2026 Lessons in Resilience Scholarship

At Polito & Harrington LLC, we understand that life can change in an instant, especially when a parent or guardian suffers a car or truck accident. These moments often bring financial strain, emotional upheaval, and everyday challenges that reshape a family’s future. Yet, from these hardships, powerful lessons in resilience and responsibility can emerge. The Lessons in Resilience Scholarship was created to honor students who have experienced adversity firsthand and have found strength, motivation, and direction in the face of it. We invite applicants to share how their parents’ or guardians’ car or truck accident has impacted their perspective on life, education, and personal growth. Through this scholarship, we hope to recognize and support students who have transformed difficult circumstances into meaningful goals and aspire to use those experiences to make a positive difference in their communities or chosen fields. By telling their stories, applicants can inspire others while demonstrating the power of resilience in shaping a brighter future.

Application Deadline: March 31, 2026

Award Amount: $1000

Eligibility

• The scholarship is open to all current high school seniors, vocational students, college students, or graduate students who are legal residents of the United States, including all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a vocational program or a two- to four-year post-secondary institution.
• Employees of Polito & Harrington LLC, their immediate families (parent, child, sibling, and spouse), and persons living in the same household of such individuals (whether related or not), are not eligible to participate in the competition. 
• Candidates for this scholarship should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher and be in good overall academic standing.

Application Requirements

• The candidate must fill out the form below with all necessary information
• The candidate must submit a 750-1,000 word essay response to the prompt: When a parent or guardian experiences a car or truck accident, it can significantly affect a family’s financial, emotional, and daily life. How have your parents’ or guardians’ injuries and experience shaped your perspective on resilience, responsibility, and your future goals? Share how this experience has influenced your educational aspirations, career path, or personal growth, and how you plan to use these lessons to create a positive impact in your community or field of study.
  • Please note that all essays will be checked for AI writing. If AI writing is deemed present in the essay, the application will be denied.
• The candidate must submit a professional resumé that lists their experience, both professional and academic.
• The candidate must submit a transcript from their current school. First-year college students, graduate students, or individuals who have recently transferred schools may submit an unofficial transcript from their current school, as well as the most recent official transcript from their prior school. High school students can submit proof of acceptance to their college or university.
• Preference will be given to students either from or attending secondary school in Connecticut or Rhode Island.

The recipient of the Lessons in Resilience Scholarship will be chosen during the month following the scholarship deadline. 

For all scholarship-related inquiries, please use this contact form. We are unable to answer scholarship questions by phone, email, or through any other contact forms listed on this website.