Survivors of childhood cancer overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in order to fight their cancer and regain their health. However, a battle with cancer often leaves a family in financial difficulties. For survivors entering college, several funds have been set up to assist families in affording a college education for their child following the diagnosis of childhood cancer. Here we list 25 college scholarships available to cancer survivors or students who have been affected by the cancer diagnosis of a family member.
1. Scott Delgadillo College Scholarship
DEADLINE: June 1
The Friends of Scott Foundation offers an annual scholarship to assist childhood cancer patients and survivors further their education. All applicants must be a cancer survivor or currently receiving treatment. Students must also be enrolled or accepted into an accredited undergraduate school, trade school or graduate school. Applicants must submit an application, proof of college enrollment, letter from physician, an essay and letters of recommendation.
Contact
Friends of Scott Foundation
Scott Delgadillo College Scholarship Fund
6977 Navajo Rd. #168
San Diego, CA 92119
aztec.graphics@yahoo.com
http://www.friendsofscott.org/scholarship.aspx
2. Cameron Siemers Foundation For Hope
DEADLINE: Ongoing
The Cameron Siemers Foundation for Home offers multiple grants, known as “Life Grants” to young adults facing a life threatening illness. The $5000 grants are given to allow survivors to realize a goal and can be used for various purposes, including pursuing an education. Applicants must complete an application and project expense worksheet, as well as provide letters of recommendation and confirmation from a physician.
Contact
Cameron Siemers Foundation For Hope
Jennie Drewno
Life Grants Coach
P.O. Box 1074
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
877-509-9516
jennie@cameronsiemers.org
3. Cancer for College
DEADLINE: January 31
Cancer for College offers college scholarships to amputees and cancer survivors in honor of founder Craig Pollard, a two-time cancer survivor and double amputee. Applicants attending school are eligible for a scholarship of $4000 per year for four years. Applicants from outside this area are eligible to receive one-time awards of between $250 and $4000.
Contact
Cancer for College
Scholarship Application Committee
981 Park Center Drive
Vista, CA 92081
760-599-5096
applications@cancerforcollege.org
4. Cancer Survivors’ Fund
DEADLINE: Varies
The Cancer Survivors’ Fund offers financial aid to those needing prosthetics following cancer. The foundation also offers scholarships to cancer survivors interested in pursuing a college degree. Applicants must volunteer their time assisting young cancer patients and survivors of childhood cancer cope with their cancer diagnosis. Applicants must also complete an application, write a brief essay and provide a letter from a physician verifying the cancer diagnosis.
Contact
Cancer Survivors’ Fund
P.O. Box 792
Missouri City, TX 77459
5. Dennis J. Jungmeyer Scholarship (CARTI Foundation)
DEADLINE: Varies
The Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute (CARTI) has established the Dennis Jungmeyer Scholarship fund in order to provide scholarships to cancer survivors who were former or current CARTI patients. All applicants must be a member of CARTI Kids in order to be eligible for the award.
Contact
Dennis J. Jungmeyer Scholarship (CARTI Foundation)
P.O. Box 55050
Little Rock, AR 72215
800-482-8561
email address
6. Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation
DEADLINE: Varies
The Frank Seleny College Scholarship is offered by the Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation. This scholarship is awarded once a year to young adult survivors of childhood cancer in order to assist them defray costs associated with pursuing a college degree. In order to be eligible for this $1000 award, the student must be a resident of Hawaii and be able to provide documented proof of cancer diagnosis.
Contact
Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation
Frank Seleny College Scholarship
1814 Liliha St.
Honolulu, HI 96817
808-528-5161
info@hccf.org
7. Jay’s World Childhood Cancer Foundation Inc.
DEADLINE: Varies
The Jay’s World Childhood Cancer Foundation is a philanthropic organization in Medford, NY. Jay’s World has recently provided funding for a state-of-the-art cancer treatment center for children. In addition, the foundation provides a scholarship to young adults who have faced childhood cancer. Applicants must be residents of New York state and must be cured, in remission, or have the ability to attend college while undergoing cancer treatment.
Contact
Jay’s World Childhood Cancer Foundation Inc.
Jay’s World Childhood Cancer Foundation College Scholarship Program
PO Box 351
Medford, NY 11763
516-889-0583
8. Jeff Apodaca Celebration of Life Scholarship
DEADLINE: October 1
The Jeff Apodaca Celebration of Life Scholarship provides a $5000 award towards college tuition and books. Applicants must be a New Mexico resident planning on attending a four-year college or university in New Mexico. Students must fill out an application, provide a statement of educational and professional goals, provide proof of New Mexico residence and offer a description of his or her illness, treatment protocol and location of treatment.
Contact
Jeff Apodaca Celebration of Life Scholarship
UNM Children’s Hospital Development Office
700 Lomas Blvd. NE, Two Woodward Center, Suite 100
Albuquerque NM 87102
Attn: Ms. Denise Codding
Fax: 505-277-5687
dacodding@salud.unm.edu
9. Jonathan Jackson Cancer Survivors Scholarship
DEADLINE: Varies
The Mount Airy Community Foundation offers the Jonathon Jackson Cancer Survivors Scholarship to cancer survivors or current patients residing in North Carolina. Residents of Surry County are given first priority for the $500 scholarship. Surry County residents should contact the guidance counselor at Surry Community College or any of the five Surry County high schools for more information or to receive an application.
Contact
Jonathan Jackson Cancer Survivors Scholarship
Mount Airy Community Foundation
PO Box 2851
Hickory, NC 28603
1-888-375-8117
10. Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
DEADLINE: March 1
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults provides a scholarship to young adults who were diagnosed or treated for cancer at age 15 years or older. This $2,500 scholarship is also offered to children who were 15 or older when their sibling or parent was treated for cancer. Scholarship recipients must agree to perform 40 hours of community service in the year the scholarship is awarded. Applicants will also be considered for any of the foundation’s other scholarships without the student to submit another application.
Contact
Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
6310 Stevens Forest Road Ste. 210
Columbia, MD 21046
1-888-393-3863
scholarship@ulmanfund.org
11. Matt Stauffer Memorial Scholarship
DEADLINE: May 1
The Matt Stauffer Memorial Scholarship is offered by the Ulman Fund in addition to the general scholarship described above. The Matt Stauffer scholarship offers $2500 to college students currently fighting cancer or who were diagnosed and treated after the age of 15. Applicants can be non-traditional students up to age 35 years of age and must have been accepted into a 2-year or 4-year college, university, graduate or vocational school. The Matt Stauffer scholarship is based on community service, financial need and medical hardship. Applicants must be able to demonstrate how they used their cancer experience in order to improve the lives of other young adults facing cancer.
Contact
Matt Stauffer Memorial Scholarship
Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
6310 Stevens Forest Road Ste. 210
Columbia, MD 21046
1-888-393-3863
scholarship@ulmanfund.org
12. Michael A. Hunter Memorial Scholarship
DEADLINE: March of each year
The Michael A. Hunter Memorial Scholarship Fund offers an annual scholarship of between $2000 and $3000 to those affected by leukemia or lymphoma. Applicants must be US residents planning to enroll in college full time. Students must demonstrate financial need and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Those applying for the scholarship must have been diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma or have lost a parent to either condition.
Contact
Michael A. Hunter Memorial Scholarship
Adele Lee
4041 MacArthur Blvd. Suite 510
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-553-4202 ext. 46
alee@oc-cf.org
13. Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation Scholarship
DEADLINE: April 1
The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation Scholarship Program is offered by the Community Foundation of the Hudson Valley. Eight scholarships of $1000 each are awarded each year. Applicants must reside in Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Westchester and Ulster counties in New York. Scholarship hopefuls must have been affected by breast cancer and be a high school senior planning to attend an accredited college or trade school.
Contact
Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation Scholarship
Miles of Hope BCF
P.O. Box 405
Lagrangeville, NY 12540
845-264-2005
14. Nicki Leach Foundation
DEADLINE: Ongoing
The Nicki Leech Foundation offers financial assistance to those who were diagnosed and treated for cancer between the ages of 18 and 30 years old. Individuals must demonstrate financial need and be willing to prove diagnosis. While the award does not necessarily have to be used for educational purposes, the foundation was started with the goal of helping cancer survivors who are uninsured earn a degree.
Contact
Nicki Leach Foundation
130 Corridor Road #1657
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32004-1657
904-686-1010
cbleach@nickileach.org
15. Patient Advocate Foundation Scholarships for Survivors
DEADLINE: March 14
The Patient Advocate Foundation offers scholarships for cancer survivors under the age of 25. The applicant must have been diagnosed within the past five years. All scholarship applicants must be pursuing an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree. Applications must be submitted with a 1,000 word essay, official high school or college transcripts, letters of reference and written documentation from a treating physician. The scholarship is approximately $3,000 and is payable directly to the college or university. Scholarship recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA and full time student status while also completing 20 hours of community service for each year the scholarship is awarded.
Contact
Patient Advocate Foundation Scholarships for Survivors
421 Butler Farm Road
Hampton, Virginia 23666
Phone: 800-532-5274
help@patientadvocate.org
16. PinkRose Foundation
DEADLINE: August 31
The PinkRose Breast Cancer Foundation offers financial assistance to children who have lost parents to breast cancer. Applicants must provide an acceptance letter to a college or certificate program as well as a copy of the death certificate noting breast cancer as the parent’s cause of death. Typical scholarships are approximately $1,000 each with several scholarships being offered each year.
Contact
PinkRose Foundation
P.O. Box 4025
Dedham, MA 02027
17. Kay/Moore Scholarship Fund
DEADLINE: Varies
Special Love, Inc. offers several resources, including camps and financial assistance to children battling cancer. The organization also offers the Kay/Moore Scholarship in order to help cancer survivors defray the cost of attending college. Scholarships are available to past and current Special Love program participants.
Contact
Special Love, Inc.
Kay/Moore Scholarship Fund
117 Youth Development Ct.
Winchester, VA 22602
888-930-2707
18. Stephen T. Marchello Scholarship Foundation
DEADLINE: March 15
The Stephen T. Marchello Scholarship is offered to residents of Colorado and Montana who have been diagnosed with any form of childhood cancer. Applicants must be willing to provide two letters of reference as well as information from the doctor about the diagnosis and treatment of the applicant’s cancer. The scholarship candidate must also be able to provide a college acceptance letter upon request. A personal interview might also be required. Some scholarships offered by the foundation are renewable while others are one-time awards.
Contact
Stephen T. Marchello Scholarship Foundation
1170 E. Long Place
Centennial, CO 80122
303-886-5018
fmarchello@earthlink.net
19. The Maryland Community Cancer Scholarship
DEADLINE: April 1
The Maryland Community Cancer Scholarship is offered by the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. Candidates must have been diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15 and 35 years of age or they must have lost a parent to cancer during that same time period. Applicants must also be residents of Maryland planning to attend a vocational program, graduate school, professional school, college or university in the state. The $2,500 scholarships are awarded based on financial need, commitment to community service, professional goals and medical hardship.
Contact
The Maryland Community Cancer Scholarship
Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
6310 Stevens Forest Road Ste. 210
Columbia, MD 21046
1-888-393-3863
scholarship@ulmanfund.org
20. The Pacific West Cancer Fund Scholarships
DEADLINE: Varies
The Pacific West Cancer Fund offers $1,500 scholarships to cancer survivors planning to attend one of 70 colleges and universities across America. Applicants must be willing to provide documentation on the cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Contact
The Pacific West Cancer Fund Scholarships
757 St. Charles Ave. Suite 204
New Orleans, LA 70130
1-504-301-1463.
21. The Susan Fund, Inc.
DEADLINE: April 1
The Susan Fund provides college scholarships to Fairfield County, Connecticut residents who have fought any form of childhood cancer. Candidates must provide a written medical statement from their doctor discussing the cancer diagnosis and current medical condition. Applicants must also provide high school or college transcript, letters of recommendation, a recent photograph and an estimate of educational expenses in order to be considered for the award. Financial status, community service involvement, a personal commitment to serving the community and exceeding in school and academic performance are all considered by the scholarship committee.
Contact
The Susan Fund, Inc.
8 Hilly Field Lane
Westport, CT 06880-2916
203-226-4145
susanfund@gmail.com
22. Through the Looking Glass Scholarships for Students with Parents with Disabilities
DEADLINE: Variable
Through the Looking Glass is an organization serving families experiencing the disability of a parent. The organization offers several scholarships to children with parents with disabilities, including cancer diagnoses. Five of the 15 annual scholarships are given to those experiencing extreme financial hardship while the remaining scholarships are based solely on academic performance, letters of recommendation, essay answers and community service. Applicants must also submit school transcripts and a consent form in order to be considered for any of the 15 awards.
Contact
Through the Looking Glass Scholarships for Students with Parents with Disabilities
3075 Adeline St., Ste. 120
Berkeley, CA 94703
1-800-644-2666
scholarships@lookingglass.org
23. Tim & Tom Gullikson Family Support Fund (Through the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation)
DEADLINE: March 15
The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation offers annual scholarships through the Galaxy Scholarship, Tim & Tom Gullikson Family Support Fund and the Joseph C. Parkhurst Education Fund. The scholarship provides a one-year scholarship of $1000 to college students and up to $6000 for current high school seniors hoping to pursue a college degree. All applicants must be diagnosed with a primary malignant or non-malignant brain or spinal cord tumor prior to age 19. Candidates must submit a signed physician’s letter, two letters of recommendation, a school transcript and a signed medical release form.
Contact
Tim & Tom Gullikson Family Support Fund
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
302 Ridgefield Court
Asheville, NC 28806
800-253-6530
24. Ashley Tamburri Scholarship
DEADLINE: March 31
The Ashley Tamburri Scholarship is administered by the Community Foundation of Frederick County in memory of 16 year old Ashley Elizabeth Tamburri who lost her life after a fight with brain cancer. Candidates must be residents of Maryland and attend high school in Washington, Montgomery, Frederick, Howard or Carroll County in Maryland. Applicants must be a cancer survivor or current cancer patient. The $1,000 renewable scholarship is available to eligible candidates who plan to attend an accredited college or university and can provide an acceptance letter to the school of choice. Applicants must also provide two letters of recommendation and a letter from a physician documenting the cancer diagnosis.
Contact
The Community Foundation of Frederick County
The Ashley Tamburri Scholarship
312 East Church Street
Frederick, MD 21701
info@theashleyfoundation.org
http://www.theashleyfoundation.org/scholarship.html
25. Youth Cancer Survivor College Scholarship
DEADLINE: April of each year
The American Cancer Society offers the Youth Cancer Survivor College Scholarship to residents of Ohio who have been diagnosed with cancer prior to 21 years of age. Applicants must be residents of Columbiana, Erie, Mahoning, Jefferson or Trumbull County in Ohio with plans to attend any accredited university or community college in America. Awards are approximately $1000 and recipients must be willing to submit a copy of transcripts from the first quarter or semester of college following being awarded the scholarship.
Contact
Youth Cancer Survivor College Scholarship
American Cancer Society
5555 Frantz Road
Dublin, OH 43017
800-227-2345
OhioACS@cancer.org
Fighting childhood cancer can be a frightening time for children and their families. It can also be an expensive time, even long after the cancer is cured. Many cancer survivors or children of individuals affected by cancer are unable to pursue a college degree due to the financial burden of cancer. However, many nonprofit organizations offer scholarships to childhood cancer survivors in the United States, allowing survivors to reach their dreams of earning a college degree.
