Second Chance Scholarship Contest

Scholarship Sponsored by American Fire Sprinkler Association

Overview — what this is
This is a simple, need-blind scholarship contest for students planning to begin college or a trade program in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027. There are five $1,000 awards each year. The money is paid directly to your school for tuition or books.

Who is eligible
- U.S. citizen or legal resident.
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
- Plan to attend an accredited U.S. college, university, or trade school (school must be on an approved accreditation list or the CHEA directory).
- No GPA or income requirements.
- Not eligible: family members of AFSA staff or national board members, or anyone who has previously won an AFSA scholarship.

Important dates
- You must be starting school in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027.
- Winners’ names will be posted on the website by October 2026.

How to enter (step-by-step)
1. Complete the online entry form.
2. Take the brief 8-question quiz.
3. Submit only once — multiple entries will be disqualified.
Before any funds are released, AFSA will verify your information. Any false or misleading information will result in disqualification.

How winners are chosen and what they receive
- Five winners are selected at random by computer after the contest ends.
- Odds of winning depend on the total number of entries.
- Each winner receives $1,000 paid directly to the school for tuition or books.

Winner notification and verification (what you must do)
- AFSA will contact winners by email and/or phone within 14 business days after the contest ends. You must reply within 10 days of that contact.
- To prove eligibility you will need to provide documentation, including: a copy of a birth certificate, U.S. passport, or green card. You must also provide two forms of ID.
- If applicable, you may be asked to provide proof of citizenship from your country of origin.
- After verification, AFSA will send forms for your school. You must complete the required steps within 60 days of the contest’s end or the scholarship will be forfeited.

What you should have ready before you start
- Full name
- Home address (street, city, state, zip)
- Primary phone number (secondary phone optional)
- Email address
- Date of birth
- High school graduation date or GED award date (month/year)
- Ready copies of citizenship/ID documents (see verification section)

Quick teacher’s tips
- Read instructions carefully and prepare your documents before you begin the form.
- Submit once; do not enter multiple times.
- Keep an eye on your email and voicemail for the notification window.

Good luck — and be sure your contact info is current so AFSA can reach you quickly if you win.