Scholarships Available for Students Affected by Breast Cancer

For “would-be” college-bound students who have lost a parent or guardian to breast cancer, or have themselves been diagnosed with breast cancer, the dream of a college education may feel as unreachable as the stars.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest breast cancer organization, provides scholarships to students whose lives have been affected by breast cancer—scholarships that can ease the significant financial burden of attending college.

The scholarship awards $10,000 per year for up to four years, for a student to attend a state university in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. Komen scholarship recipients are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, financial need and demonstrated leadership potential, and applicants must be no older than 25 years as of May 2012. Scholarship recipients serve as “Komen Collegiate Ambassadors” and must volunteer their time to breast cancer awareness activities for at least 20 hours per semester.

“Losing a parent to breast cancer is devastating in so many ways,” says Lisa Gallipoli, executive director of the North Jersey affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. “Nothing can fill the void, but one thing we can do is assist students in beginning or continuing a college career. This scholarship program is a way to help students overcome obstacles related to breast cancer and realize their dreams of getting a college degree.”

Cristina Nemeth of Elmwood Park, NJ, lost her mother to breast cancer when she was five years old. Six years ago, she was awarded a Komen Scholarship—the first student in Komen North Jersey’s service region to receive one. The scholarship enabled Cristina to return to Ramapo College to finish her degree in Biology.

“Susan G. Komen gave me the opportunity to receive the education I needed,” said Cristina. “When I was sitting in the room for my final scholarship interview, I promised that I would make a difference against breast cancer. At the time, I just didn’t know how I would do it. Then I finally figured out how. I would hold a benefit in my mother's honor, because I want a world where no child loses a parent to breast cancer. The money we raise would go to the Susan G. Komen North Jersey Affiliate to help achieve their goal of a world without breast cancer.”

And so, on May 12, at Portobello Banquets in Oakland, NJ, Cristina hosted A Pink Remembrance: A Tribute to Theresa Urspruch Nemeth, in memory of her mother who lost her battle with breast cancer in 1991 at the age of 34. Over 200 people attended the event, and all the net proceeds — $10,828 — were donated to the North Jersey Affiliate. A true testimonial to how the act of giving back, goes back and forth. Bravo Cristina.

How to Apply

Susan G. Komen began accepting scholarship applications on Sept. 15. Visit www.komen.org/scholarship for more information on requirements, and to apply. Applications must be received by Nov. 15, 2011.  

Eligibility

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for this scholarship:

• Must have lost a parent/guardian to breast cancer
• OR Must be a breast cancer survivor diagnosed at 25 years or younger
• Must be a high school senior, college freshman, sophomore or junior
• Must plan to attend a state-supported college or university in the state where they permanently reside (students in Washington DC can attend state-supported schools in Maryland or Virginia)
• Must have a high school and/or college GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
• Must be no older than 25 years old by May 2012
• Must be a U.S. citizen, or documented permanent resident of the U.S. (or US Territory)
• Never at any time have been subject to any disciplinary action by any institution or entity, including, but not limited to, any educational or law enforcement agency
• Must be a driven advocate for breast cancer education and research who is able to complete a minimum of 20 hours of community service per semester