High Plains Childhood Cancer Survivor Scholarships

The High Plains Division of the American Cancer Society is proud to offer up to $1,000 academic or vocational trade school scholarships to selected applicants with funds made available through American Cancer Society fund raising activities.
Childhood Cancer Survivor Scholarship Funds offer support for students who have survived any type of cancer during their childhood. Each application will be evaluated based upon an essay, financial need, and GPA.

Due to limited resources, the American Cancer Society may not be able to award scholarships to all cancer survivors who apply. While we do not guarantee their scholarship will be renewed, applicants who received a scholarship last year can reapply each year.

The scholarship application form is not posted online. Interested students should contact Phyllis Caron at Phyllis.Caron@cancer.org or call (512) 919-1910 to request the application packet. Be sure to include your name and the best daytime phone number to reach you.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must meet the following requirements to apply:

1. Must be a legal resident of Guam, Hawaii, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, or Texas.
2. Must have received cancer diagnosis before age 21.
3. Must be under age 25 at time of application.
4. Be a high school senior, or already in college, and have a GPA of at least 2.0 (based on a 4.0 scale).
5. Must be accepted to and or attend an accredited college or university for undergraduate education, trade or vocational school.

Application Procedure:

Each applicant must provide the following information to the American Cancer Society, High Plains Division, Austin Corporate Office. Only complete applications (including all required documentation) that are submitted by the postmark deadline will be considered for review. The American Cancer Society will be unable to follow up on missing documentation or incomplete applications.

New Applicants:

1. A completed application form.
2. Proof of residency such as copy of driver’s license or utility bill.
3. A copy of applicant’s high school or college transcript from the most recently completed semester.
4. A copy of applicant’s current Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR represents official results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). (Apply for SAR online at www.fafsa.gov starting January 1.. Allow 4-6 weeks for processing.)
5. A copy of acceptance letter from an accredited college, university, trade or vocational school.
6. A one to two-page single spaced,12 pt font, personal essay detailing the applicants:
   • Goals – Education and/or training plans immediately following high school and possible career goals/paths.
   • Life Experience – Courage, self-reliance, and/or determination affecting life to this point and how life experiences can help prepare you to reach future goals.
   • Community Involvement Including Cancer Related Activities – Any volunteer work done by the applicant or immediate family to benefit individuals, groups, non-profit organizations (including the American Cancer Society), agencies, schools, and or the community at large. Any cancer related involvement should be highlighted. Should also mention any awards or recognition received.
7. Two references:
   • The letter reference form included with the application, completed by an adult (over 21) and who is not a relative.
   • One letter that must be on letterhead from a physician or treatment facility. It should confirm the cancer type and date of diagnosis.

Previous Recipients:

All of the above except the two references.

Selection and Award Process

After applications are received and reviewed and the scholarship recipients have been determined, letters will be sent to recipients notifying them of their award. All monies for tuition will be paid directly to the school. Those not awarded scholarships will be notified by letter.