Scholarships for Cancer Survivors and Patients

• Grants for cancer patients and survivors can help with college costs.
• Scholarships for cancer patients and survivors are also available.
• Additional resources can supplement a full financial aid package to make college more affordable.

A cancer diagnosis can make attending college seem unattainable. While there are many overwhelming factors of attending college, one is the cost of college — especially for students who have to pay for cancer treatment. But scholarships for cancer survivors and patients can help the financial weight of paying for treatment and attending school.

Paying for College as a Cancer Patient or Survivor

College can feel out of reach for many cancer survivors and patients, who often must use their savings for treatment and to cover the cost of living.

Beyond traditional financial aid, such as college grants and student loans, many unique financial aid opportunities exist for cancer patients and survivors. Scholarships for cancer survivors offer funds for education-related expenses. Grants for patients and survivors can help relieve the financial pressure associated with cancer, leaving more for college expenses.

College Scholarships for Cancer Survivors and Patients

National Children's Cancer Society Beyond the Cure Scholarship

• Who Is Eligible: The NCSS scholarship is available for survivors of cancer under age 25, who were diagnosed before age 18, and who have been accepted to postsecondary school.
• Application Deadline: Applications open January 2023 for the 2023-2024 school year.
• Scholarship Amount: Varies ($3,500 for the 2018-19 school year)

Cancer for College

• Who Is Eligible: Cancer for College is a need-based scholarship to support cancer survivors and patients through college. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college or trade school and have a family income of less than $150,000 per year. Community college and graduate school students are also eligible.
• Application Deadline: November 1-January 31
• Scholarship Amount: $5,000

Northwestern Mutual Childhood Cancer Survivor Scholarship

• Who Is Eligible: The scholarship is available to pediatric cancer survivors who are 25 years old or younger and enrolled in an accredited college or trade program. Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
• Application Deadline: Applications open December 2022
• Scholarship Amount: $5,000

The Simon Cancer Foundation Harvey Simon Memorial Scholarship

• Who Is Eligible: The Harvey Simon Memorial Scholarship is available to undergraduate and graduate students who have had cancer at some point in their lifetime. Applicants must have a GPA greater than 3.5.
• Application Deadline: Applications open October 2022
• Scholarship Amount: Varies

The Brian Morden Memorial Scholarship

• Who Is Eligible: The Brian Morden Memorial scholarship is awarded to a college student pursuing a degree related to music, technology, or medicine. National applicants outside of Altoona, PA must be cancer survivors.
• Application Deadline: Applications open January 2023
• Scholarship Amount: $500-$1,000

Grants for Cancer Survivors and Patients

Expect Miracles Foundation's Samfund Grants

• Who Is Eligible: The Samfund provides funding to cancer survivors. This includes grants for car payments, educational expenses, and rent or mortgage payments. Applicants must be between the ages of 21-39 and meet certain remission criteria.
• Application Deadline: August 2022
• Grant Amount: $3,000 for education, $1,500 for car payments, $2,500 for reconstructive procedures, $3,000 for rent or mortgage payments, $1,000 for other bills, and more for other award categories

The Nicholas E. Colleluori Financial Aid Fund

• Who Is Eligible: The Headstrong Foundation reviews applications monthly for financial assistance for cancer patients. Applicants must have a household limit twice below the poverty line.
• Application Deadline: N/A
• Grant Amount: Up to $1,000

National Cancer Assistance Foundation

• Who Is Eligible: The National Cancer Assistance Foundation provides grants to families managing a cancer diagnosis. Applicants must be below certain income levels depending on family size to be eligible.
• Application Deadline: N/A
• Grant Amount: Varies

The Jadyn Fred Foundation Fund

• Who Is Eligible: The Jadyn Fred Foundation provides grant support directly to patients and families to handle expenses associated with a childhood cancer diagnosis. Applicants must be referred by a physician.
• Application Deadline: N/A
• Grant Amount: Varies

Keep A Breast Give Back Grant

• Who Is Eligible: The Keep A Breast Give Back Grant is awarded to BIPOC women who have been diagnosed with or survived breast cancer. Recipients can use funds to cover expenses for opening a small business, paying for medical care, and managing other financial responsibilities.
• Application Deadline: September 2022
• Grant Amount: $500

Additional Resources for Students Affected by Cancer

• FAFSA: The FAFSA is a federal application for financial aid. Students with financial hardship may be eligible for federally backed loans. Undergraduate students with financial need may also receive Federal Pell Grants to fund their education.
• TRIO Scholarship: The TRIO Scholarship is open to solid organ and bone marrow donors, recipients, and their immediate family members. Scholarships must be used at an accredited college or trade school.
• Hydrocephalus Foundation Scholarship: The Hydrocephalus Foundation offers scholarships for students living with hydrocephalus, which often results from brain tumors. The Foundation awards $1000 scholarships.
• National GRACE Foundation: The National GRACE Foundation offers college and financial aid counseling free of charge to pediatric cancer patients and survivors. They also offer test preparation materials and advocacy services.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute professional financial advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Readers of this website should contact a professional advisor before making decisions about financial issues.