Kanoski Bresney Distracted Driving Scholarship 2027

Deadline 9 November 2026 51 days left · Hosted by Kanoski Bresney · Published

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].

Multiple winners each cycle
5 × $1,000
Undergraduate or graduate
HS through grad
Application deadline
9 Nov 2026
Nationwide applicants
US citizens

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].

Who can apply

Eligibility

Your progress 0 / 5
  • US citizen
    You must be a US citizen to apply. The online form lists other immigration statuses for demographic fields, but published rules require citizenship.
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher
    You 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.
  • Enrolled student or incoming high school senior
    You 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.
  • Original 1,000-word essay
    Essays 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.
  • Consent to marketing use if selected
    Winners agree that Kanoski Bresney may use their name, essay, and likeness in marketing. Check the consent box on the application before submitting.
What you get

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
What to prepare

Document checklist

Documents gathered 0 / 4
  • 1,000-word essay file
    Answer 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.
  • Current academic transcript
    Upload an unofficial transcript showing cumulative GPA and enrollment. Formats include PDF, DOCX, PNG, or JPG up to 5 MB.
  • Contact information
    Provide name, phone, address, and email on the application. Keep details aligned with your transcript.
  • Online application via Kanoski Bresney
    Submit through the Stand Up to Distracted Driving Scholarship form on kanoski.com. The OVC Scholarship Network hosts the portal.
Step by step

How to apply

Read kanoski.com/community-involvement/distracted-driving-scholarship for the exact essay question and file requirements before you outline.
Make sure you meet the 3.0 GPA floor, US citizenship rule, and either continuing college enrollment through Fall 2026/Spring 2027 or high school senior status with a Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 college start.
Use personal stories and practical awareness ideas. Double-space, set 12-point font and one-inch margins, and export to DOC, DOCX, or PDF with your name in the filename.
Download or request an unofficial transcript that shows cumulative GPA. Allow time if your registrar is slow during mid-semester.
Fill out the embedded application on Kanoski Bresney's site, upload essay and transcript, and accept consent terms. Switch networks if a school VPN blocks submission.
Send everything before the published deadline. Late packets are not considered.
Attorneys and staff select winners by thoughtfulness, writing quality, and rule compliance. Expect notification by 9 December 2026 and coordination with your school for payment.
When

Deadline and timeline

Application deadline
9 November 2026
51 days left
2026
Applications accepted for 2026 and 2027 enrollment paths on kanoski.com.
Sep - Nov 2026
Draft essay, gather transcript, complete online form.
9 Nov 2026
Application deadline for essay and transcript.
Nov - Dec 2026
Kanoski Bresney staff review submissions.
By 9 Dec 2026
Five winners notified; awards coordinated with colleges.
Questions

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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