2026 Community Growth Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,500

Submission Deadline: June 15, 2026

Award Use: Funds will be sent directly to the recipient’s college or university for application toward spring semester tuition.

To apply, students must respond to the essay prompt below through one of two formats: a written essay or a video essay. Applicants must then:

1. Complete the application form available on the Olsinski Injury, Family & Criminal Lawyers website
2. Upload their PDF essay or submit a link to their unlisted video

Only complete applications will be considered.

At Olsinski Injury, Family & Criminal Lawyers, we welcome students to showcase their stories through either a traditional written essay or create a video essay addressing the following topic:

• What does your community mean to you?

  • Describe your commitment to your school and the communities that have shaped your daily life.

Whether writing or recording, students are encouraged to reflect on challenges they’ve faced and how their communities have helped them persevere. Personal stories that highlight specific moments of growth, resilience, or support are highly encouraged.

Students choosing to submit a traditional essay should keep their response under 1,000 words. Essays must include a header with the following information:

• Full name
• Date of application
• School name
• Financial aid office contact details (mailing address, phone number, and email)
• Student ID number

Essays should be submitted in PDF format via the scholarship submission form on the Olsinski Injury, Family & Criminal Lawyers website.

Video submissions should be between 1 and 2 minutes in length. While polished editing is not required, students are encouraged to thoughtfully script and organize their message.

To ensure eligibility, video submissions must meet the following criteria:

• Record in a well-lit, stable environment to ensure clear video and audio quality
• Include the student’s full name and the name of the scholarship at either the beginning or end of the video
• Credit any B-roll, interviewees, or editing software used
• Use only copyright-free media
• Add a creative, relevant title
• Specify any sources and editing tools in the video description

Videos should be uploaded to YouTube as unlisted, and the link shared through the scholarship application form on our website.

The deadline to apply for the Olsinski Injury, Family & Criminal Lawyers 2026 Community Growth Scholarship is June 15, 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

The selection committee may take up to three months after the deadline to choose a recipient. Please note that we cannot respond to inquiries about the status of your application or the selection process. We kindly ask that you do not contact the firm by phone, email, or mail regarding the scholarship.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Applicant must be enrolled at a college, university, or graduate school
• Applicant must be at least 18 years old at the age of enrollment
• Applicant must have residency in the United States
• Applicant must be in good academic standing
• Applicant must submit some personal information, including name, contact information, and proof of enrollment.
• Applicant must author an original essay on the scholarship essay topic provided. 

The following individuals are NOT ELIGIBLE to apply:

• Employees or immediate family members of Olsinski Injury, Family & Criminal Lawyers
• Past recipients of the Community Growth Scholarship
• Applicants unwilling or unable to participate in an interview, if selected
• Applicants who submit the same essay for multiple scholarships or reuse essays from prior years

All scholarship applications must include all required materials to be considered. Incomplete or late submissions will be disqualified.

The selection committee will review eligible applications without bias. Age, gender, race, religion, national origin, or any other protected category will have no influence on the decision.

The selected recipient will be notified directly and the firm will coordinate with their school to apply the $2,500 scholarship toward tuition. The winner will also be announced via a press release and blog post on the Olsinski website.

Your personal information will be kept confidential and will not be shared or sold to third parties.

By applying, you grant Olsinski Injury, Family & Criminal Lawyers permission to use your name and photo in promotional content related to the scholarship, including website, blog, and social media announcements.