Scholarships for Grieving Youth and Young Adults

Students who are grieving the death of a parent, sibling, or caregiver often face emotional and financial challenges as they plan for their future. To help ease these burdens, Eluna has gathered a list of scholarships for grieving youth and young adults designed to provide financial assistance, honor their resilience, and support their educational or vocational goals.

These scholarship opportunities offer meaningful support during a difficult time and help ensure teens and young adults have access to the resources they need moving forward.

Mesothelioma.com Scholarship

Mesothelioma.com offers this scholarship to provide financial assistance to students in their pursuit of higher education. If you or a close loved one have battled a form of cancer, they want to hear your story.  Applications being accepted from November 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 or 500 applications reached.

• Amount: $4,000 annually to one student
• Deadline: March 31, 2026
• Learn More and Apply

The Brave of Heart scholarship

This is the final application cycle for family members of healthcare workers whose lives were lost in the fight against COVID-19. All eligible applicants will receive some level of award. Whether you are about to graduate from high school and head to college, considering continuing your education or registering for training that enhances your earning potential, the Brave of Heart Scholarship may be able to help.

• Amount: Up to $25,000.00 annually is available in funding, depending on an eligible applicant’s academic focus, student status, and other criteria.
• Deadline: April 22, 2026 3:00 PM CT
• Learn more and Apply

Lisa Michelle Memorial Fund Scholarship

For students enrolled in a college, university, or trade school who have lost a parent/guardian, grandparent, sibling, or spouse to alcohol, drug, or prescription drug abuse.

• Amount: 1st Place $1,000; 2nd Place $500; 3rd Place $250
• Deadline: May 31, 2026
• Learn more and apply

Life Lessons Scholarship Program

Life Happens sponsors the annual Life Lessons Scholarship Program for college students and college-bound high school seniors. Qualified entrants who submit essays or videos about how the death of a parent impacted their lives are eligible for scholarship money. Over $3.7 million dollars in college scholarships have been awarded over the years. Applications are accepted each year from February 1 to March 1.

• Amount: Estimated total value of all scholarships awarded is approximately $250,000.
• Deadline: March 1, 2027 (Applications are accepted each year from February 1 to March 1.)
• Learn More and Apply

More Scholarship Listing Sites

Here some additional scholarship guides and platforms to consider:

• Love to Know has put together a list of financial aid and scholarship opportunities for children who have a deceased parent.
• Owlcation has a great list of College Scholarships for children with a deceased parent.
• Bold.org is a site to create or apply to exclusive scholarships, fellowships, and grants.
• Eluna’s list of Scholarships for Youth & Young Adults Impacted by Addiction
• Eluna’s Camper Alumni Scholarships