Who Is Jason Amada? The Story Behind the Second Chance Scholarship

By the editorial team at the Jason Amada Second Chance Scholarship

Jason Amada is the founder of the Jason Amada Second Chance Scholarship, an award created to support students who have overcome real adversity on their path to higher education. This guide explains who Jason Amada is, why he started the scholarship, and what students should know before they apply.

Who is Jason Amada?

Jason Amada is a philanthropist focused on higher education access. He built the Jason Amada Second Chance Scholarship around a simple belief: transcripts do not tell the whole story. Grit, growth, and the willingness to start again matter — and they deserve to be rewarded.

You can learn more about Jason Amada on his LinkedIn profile or on the About the Founder page.

Why Jason Amada started the scholarship

Most scholarships reward the students who already look like winners on paper. Jason Amada wanted to fund the students who fought to be in the room at all — first-generation students, adult learners returning to college, students who stumbled early and rebuilt, and students who carried hardship quietly while showing up anyway.

The Jason Amada Second Chance Scholarship exists to honor that transformation.

What the Jason Amada Second Chance Scholarship offers

$1,000 award paid directly toward tuition, fees, or required academic expenses.
Open to U.S. students currently enrolled in an accredited college or university.
One personal statement essay — no gimmicks, no long application.
A thoughtful, human review by the selection committee Jason Amada assembled.

Full requirements are on the Eligibility page.

Jason Amada's philanthropic vision

Jason Amada believes philanthropy in education should do three things:

Lower the barrier, not add another one. Applications should be short and honest.
Reward the whole person, not just the GPA.
Trust the student to spend the award on what actually keeps them enrolled.

That vision shapes every decision behind the Jason Amada Second Chance Scholarship — from the single-essay format to the direct disbursement policy.

Who should apply

If any of the following describe you, Jason Amada wants to read your application:

You returned to school after a break, a setback, or a career change.
You are the first in your family to pursue a college degree.
You have overcome a personal, financial, or health hardship and kept going.
You are rebuilding after an early academic stumble and your recent record shows it.

How to apply

Review the eligibility criteria.
Prepare your most recent official transcript.
Write one personal statement about your journey and your second chance.
Submit through the application form.

Learn more about Jason Amada

If you or someone you know is fighting for a second chance in higher education, the Jason Amada Second Chance Scholarship was built for exactly that moment. Begin your application today.