California Young Cancer Survivor Scholarship Program

The American Cancer Society, California Division, Inc. Young Cancer Survivor Scholarship Program is a scholarship program that awards stipends of up to $7500 per academic year for educational expenses to college-bound pediatric cancer survivors in need of financial aid. The scholarships are for tuition-related expenses (fees, books, and supplies) at accredited two- or four-year undergraduate institutions of higher education in California. The Young Cancer Survivor Scholarship Program helps the Society to reach its goal of improving the quality of life of cancer patients and their families by improving the capacity of pediatric cancer survivors to attend college, and lessening the financial burden of college attendance on cancer survivors’ families.

California Young Cancer Survivor Scholarship Program Requirements

Scholarship Deadline: April 23, 2013

Award Notifications: TBA

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:

College bound or college enrolled students who are:

California residents
cancer survivors diagnosed at 18 years or younger
age 24 or younger at the time of application
able to demonstrate financial need
planning to attend or are attending a 2 or 4 year accredited undergraduate institution of higher education in California

Scholarship Duration: 1 Year.

Scholarship Award: Up to $7500 per year.

Location: Any accredited college or university located in California, United States.

Fields of study: All majors accepted.

How to Apply: Please visit the American Cancer Society’s California Young Cancer Survivor Scholarship Program web page for more information on the application process.

Application: Click here to access the American Cancer Society’s California Young Cancer Survivor Scholarship Program online application.

Special Advice/Notes:

Winners may use the scholarship for enrollment and attendance tuition, fees, books and supplies required for course instruction in accredited undergraduate institutions of higher education located in California. Stipends are determined based upon need and are paid directly to the educational institution.

What is expected of Young Cancer Survivor Scholarship recipients?

Scholarship recipients are expected to demonstrate behavior consistent with the American Cancer Society Volunteer and Staff Code of Ethics.

Scholarship recipients are required to serve a minimum of 50 volunteer hours with the American Cancer Society. Opportunities for volunteerism include:

serving as a Society spokesperson
participation in fundraising/awareness events such as Relay For Life or Daffodil Days
legislative advocacy
joining Colleges Against Cancer programs
many more!

Scholarship recipients may be asked to communicate with American Cancer Society donors.

What criteria are used in evaluating Young Cancer Survivor Scholarship applications?

Financial need
Medical hardship
Determination, motivation and educational goals
Academic requirements (minimum 2.5 GPA)
Community Service

In addition to financial need and basic academic requirements, the evaluation panel is interested in the applicant’s educational and career plans, life philosophy and volunteerism, motivation, and determination. Applicants are asked to describe these through three short essays.