Kanoski Bresney Distracted Driving Scholarship 2027
The Kanoski Bresney Stand Up to Distracted Driving Scholarship gives five US students $1,000 each for speaking honestly about phone use, texting, and other distractions behind the wheel. The Springfield, Illinois personal injury firm sees crash cases across central Illinois and wants young people to lead prevention efforts. Eligible applicants include college and graduate students continuing through Fall 2026 or Spring 2027, plus high school seniors entering college in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027, with a 3.0+ GPA and US citizenship. Send a formatted 1,000-word essay, transcript, and contact information through the official portal by 9 November 2026. Questions go to [email protected].
What is the Kanoski Bresney Stand Up to Distracted Driving Scholarship?
Central Illinois roads see the same pattern national statistics describe: a glance at a phone, a few seconds of drift, and a collision that could have been avoided. Kanoski Bresney, a personal injury firm with offices from Springfield to Bloomington, funds the Stand Up to Distracted Driving Scholarship so students talk about the issue in their own words instead of recycling slogans.
Five $1,000 awards spread the impact across different campuses each cycle. You are not competing for a single spotlight slot, but you still need a disciplined essay that hits exactly 1,000 words with proper formatting. The firm judges thoughtfulness and clarity, which fits a practice that reads crash reports and client statements every week.
If you already wrote for the Focused Driver or Don't Text and Drive scholarships, adapt the story rather than copying it. Kanoski wants your ideas on awareness campaigns, peer pressure, and policy, not just a recap of statistics. Submit by 9 November 2026 and direct questions to [email protected].
Eligibility
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✓US citizenYou must be a US citizen to apply. The online form lists other immigration statuses for demographic fields, but published rules require citizenship.
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✓3.0 cumulative GPA or higherYou need a current overall GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Your transcript should show cumulative GPA and year in school.
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✓Enrolled student or incoming high school seniorYou qualify if you are enrolled in an accredited US undergraduate or graduate program and will continue through Fall 2026 or Spring 2027, OR if you are a high school senior starting college in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027.
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✓Original 1,000-word essayEssays must respond to the distracted driving prompt, follow formatting rules (double-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins), and be saved as DOC, DOCX, or PDF with your name in the file name.
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✓Consent to marketing use if selectedWinners agree that Kanoski Bresney may use their name, essay, and likeness in marketing. Check the consent box on the application before submitting.
Benefits
- Number of awards Five scholarships per cycle
- Amount per winner $1,000 each
- Use of funds Coordinated with your college or university
- Selection notification By 9 December 2026
- Renewability Not renewable
- Full tuition Not covered
Document checklist
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✓1,000-word essay fileAnswer how distracted driving affected your life and what ideas you have to raise awareness and prevent the behavior among young drivers. Double-space, use 12-point font and one-inch margins, and name the file with your first and last name.
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✓Current academic transcriptUpload an unofficial transcript showing cumulative GPA and enrollment. Formats include PDF, DOCX, PNG, or JPG up to 5 MB.
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✓Contact informationProvide name, phone, address, and email on the application. Keep details aligned with your transcript.
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✓Online application via Kanoski BresneySubmit through the Stand Up to Distracted Driving Scholarship form on kanoski.com. The OVC Scholarship Network hosts the portal.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
How much is the Kanoski Bresney Stand Up to Distracted Driving Scholarship?
The firm awards five scholarships of $1,000 each per cycle. Funds are sent in coordination with each winner's college or university after selection.
Who is eligible for the Kanoski Bresney distracted driving scholarship?
US citizens with at least a 3.0 GPA who are enrolled in accredited US undergraduate or graduate programs continuing through Fall 2026 or Spring 2027, or high school seniors beginning college in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027.
What is the Kanoski Bresney scholarship essay about?
Write 1,000 words on how distracted driving affected your life and what ideas you have to raise awareness and prevent the behavior among young drivers. Follow double-spacing, 12-point font, one-inch margins, and file naming rules on the official page.
When is the Kanoski Bresney distracted driving scholarship deadline?
Applications are due 9 November 2026 according to the official Kanoski Bresney page. Winners are notified by 9 December 2026.
How many Kanoski Bresney distracted driving scholarships are awarded?
Five recipients receive $1,000 each. Selection is based on thoughtfulness, originality, writing mechanics, and adherence to eligibility and formatting instructions.
Can high school seniors apply for the Kanoski Bresney scholarship?
Yes, if you are a high school senior who will start college or university in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027, meet the citizenship and GPA rules, and submit the required essay and transcript.
Do Illinois residents get preference for the Kanoski Bresney scholarship?
Published eligibility is national. Kanoski Bresney is an Illinois firm, but the rules do not limit applicants to Illinois schools or residents.
How do I contact Kanoski Bresney about the scholarship?
Email [email protected] or use the contact link on the scholarship page for application questions.
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