Navigating Higher Education: A Guide to Scholarships for Leukemia & Lymphoma Survivors and Those Affected by Cancer

Planning for the future during or after cancer treatment presents unique challenges. Hospital stays, interruptions in education, and the high costs associated with cancer care can significantly impact one's ability to pursue higher education. Fortunately, numerous scholarships and financial aid resources exist to support students affected by cancer. This article provides a comprehensive overview of scholarship opportunities specifically designed for leukemia and lymphoma survivors, individuals impacted by other types of cancer, and their families.

Scholarships for Blood Cancer Survivors and Patients

Several organizations recognize the unique financial burdens faced by blood cancer patients and survivors and offer scholarships to help them achieve their educational goals.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) Scholarship for Blood Cancer Survivors

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) understands the challenges of planning for the future during or after cancer treatment. To assist those navigating life after diagnosis or treatment, LLS offers a scholarship for blood cancer survivors. This scholarship provides up to $7,500 to cover tuition for virtual or in-person vocational, trade, two-year, or four-year undergraduate education for one year. This scholarship is a testament to LLS's commitment to supporting survivors in their pursuit of higher education.

Hunter Memorial Scholarship

The Hunter Memorial Scholarship is specifically for Leukemia/Lymphoma patients and/or children of non-surviving Leukemia/Lymphoma patients who are graduating high school seniors, community college, and four-year university students. Applicants are evaluated based on their "Will Win" attitude, essay quality, recommendations, cancer survivorship story, commitment to education, and financial need.

Scott Delgadillo Scholarship Program

The Scott Delgadillo Scholarship Program offers multiple awards to U.S. citizens impacted by leukemia or lymphoma, either as survivors, individuals diagnosed with the diseases, or individuals with an immediate family member who has or had leukemia or lymphoma while living in the same household. Eligible students include high school seniors or those attending community college, a four-year university, or graduate school. A minimum un-weighted 3.0 GPA is required. Scholarship funds must be used for educational purposes, such as tuition, books, or housing at a two- or four-year college, technical or trade school, or an accredited employment-training program.

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Scholarships for Those Affected by Any Type of Cancer

Beyond blood cancers, many scholarships are available for students affected by any type of cancer, whether they are survivors themselves or have family members who have battled the disease.

LLS Scholarship for Students Impacted by Any Type of Cancer

In addition to the scholarship for blood cancer survivors, LLS also awards $4,000 scholarships to students who have been impacted by any type of cancer.

Karen Baker Scholarship Fund

The Karen Baker Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to students directly impacted by cancer, either through their own illness or that of an immediate family member. Applicants must graduate from a Chester County high school with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and plan to attend a four-year accredited college. The scholarship offers a significant financial award of $5,000 per academic year of college attendance, for four consecutive years, totaling $20,000.

Scholarship for Delaware Valley Residents Pursuing Careers Helping Children with Cancer

This scholarship is specifically for students residing in the Delaware Valley who are accepted to college or university and plan to enroll, have a proven record of excellence, and are pursuing a major that will prepare them for a career in a field that helps children facing cancer. The scholarship offers a substantial financial award of $5,000 per academic year of college attendance, for four consecutive years, totaling $20,000.

New Jersey Scholarships for Students Affected by Cancer

Several scholarships are available for students who live and/or attend school in New Jersey and have experienced cancer themselves or had a sibling or parent who experienced cancer. Scholarships of up to $5000 per year are awarded and are renewable for up to an additional three years. The final amount of each scholarship is determined based on financial need and status as a full-time or part-time student.

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Sandra M. Scholarship

The Sandra M. Scholarship is awarded to a student graduating from a high school in either Ocean or Monmouth County, New Jersey, who has been accepted as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, or vocational school. The evaluation process considers various factors, including financial need, academic excellence, community service, extracurricular activities, leadership, and work experience. One scholarship totaling up to $20,000 is awarded annually, paid out in amounts of up to $5,000 per year for up to four years.

Legacy Scholarship Program

The Legacy scholarship program supports U.S. citizens who have lost a parent or guardian to cancer.

Scholarships for Cancer Survivors and Siblings of Those Affected by Pediatric Cancer

These scholarships are available to U.S. citizens and siblings of individuals who are in current treatment, have survived, or passed away from pediatric childhood cancer. Applicants must be age 25 or under and planning to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities and Resources

In addition to the specific scholarships listed above, several other resources can help students affected by cancer find financial aid for their education.

FinAidSite

FinAidSite provides a comprehensive collection of 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 site offers numerous links to individual scholarship opportunities and information on other types of financial aid.

The SAMFund

While The SAMFund no longer awards scholarships for undergraduate tuition, it provides grants for other expenses, such as medical bills, school books, and computers. These grants cover a wide range of post-treatment financial needs, including health insurance premiums, rent/mortgage assistance, car payments, continuing education loans, family-building expenses, gym memberships, and mental health expenses. The average grant amount is typically in the $1,500 - $2,000 range. A "Good Candidate" can demonstrate he/she has financial need as a direct result of his/her cancer experience; has needs that are immediate; and lacks resources/other sources of support.

Scott J.

Past scholarship winners of The Simon Cancer Foundation are not eligible to reapply. Applicants must sign an affidavit verifying they have had cancer during their lifetime. Applicants must be enrolled, or be planning to enroll, full time in an accredited college or university. Applicants must reside within specific coverage areas in NY, NJ, FL, and GA. Applicants must be a permanent resident of one of specified counties in each state.

TRIO

Applicants must be a TRIO member to apply. Must have a GPA of 2.5 or above. Must have financial need and provide a current transcript. Must use scholarship award for continuing education at an accredited college, university or trade/technical school certificate program. TRIO will be awarding several non-renewable $1,000 scholarships.

Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship (for Study Abroad)

The Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship supports U.S. citizen undergraduates who are receiving Federal Pell Grants and are applying to or accepted into a study abroad or internship program approved by their university. Students must be studying in the same country for at least 3 weeks, or 2 weeks for current community college students, and the country may not be on the State Department's Travel Warning list (level 3/4 on Travel Advisory). The amount of the financial award varies by scholarship.

APOSW Scholarship Fund

The APOSW Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance for members of the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers (APOSW) to attend the annual conference. This scholarship is awarded based on financial need, with priority given to first-time attendees and those who have shown a strong commitment to the field of pediatric oncology/hematology social work. The fund supports new social workers in developing their skills and advancing professionally in this field, offering a limited number of grants to new members each year.

Creating Options: A Resource on Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities

This resource features up-to-date information about federal financial aid programs, describes the relationship between state vocational rehabilitation agencies and the financial aid process, and lists organizations that offer disability-related grants and scholarships for postsecondary education. It also includes a list of sponsors of scholarships specifically designated for students with disabilities.

Mesothelioma Help Scholarship Essay Contest

This essay contest is open to undergraduate and graduate students who are 18-years-old or older and are currently enrolled in a college or university located within the 50 United States or the District of Columbia.

General Eligibility Requirements

While specific eligibility requirements vary depending on the scholarship, some common criteria include:

Cancer Patient/Survivor Status: Most scholarships require applicants to be cancer patients or survivors. Some scholarships also extend eligibility to family members of those affected by cancer.
Citizenship: Many scholarships require applicants to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Enrollment Status: Applicants typically need to be enrolled or accepted into an accredited college, university, or vocational school. Some scholarships may require full-time enrollment.
GPA: A minimum GPA, such as 2.5 or 3.0, may be required for some scholarships.
Financial Need: Many scholarships consider financial need as part of the selection process.
Geographic Restrictions: Some scholarships may be limited to residents of specific states or counties.

Application Process

The application process for scholarships typically involves completing an application form and submitting supporting documents, such as:

Tax forms from the previous year for parents and applicant
Letter from the university stating the applicant is in good standing
Transcripts from the last two years
Diagnosis letter
Recommendation letters
Total cost of attendance

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