Breast Cancer Scholarships

Senior high school students whose lives have been changed by breast cancer in some ways should include in their college search looking and applying for breast cancer scholarships from some organizations that fund such scholarships.  Considering the difficulties and the sufferings that breast cancer survivors and their family members have to endure after the patient has been diagnosed with cancer, receiving such financial aid is the least that the society could do to help them. 

The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation is one of those entities that offer breast cancer scholarships to deserving senior students. The founders of the breast cancer foundation, Dana Effron and Cathy Varunok, exemplify the qualities of the candidates of the foundation’s breast

The Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation scholarships awards eight students with a breast cancer scholarships worth $1000 each.  The applicants should satisfy the following requirements:

(a) the applicant is either a breast cancer patient/survivor or has a direct family member with breast cancer;

(b) must be a resident of one of the following 8 counties in New York: Dutchess, Columbia,  Orange, Greene, Rockland, Putnam, Ulster, and Westchester;

(c) must be a graduating high school student by June of  the year of the scholarship application;

(d) must attend a recognized college or school of trade; and

(e) must provide the following documents/forms: recommendation letters, a copy of academic transcript and SAT scores, a short essay describing how breast cancer has changed his/her life, completely filled-out financial aid and application forms, and income tax return of parent or guardian.

Interested applicants to the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation Scholarships may download the application form from its official website.  The applicant’s essay must not exceed 500 words. Application forms and required documents must be submitted and postmarked by April 1 of the year.

The MaryEllen Locher Foundation also provides breast cancer scholarships to qualified students.  The foundation, formerly known as Children of Breast Cancer Foundation and founded by MaryEllen Locher, started giving scholarships in 2002. Just like any foundation started by a private individual, the MaryEllen Locher started small with only one scholarship recipient during its first year.  Through the years sponsors and donors have increased as evidenced by the increase in the number of recipients. 

This year, the foundation awarded a total of 29 scholarships to the most qualified students among the applicants. The scholarship grants a $1000 to $2000 financial aid to a student affected by breast cancer for college tuition.  This financial aid should help students minimize their student loans.  Unlike other scholarships, the recipients of MaryEllen Locher Foundation Scholarships may reapply and enjoy up to four years of scholarship grants.  Scholarship recipients who reapply will undergo the same application process. 

Students who are interested to apply may download the application packet from the foundation’s official website.  The application packet includes the application form as well as the overview, eligibility requirements, list of required documentations, and other pertinent details.  Alternatively, the minimum eligibility requirements for the foundation’s breast cancer scholarships are provided below:

(a) must have lost a parent to either breast cancer or complications related to breast cancer, or has a mother who is  a breast cancer survivor;

(b) must have a minimum General Point Average (GPA) of 2.0;

(c) must have a GED or high school diploma;

(d) write an essay on ‘How will this scholarship affect you and your family?’  The essay should have at least two paragraphs;

(e) must have legal residence in any state in the United States; and

(f) must enroll as a full-time student in a recognized 2 year or 4 year college or university.  The foundation is not allowed to give scholarships for graduate studies or program.

In addition to the requirements listed above, the applicants to the breast cancer scholarships need to write two more essays, the topics of which can be chosen from a list of seven topics/questions.  Three sets of each document must be provided and collated into three individual packets and sent by mail to the foundation’s official address. Application forms and all the required documentations must be submitted by mail and postmarked on or before January 15 of the academic year being applied for.  Applicants will be evaluated based on their eligibility, essays, grades, and financial need.

A student who has a parent who has (or had) breast cancer and is interested in taking business administration-related courses can improve the chances of landing a scholarship by searching and applying not only for breast cancer scholarships but for business administration scholarships as well.