Cancer Survivor Scholarships: Creating Bright Futures

For cancer survivors, the journey to recovery is often just the first step. Many aspire to higher education, but the financial burdens resulting from cancer treatment can be overwhelming. Fortunately, numerous organizations offer scholarships specifically for cancer survivors, providing crucial support for their academic pursuits. This article explores the landscape of cancer survivor scholarships, highlighting key programs and resources available to help these resilient individuals achieve their educational dreams.

The Financial Impact of Cancer and the Need for Scholarships

A cancer diagnosis brings staggering financial burdens. Beyond exorbitant medical costs, families face indirect expenses like travel, meals, accommodation, and childcare during treatment. For many, especially the 1 in 5 children with cancer who are already grappling with poverty, these costs can derail future plans, including higher education. Scholarships become a lifeline, empowering survivors to pursue their academic goals without being weighed down by debt.

Cancer for College: A Leading Provider of Scholarships and Support

Since 1993, Cancer for College has been a beacon of hope, providing college scholarships, medical debt relief, and educational experiences to cancer survivors. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by these students, the organization offers comprehensive support to help them thrive.

To date, Cancer for College has provided:

More than 2,000 scholarships, totaling $8 million
Medical debt relief
Life-changing experiences
Educational workshops
Mentorship groups
Networking opportunities

Cancer for College's Bright Futures campaign aims to expand its endowment from $17 million to $25 million by 2027, further amplifying its impact on the lives of cancer survivors. With a graduation rate of over 98% among its scholars, significantly higher than the national average, Cancer for College demonstrates the transformative power of its support.

Diverse Ways to Support Cancer for College

There are many ways to get involved with Cancer for College:

Direct donations
Establishing a family scholarship in your name
Participating in one-on-one mentorships
Connecting scholars with job opportunities
Becoming a guest speaker for mentor groups

The organization's scholars often defy the odds, with 1 in 3 being the first in their families to attend college. With an average family income of $49,000 per year, these scholarships directly contribute to breaking socio-economic barriers. Post-cancer, over 80% of Cancer for College scholars express a desire to give back through their chosen career paths, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

Featured Cancer Survivor Scholarship Programs

Many organizations offer scholarships tailored to cancer survivors. Here are some notable examples:

Brian Morden Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship, offered by www.brianmordenfoundation.org, awards up to $1000 to students with a passion for technology and music, pursuing higher education in either of those fields or medicine. Applicants must be US citizens and high school graduates.
Cameron Siemers Foundation for Hope: The Cameron Siemers Foundation for Hope (www.cameronsiemers.org) provides $5000 "life grants" to young adults aged 18-28 diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses, including cancer. These grants support personal dreams or community service projects.
Cancer Survivors' Fund: The Cancer Survivors Fund (www.cancersurvivorsfund.org) offers scholarships to US residents who are cancer survivors or currently diagnosed. Awards are based on hardship and academic qualifications.
CURE Cancer Support Scholarship: The Lep Foundation for Youth Education Cancer Support Scholarship, also known as the John Lepping Memorial Scholarship (www.lepfoundation.org/applications), awards up to $5000 to students diagnosed with childhood cancer whose treatment created a significant financial burden.
Deana’s Wish Memorial Scholarship: The DLH Foundation (www.dlhfoundation.org/scholarship) provides scholarships up to $2000 to college students affected by gastro-esophageal cancers in their families.
Howard Honigfeld Scholarship Program: The Fighting Children’s Cancer Foundation (www.fccf.info), with the support of the family of Howard Honigfeld, offers a $2500 scholarship to a cancer survivor pursuing higher education.
Jackie Spellman Scholarship Foundation: The Jackie Spellman Scholarship Foundation (www.jackiespellmanbenefit.org) awards annual college scholarships ranging from $3000 to $12000 to students affected by leukemia or lymphoma, either as survivors or related to patients.
Kids-4-Kids: Kids-4-Kids (www.kids4kidswithcancer.org) offers educational aid to survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed before age 18.
My Hometown Heroes: My Hometown Heroes (www.myhometownheroes.org) provides scholarships to young adult cancer survivors between 17 and 39 pursuing a college education.
Northwestern Mutual Foundation Childhood Cancer Survivor Scholarship Program: Northwestern Mutual Foundation (www.scholarsapply.org/nmsurvivors) awards 25 applicants $5000 scholarships. A sibling version of this scholarship is also available.
Patient Advocate Foundation Scholarships for Survivors: The Patient Advocate Foundation (www.patientadvocate.org) awards eight $5,000 scholarships per year to cancer survivors under 25 whose education was interrupted by their diagnosis. Recipients must complete 20 hours of community service and maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States: The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States (www.curethekids.org) offers scholarships to individuals diagnosed with a childhood brain or spinal cord cancer before age 19.
Simon Cancer Foundation: The Harvey Simon Memorial Scholarship (www.thescf.org) is available to US residents enrolled in a 4-year college who have had any type of cancer.
Textbook Scholarship Program: SurvivorVision (www.survivorvision.org) offers a Textbook Scholarship Program to pediatric cancer patients/survivors diagnosed before age 18, providing up to $1000 per year for textbook costs, renewable for up to 5 years (maximum $5000).
The Ryan Mullaly Second Chance Fund: The Ryan Mullaly Second Chance Fund (www.ryans2ndchancefund.org) offers a $1000 scholarship for cancer survivors diagnosed with lymphoma between 13 and 20 and currently 25 or younger.
The Stephen Cancer Survivors’ Foundation: The Stephen Cancer Survivors’ Foundation (www.cancersurvivorsfund.org) provides scholarships for young cancer survivors, along with additional resources.
The SAMFund: Surviving and Moving Forward: The SAMFund (www.thesamfund.org) provides grants and scholarships for young adult cancer survivors between 21 and 39.

Additional Scholarship Resources

Carolyn’s Compassionate Children (CCC): www.cccscholarships.org/scholarship offers a scholarship program and a database of financial resources for higher education.
College Scholarships: www.collegescholarships.org/scholarships/cancer provides information on federal and private sources of scholarships for cancer survivors.
FinAid: www.finaid.org/scholarships/cancer provides information about scholarships for cancer patients, cancer survivors, children of a cancer patient or survivor, students who lost a parent to cancer, and students pursuing careers in cancer treatment.
The National GRACE Foundation: www.graceamerica.org provides free college admissions and financial aid counseling to high-school and college-aged students and their families affected by pediatric cancer.
T. Marchello Scholarship Foundation: www.stmfoundation.org lists information about other scholarships for survivors.
Scholarships.com: www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/scholarships/scholarships-by-type/cancer-scholarships links to cancer foundations that have created scholarships for survivors.

General Eligibility Requirements and Application Tips

While each scholarship has its own specific requirements, some common eligibility criteria and application tips apply:

Age: Many scholarships target applicants under 25, though some extend to older adults.
Citizenship: Most scholarships require US citizenship or permanent residency.
Cancer Diagnosis: Applicants must be cancer survivors or currently undergoing treatment. Some scholarships also support family members affected by cancer.
Enrollment: Scholarships typically require enrollment in an accredited college, university, or vocational school.
Financial Need: Many scholarships consider financial need as a key factor.
Academic Performance: A minimum GPA is often required.
Essay: Most applications require an essay addressing the applicant's cancer experience, educational goals, and future aspirations.
Medical Verification: A letter from a doctor confirming the diagnosis and treatment history is usually required.
Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or employers can strengthen an application.

Application Tips:

Start Early: Give yourself ample time to gather the necessary documents and write a compelling essay.
Proofread Carefully: Ensure your application is free of errors.
Highlight Your Strengths: Showcase your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.
Be Authentic: Share your personal story and demonstrate your passion for education.
Meet Deadlines: Pay close attention to application deadlines and submit all materials on time.

Additional Resources for Students with Disabilities

Cancer survivors may experience long-term side effects that qualify as disabilities. Several resources provide support and funding for students with disabilities:

Creating Options: A Resource on Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities: This resource provides up-to-date information about federal financial aid programs and lists organizations that offer disability-related grants and scholarships.
The Disability Programs and Resource Center at San Francisco State University: This center has compiled a list of scholarships for students with various disabilities.
The University of Washington: This university offers a page with tips on searching for funding for students with disabilities, including vocational rehab and other state programs.
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB): This organization offers scholarships to legally blind students going to technical, undergraduate, or graduate school.
Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship (for Study Abroad): US Citizen undergraduates who are receiving Federal Pell Grants, applying to or accepted into a study abroad or internship program approved by the student’s university.

Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success

College is an exciting time filled with new experiences, knowledge, and relationships. Cancer survivors may face unique challenges, such as managing ongoing medical needs, dealing with treatment side effects, and navigating academic accommodations. However, with determination, support, and access to resources like scholarships, they can overcome these obstacles and achieve their full potential.

Accommodations and Support:

College and trade schools: These institutions can provide accommodations for cancer-related problems.
ACT and SAT tests: Cancer patients may qualify for accommodations on these standardized tests.

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