Scholarship
THE FRESH START
SCHOLARSHIP
Helping the next generation rebuild communities. Two awards of $1,500 each year for students pursuing careers in emergency management, environmental science, construction, and related fields.
Award Overview
The following summarizes the core details of the Fresh Start Scholarship. Full eligibility requirements and application instructions are listed below.
| Scholarship Name | 911 Restoration Fresh Start Scholarship |
| Award Amount | $1,500 per cycle |
| Award Frequency | Biannual — spring cycle and fall cycle |
| Total Annual Value | $3,000 |
| Eligible Fields | Emergency management, environmental science, construction management, civil engineering, public safety, disaster preparedness, and related fields |
| Enrollment Status | Currently enrolled in or accepted at an accredited two-year, four-year, or trade institution |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 cumulative |
| Residency | U.S. citizens and permanent residents |
| Essay Length | 500 to 700 words |
| Submission Email | scholarship@911restoration.com |
Award Cycles
The Fresh Start Scholarship is awarded twice per year, aligned with the academic calendar. All funds are disbursed directly to the recipient's accredited institution, not to the individual student.
Spring Cycle
Funds disbursed to recipient's institution in August.
Fall Cycle
Funds disbursed to recipient's institution in January.
Your Application Essay
All applicants must submit an original essay of 500 to 700 words in response to the following prompt. Essays are reviewed by an independent selection committee.
"Describe a community you have seen impacted by a natural or man-made disaster, and explain how professionals in your field can help affected residents recover and rebuild more resiliently."
Strong submissions will demonstrate a clear understanding of how the applicant's chosen field contributes to disaster recovery, community resilience, or restoration work.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the Fresh Start Scholarship, all of the following must apply.
- Currently enrolled in or formally accepted to an accredited two-year, four-year, or trade institution
- Pursuing a degree or certification in emergency management, environmental science, construction management, civil engineering, public safety, disaster preparedness, or a closely related field
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Application Materials
Submit all required materials by the applicable deadline.
Original Essay
500–700 words responding to the prompt above.
Unofficial Academic Transcript
Showing a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Letter of Enrollment or Acceptance
Formal documentation from your institution.
Contact Information
Your full name and contact email address.
Subject Line Format
Use exactly:
Fresh Start Scholarship [Spring/Fall] [Year] - [Your Full Name]
How Winners Are Selected
The Fresh Start Scholarship is administered through a community foundation partner, a 501(c)(3) public charity that manages application review, winner selection, and fund disbursement on behalf of 911 Restoration. The selection committee operates independently and has no direct affiliation with 911 Restoration.
Winners are selected based on essay quality, demonstrated understanding of community recovery and resilience, and alignment with the scholarship's eligible fields of study. All applicants are notified of their status following the winner announcement date.
Fund Disbursement
Scholarship funds are disbursed directly to the recipient's educational institution. No funds are paid directly to individual applicants.
Why 911 Restoration Sponsors This Scholarship
911 Restoration operates more than 300 franchise locations across the United States. Every day, our teams respond to water damage, fire damage, mold, sewage emergencies, and natural disasters that disrupt people's lives and properties.
Investing in the Pipeline
The restoration industry depends on a pipeline of trained professionals across emergency management, environmental science, and construction. The students who earn degrees in these fields become the emergency managers, remediation specialists, and engineers who help people recover when things go wrong.
The Fresh Start Promise
The Fresh Start name comes from the core promise at the heart of our brand. Every property we restore represents a Fresh Start for the family or business on the other side of a difficult event. This scholarship extends that promise to the professionals who will carry restoration and recovery forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply?
Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is currently enrolled in or accepted to an accredited institution and pursuing a degree or certification in emergency management, environmental science, construction management, civil engineering, public safety, disaster preparedness, or a related field with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
How is the scholarship administered?
The Fresh Start Scholarship is administered through a community foundation partner, a 501(c)(3) public charity. The foundation manages the selection process and disburses funds directly to recipients' educational institutions. This structure provides tax advantages for the program and independent oversight of the selection process.
Will funds be paid directly to me?
No. All scholarship funds are disbursed directly to your accredited educational institution to be applied toward tuition, fees, or other qualified educational expenses. No funds are paid directly to individual applicants.
Can I apply to both the spring and fall cycles?
Yes. Students who were not selected in a prior cycle are welcome to apply again in a subsequent cycle. Each application cycle is reviewed independently.
How are winners selected?
Winners are chosen by an independent selection committee based on essay quality, demonstrated understanding of disaster recovery and community resilience, and alignment with the scholarship's eligible fields. The committee has no direct connection to 911 Restoration.
When will I be notified?
All applicants are notified of their status following the winner announcement date for their cycle. Spring cycle winners are announced May 1. Fall cycle winners are announced November 1.
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application materials before the upcoming deadline. Spring and fall cycles are reviewed independently — students may apply to multiple cycles.
Submit Your Application Email: scholarship@911restoration.com
