Pinnacol Foundation awarding scholarships

  The Pinnacol Foundation is accepting scholarship applications now through March 31, 2008, for the 2008-2009 school year. The Foundation provides scholarships for post-high-school education to children whose parents have been killed or seriously injured in work-related accidents.”Few things impact a child’s life more than the death or serious injury of a parent,” said Peter McGuire, Sullivan Sullivan & McGuire, an attorney who represents injured workers and a member of the Pinnacol Foundation selection committee.

“Such a tragedy can drain the child’s confidence and the family’s financial future. These children often miss their chance at a college education. Through the scholarship funds, the Foundation helps kids to build stronger futures for themselves,” he said.

The selection committee strives to provide an award to every student who qualifies. Since it began in 2000, the Pinnacol Foundation has awarded $585,000 to 112 students for college, trade school and other professional training.

Award amounts vary; the average scholarship is approximately $3,000 for one year. Students can reapply each year for up to five years, or until they reach age 25. 

To qualify, a student must be the natural child, adopted child or stepchild of a worker killed or seriously disabled in a compensable work-related accident while employed by a Colorado-based company, regardless of insurance carrier.

Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, the severity of the parent’s injury, academic achievement, letters of recommendation and a personal essay.

Students can get scholarship applications by visiting www.pinnacol.com/foundation or by calling Elizabeth Starkey at 303-361-4775.

The Pinnacol Foundation was established as a charitable nonprofit entity with $50,000 in seed money from Pinnacol Assurance, Colorado’s leading choice for workers’ compensation insurance.

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