2026 Future Advocate Scholarship

At The Cifarelli Law Firm, we have built our reputation on giving a voice to those who need it most: children and survivors of abuse who deserve protection, justice, and advocacy. Led by nationally recognized attorney Tom Cifarelli, our team has dedicated decades to fighting for victims of child abuse and assault, ensuring their stories are heard and their futures secured. Our mission has always been about more than just legal victories; it is about creating lasting change and preventing future harm.

With this same spirit of advocacy, we are proud to announce the Future Advocate Scholarship. This scholarship is designed to empower the next generation of leaders who are passionate about making a difference for children and underserved communities. Whether through careers in psychology, pediatrics, law, child care, or community advocacy, we want to support students who are driven by compassion and a commitment to protecting the most vulnerable.

We invite students to share an experience from their own childhood that inspired their desire to advocate for others or to serve their community. By reflecting on these formative experiences, applicants have the opportunity to not only pursue their educational goals but also honor the values of advocacy, empathy, and justice that The Cifarelli Law Firm champions every day. Apply today and take the first step toward becoming the advocate you aspire to be. If you are interested in applying, make sure to read the Eligibility and Application Requirements sections below, and be sure to submit your application before the October 31, 2026 application deadline.

Award Amount: $1,000

Deadline: October 31, 2026

Eligibility

• The scholarship is open to any current high school senior, vocational student, college student or graduate student who is a legal resident of the United States residing in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia and who is enrolled in a vocational program or two to four year post-secondary institution for the Spring 2026 Semester.
• Employees of The Cifarelli Law Firm, their immediate families (parent, child, sibling, and spouse), and persons living in the same households of such individuals (whether related or not), are not eligible to participate in the competition. 
• Candidates for this scholarship should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher and be in good overall academic standing.

Application Requirements

• The candidate must fill out the form below with all necessary information
• The candidate must submit a 500-word essay response to the prompt: Share an experience from your childhood that shaped your desire to advocate for others or make a difference in your community.
  • Please note that all essays will be checked for AI writing. If AI writing is deemed present in the essay, the application will be denied.
• The candidate must submit a professional resumé that lists their experience, both professional and academic.
• The candidate must submit a transcript from their current school. First-year college students, graduate students, or individuals who have recently transferred schools must submit an unofficial transcript from their current school, as well as the most recent official transcript from their prior school. High school students can submit proof of acceptance to their college or university.
• Preference will be given to students either from or attending secondary school in the state.

The recipient of the 2026 Future Advocate Scholarship will be chosen during the month following the scholarship deadline. 

For all scholarship-related inquiries, please use this contact form. We are unable to answer scholarship questions by phone, email, or through any other contact forms listed on this website.