Postsecondary Education Scholarship Program

The Orphan Society of America is committed to providing postsecondary scholarships to individuals orphaned by violence to fulfill their personal and professional goals of attending college, community college, vocational school, or a trade program.

OSA also works to help orphans of violence prepare for college by offering access and financial assistance to test prep services (for the SAT and ACT). If you are interested in these services, please contact Tarah Epstein Baiman, executive director, at tarah@theorphansociety.org.

In order to be considered for an OSA scholarship, the applicant is required to:

  • be a U.S. resident; and
  • have either lost one or both parents to an act of violence.

To apply for an academic scholarship, the following requirements apply:

  1. Applicant must be a junior or senior in high school.
  2. Applicant must provide a high school transcript to OSA.
  3. Applicant must show documentation of his/her estimated financial contribution from the postsecondary institution.
  4. Applicant must have been accepted by the postsecondary institution and show copy of his/her acceptance letter to OSA.
  5. Applicant must return any unused portion of the scholarship if withdrawing from the postsecondary institution, or does not maintain the minimum grade point average required by the school.
  6. Applicant must send two letters of recommendation from foster/adoptive parents, social workers, home advisors, guidance counselors, etc.
  7. Applicant must submit an essay (500 words or less) detailing why an OSA scholarship will help them to fulfill their personal and professional goals.

Click here to begin the application process for an OSA postsecondary education scholarship.