Scholarships for Cancer Patients and Survivors

Below is a list of scholarship opportunities for you to consider. Not all of them will be useful to you. Some of them are disease specific, only available to people in certain geographic areas, or have financial need requirements. Others are not cancer specific, but may still be worth exploring.

Scholarship information is subject to change. Please review the website for each foundation for the most current information.

If you require of a letter of verification of diagnosis or of recommendation, please email Toni Leavitt, AYA Oncology Program Coordinator at ayaprogram@cookchildrens.org.

If you find that any of the information is out of date or if you discover other opportunities not listed here, we would appreciate it if you would let us know so that we can update our information – please email ayaprogram@cookchildrens.org. We would also love to hear if you are successful in obtaining any of these scholarships.

Good luck with your search!

Aaron Bonner Foundation

https://aaronbonnerfoundation.com/scholarships.html

Diagnosis: Cancer patient or survivor
Additional requirements: Must be a US resident enrolled in an accredited university or community college
Amount: One-time and recurring scholarships to current and former cancer patients.
Deadline: Click contact link on website for more information about the application.

The Angela Stanford Foundation

https://angelastanfordfoundation.org/scholarships/

Age: Current high school student or college undergraduates
Diagnosis: All cancers
Additional requirements: Must be a Texas resident and attending a college or university in the state of Texas. Minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
Deadline: 2023 date to be announced

Baron & Budd Scholarship Program

https://baronandbudd.com/mesothelioma/scholarships/

Age: Must be accepted to a US-based four-year university or college for any field of study
Diagnosis: Cancer survivors and family members of survivors
Deadline: November 8, 2022 and winners announced on December 15, 2022

Bone Marrow and Cancer Foundation Scholarship Grant

https://bonemarrow.org/support-and-financial-aid/financial-assistance/scholarship-grants

Diagnosis: Must have undergone transplant
Additional requirements: Helps cover tuition fees, academic supplies, or educational homebound equipment. Student must be enrolled or preparing to enroll in primary or secondary public education, two- or four-year college or university, specific trade school or homebound education. Must demonstrate need for financial assistance (annual household income should be less than $55,000). Cannot be applied towards an existing loan.
Deadline: Rolling; grants are awarded for a period of one year and may be renewed

Brain Injury Survivors Grant Program Educational Award

https://www.biadc.org/pdf/grant-program-educational-award-2013.pdf

Age: High school senior who is planning to continue his/ her education beyond high school. This may include 2-year college, 4-year college, or other professional/ trade school. The funds may be used toward tuition, books, or other necessary supplies (e.g. computer).
Diagnosis: Acquired brain injury
Amount: $500
Deadline: Applications will be accepted from March 1st to May 31st of the year in which you graduate from high school; decisions will be made in June

Beyond the Cure (National Children's Cancer Society)

https://www.thenccs.org/scholarship/

Age: Currently under the age of 25, diagnosed before the age of 18
Diagnosis: Survivor of childhood cancer or a high grade or anaplastic brain tumor
Additional requirements: Accepted into a post-secondary school for the fall semester of the upcoming academic year.
Amount: 58 $3500 scholarships will be awarded each academic year
Deadline: The application for the 2023-2024 scholarship will be available in January 2023

Cameron Siemers Foundation for Hope "Life Grants"

http://www.cameronsiemers.org/life-grants/

Age: 18-30
Diagnosis: Any life-threatening illness, including cancer; the "life grants" are intended to be used to fulfill a dream or pay for a project that will make a difference in the recipient's life and the lives of others. This award is focused on community service.
Amount: Up to $5,000
Deadline: Rolling Application

Cancer for College

http://www.cancerforcollege.org

Age: No age requirement
Diagnosis: Cancer patients and cancer survivors
Additional requirements: Scholarships are available for attendance at a four-year or two-year undergraduate institution or graduate school.
Amount: $500 - $4,000
Deadline: Accepting applications from November 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023

The Hoffen Foundation Dillon Wolford Scholarship

http://www.hoffenfoundation.org/Scholarships/

Age: Open to high school seniors and college students
Diagnosis: Current or history of a life threatening illness or injury
Amount: $300 - $1,000 (5 scholarships awarded)
Deadline: April 30th, 2023, awarded by June 1

The Izzy Foundation *

http://www.theizzyfoundation.org/scholarships/

Age: Two categories – K-12 & College
Diagnosis: Pediatric cancer diagnosed before the age of 18, childhood cancer survivor under the age of 25, and siblings under the age of 25 (bereaved siblings can apply)
Amount: $1,000 per student for up to three years
Deadline: Opens March 1st, closes May 1st annually

Kids-4-Kids with Cancer Scholarship

https://www.kids4kidswithcancer.org/scholarships-1

Diagnosis: Diagnosed with cancer before the 18th birthday
Additional requirements: Must be enrolled, accepted for enrollment, or have applied for enrolled in an educational institution and course of study leading to a recognized degree.
Amount: $500 - $2500
Deadline: Spring review opens December 1st, 2022; Closes February 1st, 2023 (Fall review: Opens August 1st and closes October 1st)

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Scholarship for Blood Cancer Survivors

https://lls.org/lls-scholarship-blood-cancer-survivors

Diagnosis: Blood cancer patient or survivors diagnosed at age 25 or younger
Additional requirements: Be attending or planning to attend virtual or in-person vocational, two-year, or four-year post-secondary education in the United States full- or part-time.
Amount: Up to $7500
Deadline: Applications open August 1, 2022; Closes October 28, 2022; Notified by March 31, 2023.

Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Scholarship *

http://www.mesothelioma.com/scholarship/

Diagnosis: All cancers, not limited to mesothelioma, or those who have a parent, sibling, or immediate family member that has been diagnosed with cancer
Additional requirements: Must be enrolled full-time in an accredited two-year or four-year university, community college, junior college, or graduate degree program.
Amount: one $4,000 scholarship award
Deadline: March 31, 2023 for the 2023 academic year

Michael's Way Scholarship

https://michaelsway.org/scholarships.html

Diagnosis: Pediatric cancer diagnosis
Age: Diagnosed before 18
Additional requirements: Plan to be enrolled in college or an accredited trade school located within the United States in the 2023-2024 school year.
Amount: 5 $5,000 scholarships available
Deadline: Applications open December 1, 2022 and close April 30, 2023

The Michael A. Hunter Memorial Scholarship

https://oc-cf.academicworks.com/opportunities/2075

Diagnosis: Patients with Leukemia or Lymphoma or children of non-surviving Leukemia or Lymphoma patients
Additional requirements: Graduating high school senior, community college, or four-year university students. Must have a financial need.
Amount: $2,000 - $5,000
Deadline: Applications open on January 17, 2023 and close on March 17, 2023 for the 2023 academic year

National Collegiate Cancer Foundation *

http://collegiatecancer.org/scholarships/

Age: 18-35 (can be 17 if entering college in the fall following application).
Diagnosis: Cancer survivors or currently receiving treatment; also those who have lost a parent or guardian to cancer
Additional requirements: Attend or plan to attend an accredited college, university or vocational institution in pursuit of an associate, bachelor, master's, doctorate or certificate.
Amount: $1,000 scholarship award; multiple awards per year
Deadline: Applications open March 2023 and close on July 15, 2023

Northwestern Mutual Childhood Cancer Survivor & Sibling Scholarship Program *

https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/nmsurvivors/

Age: 25 and younger
Diagnosis: Any cancer diagnosis treated at any age or siblings of individuals who are in current treatment, have survived or passed away from pediatric childhood cancer
Additional requirements: Applicants must be high school seniors, high school graduates or current postsecondary undergraduates who plan 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. Have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent) and demonstrate financial need.
Amount: $5,000 (25 awarded)
Deadline: Application opens December 2022; Deadline January 29, 2023

Orange Out M/C Forever Friends Scholarship *

http://www.orangeout.org/mc-forever-friends-scholarship.html

Age: High school senior
Diagnosis: All cancers, or siblings of cancer patient
Additional requirements: Applicant, or sibling of applicant must have been treated at a children's hospital in the DFW Metroplex.
Amount: Not disclosed
Deadline: April 24, 2023

Patient Advocate Foundation

http://www.patientadvocate.org/help.php?p=69

Age: Under 25
Diagnosis: Must have been diagnosed with or treated for cancer and/or a chronic/ life-threatening disease within the past five years
Additional requirements: Once awarded, recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA, be a full-time student, and complete 20 hours of community service per year that the scholarship is awarded.
Amount: $3,000 award renewable up to 4 years
Deadline: Academic year 2022-2023; opens October 14, 2022

The Simon Cancer Foundation

https://thescf.org/Scholarships.html

Diagnosis: Current or past history of cancer during their lifetime.
Additional requirements: Must be enrolled in a 4-year university or college. Applicant must have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
Amount: Not disclosed.
Deadline: 2023-2024; Application is now open.

Stephen's Soldiers

https://stephenssoldiers.com/scholarships/

Diagnosis: Must be a cancer survivor or currently diagnosed with cancer and does not have to be receiving treatment currently to qualify.
Additional requirements: Must have 15 volunteer hours with a cancer-related organization
Amount: 3 $2500 scholarships awarded per year.
Deadline: Must be postmarked by March 31.

Sofia's Hope College Scholarship

https://scholarships.sofiashope.org

Diagnosis: Childhood cancer survivor or someone currently being treated for a childhood cancer
Additional requirements: Must be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in an accredited undergraduate or graduate school.
Amount: $2,000 plus a laptop or tablet
Deadline: Opens January 1; closes March 15; notified by April 15, 2023

Sophie Malaviya Memorial Scholarship

https://silkentwinecharity.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2022_Scholarship_Application.pdf

Diagnosis: Cancer survivor or currently diagnosed with cancer.
Additional requirements: Must be a female graduating high school senior with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Enrolled in a two or four-year undergraduate program or professional/ trade school as a freshman.
Amount: Two $1,000 awards.
Deadline: Closes March 1, 2023; Will be notified by May 31, 2023.

Strong Arm of Georgia Scholarship

https://www.johnfoy.com/about/scholarship/strong-arm-leukemia-scholarship/

Diagnosis: You or a loved one has been affected by leukemia.
Additional requirements: Must be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in an accredited undergraduate or graduate school in the United States
Amount: Not disclosed.
Deadline: Closed at this time.

The Ruth Cheatham Foundation Scholarship

https://www.ruthcheathamfoundation.org/scholarship-info/

Age: 17-26
Diagnosis: All cancers, either in treatment or off treatment
Additional requirements: Must be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in an accredited undergraduate, trade school, or graduate school.
Amount: Not disclosed
Deadline: Opens January 2023 and closes May 1, 2023

Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO) *

http://www.trioweb.org/resources/trio-scholarships.html

Age: Diagnosed at or before age of 19
Diagnosis: Solid organ or bone marrow candidate, recipient, donor, or an immediate family member (defined as a parent, child, spouse of sibling)
Additional requirements: Must be a TRIO member (to join, visit their website). Must have financial need. Must use scholarship award for continuing education at an accredited college, university or trade/ technical school certificate program. Must maintain a 2.5 GPA in school.
Amount: Several $1,000 one-year non-renewable award
Deadline: Opens January 2023 and closes June 30, 2023

Toby Merrill Scholarship

https://www.tobymerrillscholarship.org/apply

Diagnosis: Special consideration will be made for candidates who are experiencing personal or family issues related to cancer or bereavement.
Additional requirements: Scholarship recipients will excel in the areas of academics, athletics, leadership and will demonstrate high character traits such as kindness and strength during times of adversity.
Amount: Not disclosed.
Deadline: Not provided but application open as of October 7, 2022

* = siblings or other family members eligible

Cancer Care Services — A local organization here to help so that no one has to cope with cancer alone. Their team can help you find resources and navigate the college application process.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia — This is a list of scholarships that you can apply for with various eligibility criteria.
College Board — Helpful articles on financing your college education.
FastAid — Search hints, tips from students who have been through the process, and other reading materials.
FastWeb — A free internet search engine for state financial aid resources. It also offers other resources such as reading materials about applying for different types of scholarships, grants, and government funding
Federal Student Aid Information Center — This website allows you to learn about and apply for all forms of federal aid, and manage federal loans.
Jude's Together Teens & 20's — This is another list of scholarships that you can apply for with various eligibility criteria.
Scholarships.com — A free internet search tool for college scholarships.
Mometrix – A free list of 175 scholarships
The Scholarship Workshop — List of scholarships available for high school students planning to attend college.
FinAid – scholarships, loans
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Secondary Education — Highlights available government resources and the application process.

We are here to help.

If your child has been diagnosed, you probably have lots of questions. We can help. If you would like to schedule an appointment, refer a patient or speak to our staff, please call our offices at 682-885-6152.