Scholarships are often awarded to the best and brightest among us – the superstars. But what about those who haven’t had it easy, those who have suffered immensely challenging or even tragic circumstances? Good news: Scholarships are available for survivors, too. Take a look at some inspirational scholarships that offer a hand up to students who are committed to overcoming obstacles via education.
Freedom Alliance Scholarship
This scholarship is for high school seniors or college students who are children of U.S. military personnel who were killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty or who are prisoners of war or missing in action. The average renewable award is more than $4,500, and get this – you receive a $25 Visa gift card just for applying! The application deadline is June 30.
Phoenix Education Grant
These scholarships, awarded by the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors, are available to high-achieving, burn-injured high school seniors and college students. Scholarships range from $500 to $1,500 and are awarded based on academic ability, essays, reference letters, and financial need. The annual scholarship deadline is July 1.
Lupus Inspiration Foundation for Excellence (L.I.F.E.) Scholarship
If you’re a current college student with at least a 3.0 GPA – and you’ve been diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disease that leads to chronic inflammation) – you may be eligible for a $500+ L.I.F.E. scholarship. To qualify, just submit a completed application, recent transcript, letter of recommendation, doctor’s note, and a short essay entitled “How Lupus Has Affected My Life” by the annual July 1 scholarship deadline.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Scholarship
This scholarship is available to first-time college freshmen who have multiple sclerosis (an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system) or who have a parent with multiple sclerosis. Nonrenewable scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, leadership, work experience, an essay, and more. Awards range from $1,000 to $3,000, although a limited number of awards may exceed this amount. In 2012, over $1 million was awarded to more than 640 scholars. The annual scholarship deadline is January 15.
Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Scholarship
Students who have been diagnosed with a primary malignant or non-malignant central nervous system brain and/or spinal cord tumor may be eligible for this college scholarship. To date, the foundation has awarded more than 1,000 scholarships, and it is funding 100 scholarships for the 2013-2014 academic year. Awards are sent directly to academic institutions and may be used to cover the cost of tuition, fees, and books. The annual scholarship deadline is March 1.
Cystic Fibrosis Scholarship
The Cystic Fibrosis Scholarship Foundation awards $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors and college students with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. Scholarships are based on educational performance, personal achievement, and financial need, with single-year and multi-year awards available. Approximately 25 percent of students who apply win a scholarship – that’s a one in four shot! Applications are available each January, with the annual scholarship deadline in March.
Hydrocephalus Association Scholarships
Students with hydrocephalus – a condition in which fluid accumulates in the brain – may be eligible for one of nine $1,000 scholarships from the Hydrocephalus Association. The scholarship must be applied toward tuition, books, housing, or other education expense at a four-year or junior college, technical or trade school, high school postgraduate year, or accredited employment training program. The annual scholarship deadline is in April.
National Collegiate Cancer Foundation Scholarship
This $1,000 scholarship is for high school seniors and college students who are cancer patients or cancer survivors. Awards are based on a “will win” attitude, essays, financial need, overall story of cancer survivorship, commitment to education, and recommendations. Scholarships are nonrenewable, though past recipients may reapply. The annual application deadline is May 15.
Families of Freedom Scholarship
This scholarship is available to children, spouses, and domestic partners of those who were killed or permanently disabled as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Recipients may receive aid for four years of full-time study, or the part-time equivalent. As of September 2012, $80.2 million in scholarships had been awarded to more than 2,000 individuals affected by 9/11. The annual scholarship deadline is May 15 or the student’s school term ending date.
Women’s Independence Scholarship
Survivors of intimate partner abuse who have been separated from their abuser for at least one year may be eligible for this empowering scholarship, with priority given to financially challenged single mothers of young children. The renewable scholarships are for full- or part-time college study, with an average award of about $2,000 per school term. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis, though women are encouraged to apply at least two months before their education program start date.