Second Chance Youth Scholarship
No mistake should define a young person’s character or future, especially if they show genuine remorse and a commitment to growth.
Young people should be encouraged to rebuild their lives, pursue education, and become contributing members of their communities. However, a lack of financial resources can make it difficult to start the next chapter and access the academic and professional opportunities that can turn one’s life around.
This scholarship seeks to give youth in trouble with the law a true second chance, through possibility rather than punishment.
Any high school or GED student, high school graduate, or undergraduate student who is currently in or has been in the juvenile justice system may apply for this scholarship opportunity if they are seeking a true second chance and if they come from a household below the poverty line. However, applicants from Nevada are preferred. Applicants must be determined to rebuild their lives, grow through education and self-improvement, and give back to their communities, becoming an example of resilience, responsibility, and hope.
To apply, tell us your story, what a second chance means to you, how your experiences in the system have shaped you, what steps you’ve taken towards your future, what your goals are, and what you would use the award funds for.
In 500–750 words, share your story and describe what “a second chance” means to you. Explain how your past experiences in the juvenile justice system have shaped who you are today and what lessons you’ve learned from them.
Tell us about the steps you’ve taken toward positive change and how you plan to use this opportunity to further your education or achieve your legal goals. Include what you would use the award funds for.
Finally, share your educational and life goals — what do you hope to accomplish in the future, and how do you plan to “pay it forward” by helping other youth who face similar challenges?
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FAQ
The application deadline is Jun 21, 2026. Winners will be announced on Jul 22, 2026.
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Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Jul 22, 2026. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.