Scholarships Available for Students Affected by 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.”

How to Apply

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