Resources for More Information: Financial Aid for Students Impacted by Cancer
A cancer diagnosis and treatment can overwhelm a family with medical bills and increased insurance costs for years to come. At the same time, families may have a loss of income while a parent leaves work for treatment or to care for a child with cancer. For childhood cancer survivors or children of a parent with cancer, college may be viewed as a luxury the family cannot afford. Fortunately for these individuals, there are quite a few organizations offering college scholarships for cancer survivors, siblings, and students with a parent battling cancer or those who have lost a parent to cancer.
If you are a student who has had a cancer diagnosis, have a parent with a diagnosis, or have lost a parent to cancer, these sites will help you find some resources to pursue your goal of a college education.
There may also be smaller, local scholarship funds available. Be sure to talk with the social worker at the treatment center for local resources.
FinAid
A comprehensive source of student financial aid information. The site's creator, Mark Kantrowitz, is a testicular cancer survivor and has created a complete listing of scholarship aid available for students affected by cancer.
Cancer for College
Provides college scholarship and professional mentoring to low-income, high-achieving cancer survivors.
National Collegiate Cancer Foundation
Provides need-based financial support to survivors pursuing higher education throughout their treatment and for survivors up to age 35.
http://collegiatecancer.org/scholarships/
Children's Cause for Cancer Advocacy (CCCA)
Provides scholarships for childhood cancer survivors who are also dedicated to furthering advocacy efforts for childhood cancer survivors.
https://www.childrenscause.org/scholars/
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Maintains a list of scholarship opportunities for cancer survivors.
Patient Advocate Foundation Academic Scholarships for Survivors
Provides financial support to cancer patients and individuals with a chronic or life-changing illness who were diagnosed in the last five years and are under the age of 25.
http://www.patientadvocate.org/events.php?p=69
Toby Merrill Scholarship Fund
Provides financial assistance for children seeking to attend college with the goal of empowering those deserving children to reach their full potential and experience the joys of life.
http://tobymerrillscholarship.org
The Sam Fund
Offers financial resources and counseling including linking young adult cancer survivors to tuition assistance programs.
http://www.thesamfund.org/get-help/resources/undergraduate-tuition-assistance/
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Scholarship for Blood Cancer Survivors
The LLS scholarship provides up to $7,500 to cover tuition for virtual or in-person vocational, trade, two-year, or four-year undergraduate education for one year.