Application Information & FAQs
Although we award many scholarships, there is only one application, which is completed online.
Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
- You must personally have been diagnosed with cancer.
- You are either attending or planning to attend an accredited college or university, located in the US.
- You are enrolled/planning to enroll in a degree-earning program, or certificate-earning program from an accredited university, trade school or similar program.
- You will attend school as a full time student as an undergraduate student or at least part time as a graduate student.
- Adjusted gross income for the applicant (or their parent/guardian, if they are dependent) for the most recent tax year must be no more than $150,000.
Additional Information
- Scholarship recipients may reapply for a scholarship every year that they are in school, including graduate school.
- Community college applicants are eligible, but the scholarship award may not be greater than the amount needed.
- Awards are typically $5,000 each.
- Undergraduate scholarship recipients must maintain full-time enrollment at their stated university.
- Failure to maintain full-time enrollment or transfer from a 4-year university to a community college may result in loss of scholarship funds.
- Graduate students receiving scholarships do not need to maintain full-time student status.
- Scholarship recipients experiencing health-related issues that force them to leave school may request a one-time extension of their scholarship, not to exceed one school year. Recipients exceeding this time will forgo their scholarship, but may reapply when ready to return to school.
- Trade school and certificate programs are often eligible. Please email applications@cancerforcollege.org to inquire.
- You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply, but you must be attending school in the U.S.
- There is no recipient age limit.
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Required Documents:
1. The first two pages of your most recent tax return
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- Your parents’ (jointly or individually based on filing status) most recently completed tax forms if you are a dependent
- OR Your personal tax return if you are NOT a dependent
- OR Proof of income if you don’t file taxes (such as SSI, snap benefits or other documentation)
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2. Transcripts from your last 4 semesters
High school, college, or a combination of both. Transcripts can be unofficial.
3. Confirmation of Diagnosis Letter
Must be on medical letterhead from your oncologist, primary care doctor or nurse. Can be current doctor or doctor at time of diagnosis/treatment.
4. (Optional) Letter of Recommendation
Must be from one person OUTSIDE of your family. This can be requested via email through the application, or personally uploaded if you already have a copy.
ROBERT LISAC
University of Central Florida
Graduate/Doctor of Medicine
Survivor/Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
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Cancer for College was formed in 1993 by Craig Pollard as a senior project while at the USC Business School. Craig was a two-time cancer survivor and witnessed first-hand the financial impact cancer can have on a family and the hope a college education can provide to a survivor.
Yes! Cancer for College is a registered 501(c)3 charitable foundation. Our Tax ID is 93-1144756. Click HERE for our listing on GuideStar.
Cancer for College provides hope and inspiration by granting need-based scholarships and educational experiences to high-achieving cancer survivors.
The number of scholarships varies each year. In 2023, in celebration of our 30th Anniversary, we are planning to provide $1M in scholarship funding.
The application period opens on November 1 and closes on January 31 each year.
Any cancer survivor or cancer warrior who is enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited college or trade school, with a family income of less than $150,000/year. Please see above for eligibility requirements.
At this time, we can only provide scholarships to students attending school in the United States or Puerto Rico. However, you do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply.
Will and Craig have been friends since their days in the Delta Tau Delta fraternity at USC. Will has been a long-time supporter of the charity since its earliest days. As his fame has grown, he’s become increasingly generous with time and contributions to the cause. Will serves as the celebrity host to a number of Cancer for College fund raising events.
You never know. Your best chance is to come to one of the events he hosts. Check the events tab to see what upcoming events we have where Will is doing his thing. Attendees might have the chance to meet him, shake his hand, get an autograph, tell him a lame story and even take a picture. Sign up to attend our events and it is very likely you will cross paths with him!
You can help out by donating, volunteering, or spreading awareness of our cause through social media or our fundraising campaigns. In addition to donations of funds, we also accept high value objects and experiences to use as auction items at various events. Thank you for asking!