What is Kids’ Chance?
Kids’ Chance of Mississippi is a scholarship fund established by the Mississippi Bar Foundation under the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Mississippi Bar to provide scholarships for children who have had a parent killed or permanently and totally disabled on the job. Kids’ Chance of Mississippi provides scholarships for students to attend vocational/technical school or college. The fund brings together all those involved in workers’ compensation issues: legal, medical and business communities. 

Who are eligible for Kids’ Chance of Mississippi Scholarships?
Mississippi residents between the ages of 17 and 23 who have had a parent killed or permanently and totally disabled in an accident that is compensable under the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Act may apply for the scholarship. The scholarship is good for one year, but recipients may apply each year of school as long as they make satisfactory academic progress. In addition, applicants must demonstrate substantial financial need.

Scholarship Selection
The Kids’ Chance of Mississippi Scholarship Committee reviews all applications and recommends recipients to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. The Committee is made up of representatives from the legal community, the medical profession, insurance companies and insured employers. Through the caring contributions of various members of the community, Kids’ Chance of Mississippi is able to give young people a chance to further their education. 

Applications
The time period for submitting completed applications and all supporting documents with respect to scholarships for each year runs from until May 31 of each year. Applications and supporting information will not be accepted after the May 31 deadline. Scholarships will be awarded in late June of each year and announced soon thereafter. The amount of each Kids’ Chance of Mississippi Scholarship awarded is decided by the Scholarship Committee; the amount of the scholarship(s) awarded is undetermined at this time. The application can be completed online here, or a paper application and required documents can be sent to: Workers’ Compensation Section, Mississippi Bar Foundation, Post Office Box 2168, Jackson, Mississippi, 39225‑2168. 

Mediation
The Workers’ Compensation Section of the Bar has trained and certified many Mississippi attorneys to act as mediators to help resolve Mississippi workers’ compensation claims. The attorneys have agreed to donate a portion of the costs to help fund scholarships. The list of attorneys is maintained on the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Commission website. 

Donations
As there are a large number of potentially eligible applicants, funds to establish and continue the scholarships are always needed. Any donation to the fund is tax deductible under Section 170 (c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. If you wish to donate, please send your check made payable to the Mississippi Bar Foundation to: Mississippi Bar Foundation, Post Office Box 2168, Jackson, Mississippi, 39225‑2168.