College Scholarships Dealing with Leukemia
Are You or Someone You Know Affected by This Cancer?
Leukemia is a cancer of the tissues in the body responsible for producing blood. More than 75% of children diagnosed with leukemia will live five years or more; many of them will go into complete remission.
Lymphomas occur when a type of white blood cell (lymphocyte) becomes malignant and starts to increase in numbers. Eventually, the malignant cells crowd out the healthy ones. This leads to tumours developing in the lymph nodes. Lymphomas can start in the stomach or intestines and then spread to other parts of the body.
If you or a loved one has been touched by leukemia or lymphoma, you already know about the physical, emotional, and financial challenges it brings. Check out the scholarship assistance set out below to make paying for post-secondary education a little less challenging:
The Michael A. Hunter Memorial Scholarship Award
This scholarship fund was set up to provide financial assistance for leukemia patients and the children of leukemia patients who have lost their battle with the disease.
Two scholarships averaging $5,000.00 will be awarded. High school seniors, community college, and university students with a GPA of at least 3.0 are eligible to apply.
In addition to an essay of 600 words or less describing how leukemia has affected them personally, a physician's letter confirming the leukemia diagnosis is required.
The Stephen T. Marchello Scholarship Fund
This non-profit organization provides scholarships to childhood cancer survivors. High school seniors living in Montana, Arizona, Colorado, or California are eligible to apply.
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults National College Scholarship Program
The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults provides five scholarships to students. The UCF Board of Directors chooses recipients from a pool of applicants and awards one-time scholarships of $2,500 to applicants that best exemplify the goals of the award and meet the particular award criteria:
- Matt Stauffer Memorial Scholarship Award is designed to financially assist degree-seeking applicants born after 12/31/72 with a demonstrated financial hardship. Eligible applicants must also have a history of cancer diagnosis between their 15 th and 35 th year.
- Marilyn Yetso Memorial Scholarship Award is awarded to eligible applicants whose parent(s) is a cancer survivor or is currently living with cancer. Eligible students must demonstrate financial need, be under the age of 35 and pursuing a two or four-year degree. Extracurricular community involvement and demonstrated leadership abilities are beneficial.
- Nursing students with a parent who is either a cancer survivor or is living with cancer may be eligible for the Barbara Palo Foster Memorial Scholarship Award. Applicants enrolled in either an undergraduate or graduate nursing program may apply, provided they are under 35 and can prove financial need.
- Vera Yip Memorial Scholarship Award is open to students who are themselves living with cancer or survivors of, or whose parents are living with the disease. Applicants must be pursuing at least a four-year undergraduate degree, demonstrate financial need for the award, be under 35 and been diagnosed with cancer sometime between the age of 15 and 35. Eligible applicants must be engaged with their community and demonstrate enviable leadership skills.
- The Maryland Community Cancer Scholarship Fund welcomes the applications of Maryland student residents who are living with cancer themselves or whose parents live with cancer. Students must have been diagnosed between the age of 15 and 35 to qualify and must be under 35 by the date on their application. Applicants are also judged on the quality of extracurricular involvement and leadership skills.
The National Collegiate Cancer Foundation
One-time, non-renewable awards in the amount of $1,000.00 each are available to students who are living with cancer and are still undergoing treatment. Previous winners are able to re-apply for funding for subsequent years.
Successful applicants will demonstrate a "Will to Win" attitude through the submission of an essay and letters of recommendation. An applicant's demonstrated need for financial assistance is also taken into consideration.
