FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS

Families who are faced with cancer undergo severe physical, psychological and financial strain. Students who are fighting cancer must often interrupt their education and cannot work to save money for college or participate in extracurricular activities. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery can be extremely debilitating, requiring extensive rehabilitation. Cancer survivors find it more difficult to find health, life and disability insurance, and the insurance that is available to them is usually much more expensive. They are not eligible for military scholarships, such as ROTC scholarships.

Below is a listing for Financial Aid and College Scholarship programs for cancer patients.

Financial Aid

Scholarships for Cancer Survivors

American Cancer Society (39 states, including DC)
Some divisions of the American Cancer Society offer college scholarships for pediatric cancer survivors. The Young Cancer Survivor Scholarships are restricted to students within the states served by the division, and details vary from division to division. Several hundred scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 are awarded each year. Information about these awards and the telephone number for your division can be obtained by calling the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.
Jeff Apodaca Celebration of Life Scholarship (New Mexico)
The Jeff Apodaca Celebration of Life Scholarship is awarded to pediatric cancer survivors who were treated at one of the UNM Hospitals and who are attending a New Mexico college or university. The application deadline is in late August. To obtain an application, call 1-505-272-1333, fax 1-505-277-5687
Breast Cancer CD 2000, Inc. (United States)
Breast Cancer CD 2000, Inc. awards an annual $500 scholarship to an outstanding student with aspirations of assisting cancer patients and their families. The award is given in the name of “The Soul Survivors”, a choir of breast cancer survivors. Scholarships are awarded purely on the basis of merit, without regard to race, gender, socio-economic status, or disability. The application deadline is February 1.
Cancer for College (United States)
Cancer for College provides one-time and recurring scholarships for current and former cancer patients under age 35. The scholarships are available for attendance at a four-year or two-year undergraduate institution or graduate school. Amounts vary from hundreds to thousands of dollars. The deadline is May 1, except for applicants from the Pacific Northwest (WA, ID, OR, MT) who have a September 1 deadline. Cancer for College was founded in 1993 by Craig Pollard, a two-time cancer survivor.
Cancer Survivors Fund (United States)
The Cancer Survivors Fund provides scholarships for cancer survivors who are residents of the United States. Candidates must be a cancer survivor or currently diagnosed with cancer, but do not need to be receiving treatment to qualify. Scholarships are awarded based on hardship and academic qualifications of the candidates. The application deadline is June 1. The Cancer Survivors Fund also awards scholarships to the MD Anderson Pediatric Center, with plans to award scholarships for cancer survivors to the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, and other colleges. For more information, write to Cancer Survivors Fund, Mike Yonter, PO Box 792, Missouri City, TX 77459, call 1-281-437-7142, fax 1-281-437-9568, or send email to csf@cancersurvivorsfund.org.
Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation (United States, Brain Tumors)
The Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation awards scholarships for families affected by brain tumors, whether the recipient is a patient, survivor, or immediate relative of one. The award is granted based on financial need, with special consideration given to members of the tennis community. The foundation awards a maximum of $25,000 in scholarships annually. The application deadline is April 1. For more information, write to Donna Doherty, Executive Director, Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation, 175 No. Main St., Branford, CT 06405, or call 1-888-GULLIKSON.
Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation (Hawaii)
The Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation has a scholarship fund for young-adult survivors of childhood cancer. Candidates must have had a cancer diagnosis before the age of 18 and have been treated in the state of Hawaii. Applications must be submitted each year between April and July. For more information or an application, write to Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation (HCCF), 1814 Liliha St., Honolulu, HI 96817, call 1-808-528-5161 or 1-866-443-HCCF (4223), fax 1-808-521-4689, or send email to hccf@lava.net.
Michael A. Hunter Memorial Scholarship (California, Leukemia)
The Michael A. Hunter Memorial Scholarship provides two $5,000 scholarships to high school seniors and college students who are leukemia patients or children of a non-surviving leukemia patient. Candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and must be residents of Orange County, California. Applications are available in January. This award is managed by the Orange County Community Foundation.
Jonathan Jackson Cancer Survivors Scholarship (North Carolina)
The Jonathan Jackson Cancer Survivors Scholarship of $500 is awarded annually by the Mount Airy Community Foundation to cancer survivors and current cancer patients from North Carolina. Priority is given to Surry County residents. Candidates should contact a guidance counselor at any of the five high schools in Surry County, Surry Community College, or the Mount Airy Community Foundation. The Mount Airy Community Foundation can be reached at 1-888-375-8117.
Jay’s World Childhood Cancer Foundation (New York)
Jay’s World Childhood Cancer Foundation Inc. has a college scholarship program for children with cancer living in New York. Candidates must either be cured of cancer, in remission, or able to attend college while undergoing treatment. The deadline is April 15. For more information, write to Jay’s World Childhood Cancer Foundation, Inc., c/o Napolitano, 5 Knoll Lane, Glen Head, NY 11545, call 1-516-671-7410, or send email to info2@jaysworld.org.
Dennis J. Jungmeyer Scholarship (CARTI Foundation) (Arkansas)
The Dennis J. Jungmeyer Scholarship is awarded to current or former pediatric cancer patients at the Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute (CARTI). Approximately ten scholarships of $2,500 each are awarded each year. For more information, write to Dennis J. Jungmeyer Scholarship, PO Box 55050, Little Rock, AR 72215, or call 1-800-482-8561 or 1-501-296-3405.
Stephen T. Marchello Scholarship Foundation (Colorado, Montana)
The Stephen T. Marchello Scholarship Foundation provides college scholarships of up to $2,500 a year for four years to high school graduates who are cancer survivors. Currently the scholarships are restricted to cancer survivors from Colorado and Montana, with most of the awards given to Colorado survivors. The deadline is in mid-March. For more information, write to Stephen T. Marchello Scholarship Foundation, 1170 E. Long Place, Centennial, CO 80122, call 1-303-886-5018, or send email to fmarchello@earthlink.net.
The Maryland Community Cancer Scholarship (Maryland)
The Maryland Community Cancer Scholarship provides a $2,500 scholarship to college students who were diagnosed with cancer or who have lost a parent to cancer or whose parent is currently fighting cancer. The diagnosis must have occurred when the applicant was between the ages of 15 and 35, and the applicant must be age 35 or younger at the time of application. Applicants must be Maryland residents who are currently attending or planning to attend a public 2-year or 4-year college or university or vocational program in the state of Maryland (including graduate and professional schools). Recipients are required to complete 25 hours of community service. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need, medical hardship, dedication to community service, leadership, commitment to the Maryland community, commitment to educational and professional goals, and a demonstration of how the applicant has used their cancer experience to impact the lives of other young adults affected by cancer. The deadline is in May 1. Send email to scholarship@ulmanfund.org to request an application. This scholarship is one of several cancer scholarships offered by the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
The Ryan Mullaly Second Chance Fund (United States)
The Ryan Mullaly Second Chance Fund offers a $1,000 scholarship for cancer survivors. Candidates must be US citizens or permanent residents, have been diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 13 and 20, and currently be age 25 or younger. Priority is given to students still undergoing treatment, students with a significant treatment history, students with substantial post-treatment side effects, and students just beginning their college education. For more information, write to Ryan Mullaly Second Chance Fund, 26 Meadow Lane, Pennington, NJ 08534, call 1-609-737-1800, or send email to The2ndChanceFund@aol.com.
National Collegiate Cancer Foundation (United States)
The National Collegiate Cancer Foundation sponsors an annual nonrenewable $1,000 scholarship for college students whose lives have been impacted by cancer and who are seeking to continue their higher education while still undergoing treatment. Applicants must be college students between the ages of 17 and 27. Recipients are selected on the basis of financial need, an essay, recommendations, cancer story, and demonstrating a “Will Win” attitude. The deadline is September 15. For more information, call 1-717-215-0943, write to National Collegiate Cancer Foundation, Scholarship Committee, PO Box 14521, Silver Spring, MD 20911, or send email to info@collegiatecancer.org.
The Pacific West Cancer Fund Scholarships (United States)
The Pacific West Cancer Fund provides $1,500 scholarships for cancer survivors through 70 colleges and universities nationwide. For more information, write to Pacific West Cancer Fund (PWCF), 757 St. Charles Avenue, Suite 204, New Orleans, LA 70130, call 1-504-301-1464, or fax 1-504-301-1466. You can also contact the financial aid office at your college or university.
Patient Advocate Foundation (United States)
The Patient Advocate Foundation awards eight Scholarships for Survivors of $5,000 per year for cancer survivors to initiate or complete a course of study that has been interrupted or delayed by a diagnosis of cancer or other life-threatening, chronic or debilitating disease. Recipients must maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Recipients are required to complete 20 hours of community service during the school year. The application deadline is May 1. For more information, write to Patient Advocate Foundation, 700 Thimble Shoals Blvd., Suite 200, Newport News, VA 23606, call 1-800-532-5274, or fax 1-757-873-8999.
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States (United States, Brain Tumors)
The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States (PBTFUS) provides scholarships for people who have been diagnosed with a childhood brain or spinal cord tumor. The application deadlines are June 1 and December 1. For more information, write to National Family Support Program Coordinator, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States, 302 Ridgefield Ct., Asheville, NC 28806, call 1-800-253-6530, or send email to familysupport@pbtfus.org.
The SAMFund: Surviving And Moving Forward
The SAMFund provides grants and scholarships for young adult survivors of cancer between the ages of 17 and 30. For more information, send email to info@thesamfund.org.
SCAPON Childhood Cancer Survivor Educational Scholarship (Southern California)
The Southern California chapter of the Association of Pediatric Oncology Nurses (SCAPON) awards the Childhood Cancer Survivor Educational Scholarship of $500 to a cancer survivor diagnosed with cancer prior to age 21. Candidates must either be currently receiving treatment or have completed treatment for cancer. Candidates must be residents of Southern California. For more information, write to Jacki Blake, 25724 Sunrise Way, Loma Linda, CA 92354, call 1-909-558-8400 or 1-909-796-2134, or send email to JBlake@AHS.LLUMC.edu.
Seize The Day Award (Queensland, Australia)
The Seize The Day Student Award is available to young Queenslanders aged between 16-21 years who have had a personal experience with cancer either themselves or with an immediate family member.
Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation (United States)
The Andr? Sobel River of Life Foundation awards the Andr? Sobel Award of $5,000 and honorable mentions of $1,000 to young cancer survivors under the age of 21. This is an essay competition. The deadline is in early April. For more information, call 1-310-276-7111 or send email to Info@AndreRiverOfLife.org.
Special Love, Inc. (United States)
Special Love, Inc. offers college scholarships of $1,000 to $2,250 to cancer survivors and students diagnosed with cancer, regardless of whether they are currently receiving treatment or not. Eligibility is limited to current and/or past participants of programs sponsored by Special Love, Inc. in the Mid-Atlantic region. The application deadline is April 1. For more information, write to Special Love, Inc., 117 Youth Development Court, Winchester, VA 22602, call 1-540-667-3774 or 1-888-930-2707, or fax 1-540-667-8144.
Matt Stauffer Memorial Scholarship (United States)
The Matt Stauffer Memorial Scholarship provides a $2,500 scholarship to college students who are fighting cancer or who have overcome cancer. Applicants must be age 35 or younger at the time of application and be currently attending or accepted to a 2-year or 4-year college, university or vocational program (including graduate and professional schools). Recipients are required to complete 25 hours of community service. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need, medical hardship, dedication to community service, commitment to educational and professional goals, and a demonstration of how the applicant has used their cancer experience to impact the lives of other young adults affected by cancer. The applicant must have been diagnosed with cancer since reaching age 15. The deadline is in May 1. Send email to scholarship@ulmanfund.org to request an application. This scholarship is one of several cancer scholarships offered by the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
The Susan Fund, Inc. (Connecticut)
The Susan Fund provides scholarships to Fairfield County residents who have been diagnosed with cancer. The application deadline is April 1. For more information, write to The Susan Fund, Inc., 8 Hilly Field Lane, Westport, CT 06880, or call 1-203-226-4145.
Ashley Tamburri Scholarship (Maryland)
The Ashley Foundation, Inc. awards the Ashley Tamburri Scholarship to high school seniors who are cancer survivors or currently diagnosed with cancer and attending high school in a county served by the Foundation (Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, or Washington Counties in Maryland). Candidates do not need to be receiving treatment to qualify. The cancer may be in remission or deemed cured. Scholarships are not based upon financial need or scholastic ability. The purpose of the scholarships is to encourage graduating seniors who are cancer survivors or are currently coping with a cancer diagnosis to pursue a college or university education. The scholarship is awarded to the applicant who most exemplifies the life values and career goals of Ashley Tamburri and who desires to use their cancer experience to help others coping with a life threatening or life-altering event. For more information, write to The Ashley Foundation, Inc., Ashley Tamburri Scholarship, 22 South Market Street, Suite 17, Frederick, MD 21701, call 1-301-694-6414, or send email to info@theashleyfoundation.org.
The Vera Yip Memorial Scholarship (United States)
The Vera Yip Memorial Scholarship provides a $2,500 scholarship to college students who were diagnosed with cancer between ages 15 and 35 or who have lost a parent to cancer or whose parent is currently fighting cancer. Applicants must be age 35 or younger at the time of application and be currently attending or accepted to a 4-year college or university and seeking a bachelor’s degree or higher. Recipients are required to complete 50 hours of community service. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of medical hardship, dedication to community service, leadership, commitment to educational and professional goals, and a demonstration of how the applicant has used their cancer experience to impact the lives of other young adults affected by cancer. The deadline is in May 1. Send email to scholarship@ulmanfund.org to request an application. This scholarship is one of several cancer scholarships offered by the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
Working Against Cancer’s Survivor Scholarship Program
Working Against Cancer is establishing a survivor scholarship program.