Scholarships - Education

Everyone in the U.S. (check the website for availability in your area)

2-1-1 is the telephone number of a call center that offers information and provides referrals to health and human services for everyday needs and in times of crisis. Examples of service referrals include:

• Basic human need resources: food banks, clothing, shelters, rent assistance and utility assistance
• Physical and mental health resources: medical information lines, crisis intervention services, counseling, drug, and alcohol intervention
• Employment support: unemployment benefits, financial assistance, job training, transportation assistance and education programs
• Support for older adults and persons with disabilities: home healthcare, adult daycare, congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, respite care, transportation, and homemaker services
• Support for children, youth, and families: childcare, family resource centers, summer camps and recreation programs, mentoring, tutoring and protective services
   

Open to entering freshman students who have been accepted into a university or college, and who have been impacted by cancer

To offer scholarships to college students to honor the legacy of mesothelioma cancer patients

• Students will be required to submit a written essay or video about how cancer has impacted their lives; see website for additional eligibility details.

Current undergraduate and graduate students or high school seniors accepted into a college

To offer a scholarship designed to relieve some of the financial burden of those seeking higher education so they can reach their educational and career goals.  

• Provides a general scholarship that is not restricted to only those affected by cancer.

Pediatric and young adult cancer survivors, along with other cancer survivors enrolled in higher education in the United States.

To provide hope and inspiration to cancer survivors through academic scholarships, medical debt relief, and educational experiences.

• Offers Medical Debt Relief Program to cancer survivors 25 years of age or younger- includes financial navigation along with direct medical debt relief. 
• Offers educational scholarships to cancer survivors enrolled in an accredited university or college (includes community college and graduate school). Scholarship application period opens November 1 and closes January 31 each year.  See website for details.
• Mentorship program seeks to partner members of the community with cancer survivors who have an interest in pursuing a career within the donor’s field of expertise.

Adolescent and young adult cancer patients and survivors

To guide young adults with cancer to social support programs and services that can help them manage their mental healing as well as their physical battle.

• Survivorship program in Northern Michigan consists of 6 days of adventure-based learning at no cost
• Travel Assistance for young adults to attend an approved survivorship program in the US
• Annual Base2Summit Scholarship for a Michigan resident who is accepted to an accredited school of higher learning; see website for details
• Lists a variety of survivorship resources related to support, finances, legal, etc.

Children with cancer and their families in Canada

To create victories for Canadian children with cancer through investment in national, collaborative, lifesaving research, empowering education and community programs.

• Provides information and support for families of newly diagnosed children plus special events.
• Offers an emergency fund to children and young adult patients and families experiencing financial hardship. 
• Provides scholarships for childhood cancer survivors.
• Offers a benevolent fund to assist with funeral expenses.
   

Any prospective high school or college student looking for scholarship information in the U.S. There is additional information on scholarships for cancer survivors

Fastweb is an online resource for financial information when it comes to paying for and preparing for school. In addition, the website offers information on financial aid, jobs and internships, student life and more.

• Register for Fastweb and complete an online profile. The data collected is used to match you to scholarships.
• Fastweb is committed to providing a quality scholarship matching service while at the same time protecting the user’s information. The service remains free for students because Fastweb allows colleges and marketing partners to reach students. However, during the registration process, you can indicate whether or not you would like to be reached by these third parties.

Students in the U.S. who need help paying for college or career school

The office of Federal Student Aid provides grants, loans, and work-study funds for college or career school.

• Patients receiving cancer treatment, and for six months following the conclusion of treatment, may be eligible for a deferment of their federal student loan payments.  Call or check website for details and forms.

Students affected by leukemia or lymphoma and interested in pursuing a law degree in the US

To assist a current or future law student who has been affected by leukemia or lymphoma by helping to defray the cost of law school expenses. 

• Offers an annual scholarship of $1,000 for law school tuition and/or books
• Applicant must submit an essay and complete online application
• Check website for additional eligibility criteria and rules.

Blood cancer patients or survivors diagnosed at age 25 or younger

To provide up to $7,500 to cover tuition for virtual or in-person vocational, two-year, or four-year post-secondary education.

• Applicants must be a US citizen or permanent resident of the US or a US territory
• See website for application details and requirements.

Young adults ages 18 to 35 who are cancer survivors or lost a parent/guardian to cancer.

To assist young adults and their families who are dealing with cancer and wish to pursue higher education.

• Offers $1,000 scholarships for young adult cancer patients or survivors furthering their education
• Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria
• Program begins in March of each year.

Survivors of childhood cancer, age 25 and under, and their siblings

To provide scholarship assistance to cancer survivors who plan to continue their education in college or a vocational school program.

• Offers annual renewable $5000 scholarships for survivors of childhood cancer and their siblings.  Program opens in December until the end of January each year and is administered by Scholarship America.

People in the U.S. with chronic, life-threatening and debilitating illnesses

To provide professional case management services to Americans with chronic, life threatening and debilitating illnesses.

• PAF Case Managers serve as active liaisons between the patient and their insurer, employer and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis matters as they relate to their diagnosis; may also be assisted by doctors and healthcare attorneys. PAF seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of their financial stability.
• Offers PAF authored publications and content, distributes booklets and publications
• Offers an annual scholarship program for survivors
• PAF Co-Pay Relief Program provides direct financial assistance to insured patients who meet certain qualifications to help them pay for the prescriptions and/or treatments they need. This assistance helps patients afford the out-of-pocket costs for these items that their insurance companies require. For details, call 866-512-3861.

Seriously ill or injured children and their families in the U.S. and some international locations; non-profit organizations; students

To create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well being of children.

• 290 local chapters in 57 countries and regions
• Ronald McDonald Houses provide a home-away-from home for families so they can stay close to their hospitalized child at little or no cost
• Ronald McDonald Family Rooms offer a place to rest and regroup right at the hospital
• Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles deliver pediatric health care services
• Provides grants to non-profit organizations that also focus on the needs of children
• Offers scholarships to students across the U.S.

Childhood cancer patients and survivors, and their families; healthcare professionals

To raise childhood cancer awareness, to offer programs that enhance the quality of life of children with cancer, and to fund childhood cancer research.

• Childhood cancer survivors or their siblings may inquire about possible scholarships for a college education.  Call or check website for details.
• Child-life specialists and social workers may refer children with cancer and their families for a variety of local programs and activities in the South Florida area
• Helps to fund pediatric cancer research.

High-achieving college students in the U.S. who have battled leukemia or been affected by it.

To help provide a chance for students affected by leukemia to secure a better future

• Must be enrolled in an accredited college or university in the U.S.
• Essay and transcript required
• Selection committee determines winner of $1,000 scholarship
• Check website for more details and to apply.

Cancer and transplant patients and families, caregivers, survivors

To improve the quality of life for cancer and transplant patients and their families by providing vital financial assistance, comprehensive resources, educational information, physician referrals, and emotional support programs.

• CancerBuddy provides a user-friendly digital experience to help people affected by cancer across the US find buddies, share experiences and resources, provide support, and build a supportive community of peers
• Clinical Care Counseling provides confidential individual and family supportive counseling, financial guidance and resource referrals for cancer, transplant patients, and family members
• Patient Navigators provide guidance and support to anyone faced with a cancer diagnosis or needing a bone marrow transplant
• Ask the Expert enables individuals to anonymously pose questions concerning transplantation and to have them answered by transplant specialists
• Lifeline Fund provides financial support to help cover the costs of donor searches, medications, home and child care services, medical equipment, transportation, cord blood banking, housing costs and other expenses associated with transplant
• Carelines provides social media tools for crowdfunding, journaling and a volunteer task calendar for anyone with a cancer diagnosis or receiving a bone marrow, stem cell or cord blood transplant 
• Your Transplant Journey Handbook provides comprehensive transplant information and resources
   

Childhood cancer patients or survivors and their siblings in the US

To support and recognize the personal triumphs of exemplary students who have survived the cancer journey.

• Offers academic scholarships to children nationwide with cancer (or survivors of childhood cancer) and their siblings. Check website for eligibility criteria.

Students who have dealt with cancer personally, or within their families or close friends

To provide financial assistance to college students, who have been impacted by cancer, in their pursuit of higher education.

• Offers a scholarship program available to students who have battled cancer at any point in their lives (not limited to mesothelioma) or have a parent, sibling, immediate family member or close friend that has battled or is currently fighting cancer.
• Check website for eligibility criteria and to apply.

Children with cancer and their families, caregivers, survivors, health professionals

To improve the quality of life for children with cancer and their families worldwide.

• Provides financial and emotional support to families throughout the United States during their child’s cancer treatment. Financial assistance includes transportation fund and emergency assistance fund (See website for specific financial eligibility criteria.)
• The "Beyond the Cure" Survivorship Program (BTC) provides the most up-to-date information on survivorship to help survivors and their families adapt and celebrate life after diagnosis
• Online community provides a private network for parents, caregivers and survivors of childhood cancer to connect, share and offer support to one another
• Beyond the Cure Ambassador Scholarship Program awards college scholarships to childhood cancer survivors who have demonstrated the ability to overcome the difficult challenges of cancer with determination and motivation; call or see website for details
• Provides resources to healthcare professionals involved in the treatment of childhood cancer and the many challenges associated with survivorship
• Global Outreach Program partners with pharmaceutical companies to distribute donated cancer treatment drugs and medical supplies around the world.
   

Adolescent and young adult cancer patients and survivors

The Ruth Cheatham Foundation (TRCF) champions adolescents in their fight against cancer, while inspiring hope and providing resources for survivors to excel throughout their lifetime.  TRCF supports survivors to ensure access to higher education and completion of a degree. 

• Scholarship for cancer survivors
• Education & support services for scholarship recipients
• Advocacy & outreach

Cancer survivors in the United States pursuing higher education

To financially assist cancer patients by awarding scholarships and making charitable donations to camps and educational programs

• Annual scholarship for cancer survivors pursuing undergraduate or graduate school in the U.S.