Cancer for College Scholarship

Website: Cancer for College

Description

Cancer for College was founded in 1993 by two-time cancer survivor and double amputee Craig Pollard. Since inception, the charity has awarded over 1,600 need-based scholarships totaling more than $6 million in awards to high-achieving cancer survivors.

Applicants are not discriminated against based on sex, race or religious belief. Community college applicants are eligible but award may not be greater than the amount needed. All remaining applicants will be eligible for other one-time awards. Awards are typically $5,000 each. Scholarship recipients must maintain full-time enrollment at his/her stated university. Failure to maintain full-time enrollment or transfer from a 4-year university to a community college may result in loss of scholarship funds. Graduate students receiving scholarships do not need to maintain full-time student status. Scholarship recipients experiencing health-related issues that force them to leave school may request a one-time extension of their scholarship, not to exceed one school year. Recipients exceeding this time will forgo their scholarship, but may reapply when ready to return to school.

 

Eligibility
  • You must personally have been diagnosed with cancer.
  • You are either attending or planning to attend an accredited college or university, located in the US.
  • You are enrolled/planning to enroll in a degree-earning program, or certificate-earning program from an accredited university, trade school or similar program.
  • You will attend school as a full time student as an undergraduate student or at least part time as a graduate student.
  • Adjusted gross income for the applicant (or their parent/guardian, if they are dependent) for the most recent tax year must be no more than $150,000.

At this time, the organization can only provide scholarships to residents of the United States attending school in the US and Puerto Rico.

Student Type
  • freshman
  • sophomore
  • junior
  • senior
Citizen Type
  • US Citizen
  • Permanent Resident
  • Undocumented
Procedure
To apply for this scholarship, you’ll need to prepare the following documents:
1. The first two pages of the *appropriate 2021 tax return
You need either:
-Your parents’ 2021 tax return (jointly or individually based on filing status) if you are claimed as a dependent, or
-Your personal 2021 tax return if you are Independent
*If you or your parents did not file a tax return, you must upload proof of any income such as SSI, W-2, Snap Benefits, or other written documentation.
2. Last two years of academic transcripts
High school, college, or a combination depending on your year in school. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. 
3. Confirmation of diagnosis letter
Must be completed on medical letterhead by your oncologist, primary care physician, or nurse. 
4. Optional recommendation letter from someone OUTSIDE of your family
This can be requested via email through the application, or personally uploaded if you already have a copy.
Other requirements:
 
This application also requires a written personal statement (maximum of 1000 words) and video essay upload (prompts to follow).
Some specialty scholarships require additional essays and/or uploads. 
History

Since inception in 1993, Cancer for College has awarded more than $6 million and 1,600 scholarships to cancer survivors all across the United States. Each year we award many general, nationwide scholarships as well as several specialty scholarships.

Contact Information

If you need further assistance with your application or have questions, please call the Cancer for College office at 760-599-5096 or email applications@cancerforcollege.org