Scholarship and Grant Programs for Cystic Fibrosis Patients

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This is a list of scholarship opportunities for patients with cystic fibrosis to consider. Not all of them will be useful to you. Some of them have specific eligibility requirements or are only available to people in certain geographic areas.

If you find that any of the information is out of date or if you discover other opportunities not listed here, we would appreciate it if you would contact us online so we can update our information. We would also like to hear if you are successful in obtaining any of these scholarships. Please email Fran Goldsleger, MSW, at goldsleger@email.chop.edu

If you are followed in the Cystic Fibrosis Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and need a letter of recommendation, you can email or call your Social Worker. 

Good luck with your search!

AbbVie Cystic Fibrosis Scholarship and Thriving Student Competition

Who: Students who have CF and are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate education

What: Numerous scholarships for $2,500 are awarded to CF patients. An online voting competition is then held among the recipients for the chance to be chosen as “Thriving Undergraduate Student” and receive an additional $18,500.

Amount: $2,500

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

All In For CF Scholarship Program

Who: Vertex's All in for CF Scholarship Program helps people with CF and their families (siblings, caregivers and children) in pursuing two-year, four-year or graduate degrees to offset the costs of attending college or graduate school.

What: Vertex will award numerous scholarships of $5,000 each to members of the CF community.

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: Scholarship applications are being accepted through January 3, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. PST, and recipients will be notified in May 2018.

How: Learn more about the scholarship criteria and how to apply.

Anita Giampalmi CG Scholarship at Michigan State University

Who: Students with CF attending Michigan State University

Amount: Up to $1,500

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

The Bonnell Foundation: Living with CF Scholarship Program

Who: Students with CF who have been accepted to a college and have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Amount: up to $2,500, renewable for three years

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

The Bonnie Strangio Education Fund Presented by the Boomer Foundation

Who: Persons living with cystic fibrosis, who, like Bonnie, have an “upbeat” personality, shows a tremendous passion for life in achieving their goals despite battling CF.

Who: An undergraduate or graduate student who has cystic fibrosis and whose service and commitment to the prevention and cure of cystic fibrosis is exemplary.

Amount: $500 to $1,000

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

Boomer Esiason Foundation General Academic Scholarships

Who: CF patients pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees

What: Scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000 will be awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need and academic accomplishment.

Deadline: Quarterly (April 1, July 1, September 30, December 30)

How: Apply online.

The Breathe for Bea Educational Scholarship Program

Who: Students diagnosed with CF, aged 25 and under, who are graduating high school or continuing their higher education at a two-year, four-year or trade school.

Amount: Up to a $500 as a financial award

Deadline: June 15

How: Please check the website for application and directions.

Cheryl A Fredericks Educational Scholarship

Who: Undergraduate or graduate student who has cystic fibrosis or a sibling of a person with cystic fibrosis.

Amount: Two $2,000 scholarships

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

Colette W. Bleistine Paying It Forward Scholarship

Who: Any student who, like Colette, demonstrates a commitment to community service, embraces life with a positive spirit, makes a strong commitment to raising CF awareness, maintains at least a “B” average, and plans to attend or is enrolled in a NJ or PA state college, university or community college.

Amount: $1,500

Deadline: June 1

How: Contact CHOP's CF Center social worker for an application

Return completed application to:

Colette Bleistine Paying It Forward Foundation Scholarship

537 Stonehaven Drive

Townsend, DE 19734

Cystic Fibrosis Scholarship Foundation

Who: Students who have CF and will be enrolled in an undergraduate program or vocational school.

Amount: Varies, typically $1,000 per year with the possibility for multi-year awards

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

Elizabeth Nash Foundation

Who: Students with CF who are in-going or current undergraduate or graduate students at a U.S.-based college or university. Funds are not currently available for students pursuing an associate degree.

Amount: $1,000 - $2,500

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated deadlines and application information or contact: scholarships@elizabethnashfoundation.org.

How: Submit application, one page essay, and letter of recommendation from a teacher, letter confirming CF diagnosis, academic transcript, and FAFSA information.

Exercise for Life Presented by the Boomer Foundation

Who: High school senior who has CF and demonstrates scholastic ability, athletic ability in running, character, leadership, service to the community, need for financial assistance, and daily CF therapy compliance

What: Student must log regular training times for the 1.5 mile qualifying run. Candidates will be judged on the basis of time. The Boomer Esiason Foundation will award grants to one male and one female each year

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

Gunnar Esiason Scholarship Fund at Boston College

Who: The applicants must have CF or have an immediate family member with CF. They must already be admitted or enrolled in Boston College and qualify for financial aid by demonstrating financial ned.

Amount: $10,000

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

Gunnar Esiason Own It Scholarship

Who: High school seniors or college students any level must prove a CF diagnosis.

Amount: $1,000 to $5,000

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

The Jerry Cahill You Cannot Fail Scholarship Presented by the Boomer Foundation

Who: Applicants must have CF and must already have completed at least one semester of undergraduate coursework. They must demonstrate that they go “above and beyond” in everything they do: character, leadership and service to the community, as well as adherence to treatment. Must demonstrate a need for financial assistance.

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

Jill M. Balboni Memorial Scholarship funded by live* learn* breathe*

Who: High school seniors diagnosed with CF that intend to pursue higher education

Amount: Two scholarships for $2,500

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

Mandy Wagner Foundation

Who: Individuals with CF who plan to attend trade schools, tech schools or colleges

Amount: $500-$2,000

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

Missy Woolsey Education Award

Who: Pennsylvania residents only who have cystic fibrosis and are pursuing higher education

Amount: Varies depending on funds available

Deadline: Ongoing; responses within 30 days

How: Visit their website for details.

PA House of Representatives Scholarship Program

Who: Graduating seniors and legal residents of PA with a minimum 3.0 GPA and commitment to leadership and community service. Must be attending a four-year college in PA. Only two winners selected in state of Pennsylvania.

Amount: Varies

Deadline: Please see website for updated application deadlines and instructions.

How: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply, (Under “Internships and Scholarships”).

Rimington Trophy Scholarships

Who: Students who have CF and display scholastic ability, character, leadership, community service, need for financial assistance, and daily compliance to CF therapy

Amount: $1,000 - $2,000

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

Rosemary Quigley Memorial Scholarship Presented by the Boomer Foundation

Who: Scholarships are awarded to student with cystic fibrosis who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees with a clear sense of goals, and whose commitment to living life to the fullest, despite having CF are exemplary.

Amount: $500 - $2,000

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

Sacks for CF – Scholarship Program Presented by the Boomer Foundation

Who: CF patients pursuing an undergraduate or a graduate degree, striving for therapy adherence

What: Whenever a quarterback gets sacked during the NFL season, $1,000 will be allocated to the Boomer Esiason Fund (BEF) Scholarship Grant Program.

Amount: $3,000 - $10,000

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

Scholarship of the Arts Presented by the Boomer Foundation

Who: Students who have CF and create art in the form of video, painting, sketching

What: Scholarship promoting communication through creativity. Successful applicant requires one or more examples of their artwork.

Amount: $500 - $1,000

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

Susanna Delaurentis Memorial Scholarships

Who: College-bound high-school students with a chronic disease, such as CF

Amount: $1,000 paid directly to the institution of higher learning

Deadline: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

US Adult CF Association - Lauren Melissa Kelly Academic Scholarship

Who: Applicant must be a U.S. citizen and over 18 and have cystic fibrosis, pursuing a certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree or graduate degree.

Amount: $2,500

How: Please visit their website for updated application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

Additional resources

Scholarship Guide for African American Students

Who: African American Students

What: Varying amounts

Amount: Varies

Deadline: TBD

How: This guide provides African American students online resources such as How to Apply for a Scholarship, 5 Ways to Make Your Scholarship Application Stand Out, Top Ten Scholarship Tips, and 5 Tips for Winning Scholarships.

FAFSA

Remember to complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as possible. Your FAFSA will help you qualify for scholarships, grants and student loans.

HEATH Resource Center

The George Washington University HEATH Resource Center offers a publication titled: “Creating Options: Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities.” This resource provides contact information and background about financial assistance opportunities. To obtain a copy, please contact:

The George Washington University HEATH Resource Center

Washington DC 20037

Email: askheath@gwu.edu

Federal Student Aid Information Center

Federal Student Aid Information Center at the U.S. Department of Education provides a publication entitled: “The Student Guide” which lists many financial assistance programs.

Phone: 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243)

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