College Grants for Cancer Survivors

College grants for cancer survivors are very important because they encourage students who have survived from cancer to continue their education. Cancer is one of the most fearsome diseases, and it often leads to major shock and devastating effect for both the student and their family.

There are three major aspects of the diagnosis. First, the cancer diagnosis put a heavy load to the mental condition of the student. Second, the cancer treatment requires a lot of effort from the student’s body. Last but not least, the cancer treatment is long and costly, which often leads to a financial catastrophe.

college-grants-for-cancer-survivors

It is no longer a secret that college education in the United States is expensive. Therefore, many cancer-diagnosed students decide to drop out of the college and give up their college degree pursuit to avoid further financial burden to the family.

That said, continuing college education have some degree of psychological benefit to the student diagnosed with cancer. It can affect the speed of the recovery. Therefore, there are many college grants for cancer survivors available in the United States. Below are some of them:

College Grants for Cancer Survivors

The first and foremost college grant that these students should pursue would be the Federal Pell Grant. This need-based grant is very friendly towards students who are diagnosed with some serious health problem, including cancer. This is a need-based grant program, and the amount of money each awardee receives may differ depending on the financial need of each person. The Pell grant is often considered as the opening gate for other grants. Typically, those who have received Pell grant have a big chance in getting other grants. There’s also the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), which is an additional grant from the government provided for those who are qualified for the Pell grant but still need additional financial assistance.

Aside of the government grants, there are many other private-funded grants available for cancer patients and survivors. We highly recommend you to find organizations and foundations that are related to the specific type of cancer you’re having. If a student is diagnosed or have just survived breast cancer, it would be best to prioritize the application’s submission to organizations that support breast cancer patients and families. Below are some possible sources of grants:

Cancer for College – http://www.cancerforcollege.org/

Founded more than 20 years ago, the organization offers several grants and scholarships available for cancer patients and survivors. The award amount differs for each of the students, and since its main office is at California, they prioritize the awardees from that area. The 2015 Cancer for College scholarship application period is now closed, next application cycle will begin October 1, 2015.

The Cancer Survivors Fund – http://www.cancersurvivorsfund.org/

This foundation provides four annual scholarships for cancer survivors and patients. Additional requirements include enrollment in an accredited college, submit a complete medical history and an essay about your experience in dealing with cancer.

PAF Scholarship for Survivors

Administered by the Patient Advocate Foundation, the program can help students who have suffered from a life-threatening disease, including cancer. Because this is a scholarship, the foundation selects the winners based on the grades. You are also required to submit two letter of recommendation, full medical history, and agreed to complete 20 hours of community service each year.

There are still many other chances of college grants for cancer survivors. Don’t give up and keep up the hope!

image: fenabb.org.br

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