California was the first state in the country to provide compensation for victims of crime. California commenced providing compensation to victims of crime, as well as victim-survivors of crime, beginning in 1965. Following California’s lead, by 1972 eight more states were providing compensation to victims of crime.
There are some academic scholarships available to Californians who are victims of crimes. These scholarships have different application requirements. Information on some of these scholarships, grants, and financial aid opportunities for victims of crime are presented here for your consideration.
Catina Rose Memorial Scholarship From Crime Victims United of California
The Catina Rose Memorial Scholarship was established over a decade ago. The scholarship program is designed to assist victims of crime as well as victim-survivors of crime in pursuit of higher education. The program is designed to assist young people to continue to heal from being victims or victim survivors of crime.
The Catina Rose Memorial Scholarship is sponsored by Crime Victims United of California. Specific requirements for the scholarship include:
- Victim or victim survivor of a crime
- Pursue higher education, which includes a community college, college, university, or trade school
- High school graduate or current high school senior
- Active in community service
- California Resident
- No arrests or convictions
- Legal U.S. Citizen
The application for the Catina Rose Memorial Scholarship can be downloaded from the Crime Victims United website. The application and required supporting materials must be postmarked no later than June 30 and mailed to:
Crime Victims United Charitable Foundation
11400 Atwood Road
Auburn, California 95603
California Victim Compensation Board
The California Victim Compensation Board provides compensation for a wide range of losses associated directly with a crime. The board does not provide scholarships or academic financial aid directly to a victim of a crime that desires to pursue higher education. Nonetheless, the board’s staff is a solid resource for an individual seeking scholarship or financial aid information available to a person who has been the victim of a crime. For example, the board maintains information about individual institutions of higher learning that may have scholarship funds available to an individual who has been victimized by the criminal conduct of another.
Although the board does not provide direct compensation in the form of academic scholarships or financial aid, it does provide a wide range of other types of financial assistance to victims of crimes. Examples of this compensation include:
- Medical and dental treatment
- Mental health services
- Income loss
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of support for dependents when a victim is killed or disabled because of a crime
- Home or vehicle modifications
- Home security
- Relocation
- Crime scene cleanup
California Victim Compensation Board
Allstate Foundation Moving Ahead Grants
The Allstate Foundation Moving Ahead Grants program is designed to provide up to $10,000 to victims of domestic violence. The grants are designed to assist a victim of domestic violence to achieve financial independence through higher education, job readiness programs, and career training.
Allstate Foundation Moving Ahead Grants
2775 Sanders Road, Suite F4
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 402-5600
[email protected]
Children Impacted by Crime Scholarship Fund
The Children Impacted by Crime Scholarship Fund awards multiple scholarships of up to $1,000. The scholarships are awarded to children who’ve been victimized by crime or who’ve had an immediate family member victimized in this manner. Criteria for the scholarship include pursuing a degree at a two or four-year institution of higher education. An applicant must be at least 18-years old and a full-time student. An applicant must have at least a 2.5 GPA. The application deadline is June 1.
Children Impacted by Crime Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 10-S
Edgewater, FL 32132
(386) 202-4225
David B. Wright Memorial Foundation Scholarship
The David B. Wright Memorial Foundation Scholarship is awarded annually to provide financial support to survivors of violent crime and their families. The scholarship program aids people in pursuing higher education. Preference is given to students majoring in human services, counseling, mathematics, science, engineering, or carpentry. The application deadline is April 10.
David B. Wright Memorial Foundation Scholarship
P.O. Box 13222
Baltimore, MD 21203
(410) 812-2371
[email protected]
Individual Colleges and Universities
In addition to the specific financial aid programs referenced in this article, some colleges and universities have special scholarships available at their institutions for victims of crime. You can ascertain what may be available in this regard by contacting the financial aid office at a particular school.