship
This scholarship is for first-generation undergraduate students at Grand Valley State University in Michigan who have a parent who is currently or formerly incarcerated. It is awarded based on financial need demonstrated through the FAFSA.
- Award: Varies
- Deadline: March 1
Breaking Chains Making Amends
A nonprofit organization, Breaking Chains Making Amends, offers renewable scholarships to children of parents or grandparents who are currently incarcerated. You must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher and can be enrolled in a vocational, undergraduate, or graduate program.
- Award: Varies
- Deadline: Rolling
Children Impacted by Crime Scholarship
Established by WriteAPrisoner.com, this scholarship provides resources to children of incarcerated parents who hold a GPA of 2.5 or higher, are at least 18 years old, and are attending a two- or four-year institution.
- Award: $250 and higher
- Deadline: June 1
CIP Scholarships
The Connecticut Children of Incarcerated Parents Initiative offers this scholarship to Central Connecticut State University students with close family members in prison. The scholarship is renewable for up to six semesters.
- Award: Up to $1,500
- Deadline: Rolling
Hallam Law Group Scholarship
This scholarship fund, provided by an Arizona law firm, considers applications from high school juniors and seniors and first-year students in community colleges and four-year universities. Applicants must have at least one incarcerated parent.
- Award: $1,000
- Deadline: August 31
Pullan & Young Supporting Prisoners’ Families Scholarship
Supported by a law firm in Texas, this scholarship application requires an essay and proof of enrollment from graduate or undergraduate students with at least one parent who has been incarcerated.
- Award: $1,000 per semester
- Deadline: March 17
ScholarCHIPS
This renewable scholarship provides a $3,500 award plus $1,000 for books. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors or students in college or vocational training programs with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Award: $4,500 per year
- Deadline: April 18
Venus Morris Griffin Scholarship
Awarded by Venus Morris Griffin and her children, this scholarship accepts applications from high school seniors who have at least one biological parent currently in prison. It has no academic requirements.
- Award: $10,000
- Deadline: Rolling
Willy the Plumber Scholarship
Students at Southern Utah University can apply for this scholarship if they have at least one parent who has been incarcerated for two years or more or served at least three years in prison in the last seven years. Applicants with a 3.0 GPA or higher receive preference.
- Award: Varies
- Deadline: March 1
Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships for Students With Incarcerated Parents
Are there scholarships for students with incarcerated parents?
Yes, private foundations, universities, and law firms offer scholarships specifically for students with parents in prison. You can apply for other scholarships that you may qualify for based on academic merit, financial need, gender, race, or other factors.
Can you get FAFSA aid if one parent is incarcerated?
You are deemed eligible or ineligible for federal financial aid based on your income. Your parents’ incarceration makes no difference to your eligibility for Pell Grants, student loans, or federal work-study funds. It could, however, affect your Veterans Affairs benefits if you are applying as a dependent of a veteran with an “other than honorable” discharge.
How do I apply to college if my parent is incarcerated?
Most colleges accept applications through their websites or the Common App, which lets you apply to multiple schools using a single application. If you have questions or need assistance with an application, contact your college’s admissions office.
Will my parent’s incarceration affect my Pell Grant?
Pell Grants are need-based grants, and the federal government determines your grant funds based on your or your parents’ income and a few other factors. While currently incarcerated people cannot receive Pell Grants unless attending an approved prison education program, people who have returned from prison and the children of people who are incarcerated can qualify for aid.
Are there graduate school scholarships for children of incarcerated parents?
More scholarships are available to undergraduates than graduate students. However, some scholarships specifically support graduate students with parents in prison. Check the requirements of a scholarship carefully before you apply, and remember that you can qualify for institutional aid and some federal aid programs as a graduate student.
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