Tap to Call 
The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., is now accepting applications for our sixth annual Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship!
The Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship Fund awards $5,000 to a student who is:
- Diagnosed on the autism spectrum or who has a close family member living with autism; and
- Currently enrolled in or accepted to an accredited college, university, or vocational school in the U.S. for undergrad or post-graduate studies for the 2021 Fall Semester.
Eligible students are encouraged to complete an application form, provide a copy of academic transcripts, and submit a short essay on one of three provided prompts. The submission deadline for the 2021 Scholarship is July 31, 2021, at 11:59 pm EST. A winner will be notified in August 2021.
Read more about our scholarship opening announcement on this press release. To find information about the Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship, rules, and required submissions and essay topics, visit our scholarship page.
Avonte’s Story
The Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship honors the legacy of Avonte Oquendo, a 14-year-old boy with autism who in 2013 tragically drowned in the East River after wandering away from his school in Queens, NY.
Avonte’s story sparked an unprecedented outpouring of support in our local community, and ultimately inspired legislation to protect students with special needs – both in New York City (Avonte’s Law) and nationally through federal law (Kevin and Avonte’s Law).
Our attorneys at The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., who represented Avonte’s mother in a wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of Avonte in 2013, are proud to keep Avonte’s story alive and help students pursue their dreams through higher education.
