Rebuilding the Road Ahead Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Chaikin Trial Group
Overview
The Rebuilding the Road Ahead: How an Accident Inspired My New Direction scholarship is administered by Chaikin Trial Group Personal Injury Lawyers to support New York students whose lives were significantly affected by a car accident and who have demonstrated resilience and renewed purpose. The program awards a single $2,500 academic scholarship to a qualified student pursuing undergraduate or graduate study at an accredited U.S. institution. High school seniors who have been accepted to an accredited college or university are also eligible to apply. Applications are submitted via an online form and must include a link to an original video addressing the scholarship topic.
Description: A merit-based scholarship recognizing personal growth and future-focused goals following a serious car accident.
Award Value: $2,500 awarded to one recipient and delivered directly to the recipient’s college or university.
- Administered by Chaikin Trial Group for New York residents.
- Open to enrolled students and accepted high school seniors.
- Requires a video submission and online application.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet specific academic, residency, and personal-experience criteria to be considered. Eligibility is limited to New York residents who are U.S. citizens or otherwise authorized to attend school in the U.S., have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and were involved in a car accident. Accepted or enrolled status at an accredited U.S. college, university, or graduate program is required; high school seniors must provide proof of acceptance. All applicants must complete the online application and agree to the scholarship terms and conditions.
Eligibility: New York resident; admitted to or enrolled in an accredited U.S. institution (or accepted as a high school senior); 3.0 GPA with transcript; survivor of a car accident; authorized to study in the U.S.; submit video and application form.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA and unofficial transcript required.
- High school seniors must submit proof of acceptance.
- Applicants must have been involved in a car accident.
Application Process
The application process begins with reviewing eligibility and preparing an original video that responds to the scholarship topic. Applicants must complete the online form, include a link to their unlisted YouTube video, and provide required personal and academic information. Supporting documents, such as transcripts or proof of college acceptance for high school seniors, should be included as indicated on the application page. Late or incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.
Application Timeline: Applications must be submitted by the deadline posted on the application page; once the deadline passes, entries are reviewed and a decision typically takes one to three months depending on the volume of submissions.
- Submit the online form with the video link before the posted deadline.
- Review period generally ranges from one to three months.
- Winners are contacted by email and announced publicly.
Video Requirements and Topic
The scholarship requires an original video in which the applicant reflects on how being involved in or affected by a car accident changed their perspective, values, and goals. Applicants should address the provided prompts—describe the experience and its impact, explain how perspectives shifted, share how the experience influenced goals or desire to help others, and define what “rebuilding the road ahead” means to them. Videos must be recorded and spoken by the applicant; limited use of AI-generated B-roll is allowed, but fully AI-created content or using actors in place of the applicant is prohibited. Upload the video to YouTube as unlisted and include the link in the application form.
Submission: Original, applicant-authored and spoken video uploaded as unlisted on YouTube; include full name and scholarship name in the video or description and provide the video link in the application form.
- Address the specified prompts and demonstrate personal growth and resilience.
- Video must be original and primarily authored and spoken by the applicant.
- Upload as unlisted on YouTube and paste the link into the online form.
Terms, Selection, and Award Notification
Applicants must meet all qualifications and agree to the scholarship terms and conditions to be considered. Disqualifications include prior scholarship winners, Chaikin Trial Group employees or their children, reused video entries, and refusal to participate in an interview if requested. A dedicated scholarship committee reviews eligible applications impartially; decisions are based on the application materials and the video submission. Winners will be notified by email, publicly announced, and scholarship funds will be sent directly to the recipient’s institution after verification of enrollment and academic standing.
Terms and Conditions: Must be 18 or older at enrollment, a New York resident, enrolled or accepted to an accredited program, in good academic standing, and submit an original video; certain individuals and types of entries are ineligible.
- Selection is merit-based and non-discriminatory.
- Funds are paid directly to the recipient’s school upon verification.
- Due to legal restrictions, status inquiries will not be answered; additional information will be requested only if needed.