• Scholarships help defray high tuition expenses for cancer survivors and patients.graduation image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
  
  The financial, physical, and emotional strains of having cancer are strenuous, interrupting patients' normal activities of working and studying. For those who have survived cancer or who are going through cancer treatments, scholarships are available to assist academic endeavors. Scholarship grants help fulfill the dream of completing an education.
  
  

American Cancer Society Youth Cancer Survivor Scholarships

• The American Cancer Society provides educational grants to young cancer survivors who wish to pursue college or graduate studies. Each scholarship varies according to its division and rewards residents of different states of the western or mid-southern regions of the country. The available grants range from $1,000 to $2,500. A few of the grants require the applicant to achieve a GPA of 2.5 or higher, to be younger than 25 years of age at the time of application, and to be diagnosed with cancer before age 21.
  
  American Cancer Society
  
  250 Williams St. NW
  
  Suite 600
  
  Atlanta, Georgia 30303
  
  800-227-2345
  
  cancer.org
  
  

Jeff Apodaca Celebration of Life Grant

• This grant is awarded to young students who have overcome cancer. The award of $5,000 goes toward paying school fees and purchasing textbooks. Applicants are required to complete the application forms by Oct. 1 of the year. They must be New Mexico residents who are already accepted into a college or university of their choice within the state.
  
  The University of New Mexico Foundation
  
  700 Lomas Blvd. NE
  
  Two Woodward Center
  
  Albuquerque, NM 87102
  
  505-277-0111
  
  hospitals.unm.edu
  
  

Cancer for College Scholarships

• To be eligible, students must be a cancer patient or survivor already enrolled in a university--either in an undergraduate or graduate program--or trade school. Applicants may submit an initial application, due March 1 of every year. The foundation is receptive to applicants from every state. Recipients are required to participate in the foundation's scholarship events and must be available for interviews or promotional media functions.
  
  Cancer for College
  
  A Triumph Scholarship Foundation
  
  1345 Specialty Drive, Suite D
  
  Vista, CA 92081
  
  760-599-5096
  
  cancerforcollege.org
  
  

Cancer Survivors Fund

• Applications for this fund start on Sept. 1 for the following spring. The fund is for students who are either cancer survivors or patients, already enrolled in undergraduate studies. They are required to submit proof of acceptance to a college, proof of diagnosis, two recommendation letters from teachers, and an essay of 500 to 1,200 words, discussing how cancer has influenced their career goals and values. Recipients must agree to counsel and support other cancer patients and to have their names and photos released to the media, promoting the foundation.
  
  Cancer Survivor's Fund
  
  P.O. Box 792
  
  Missouri City, TX 77459
  
  281-437-7142
  
  cancersurvivorsfund.org
  
  

Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund

• The fund supports cancer patients, ages 18 to 40 years, who are undergoing medical treatments. It helps with everyday expenses: housing, food, entertainment, car insurance, transportation, health insurance co-payments, and health care services in the home. Grants average $600. The fund does not cover educational costs. Brenda Mehling, the late founder of the fund, established the foundation to provide financial aid and support to young cancer patients as they go through chemotherapy treatments.
  
  Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund
  
  24152 Lyons Ave., #157
  
  Santa Clarita, CA 91321
  
  661-310-7940
  
  bmcf.net