Families who are faced with cancer undergo severe physical, psychological and financial strain. Students who are fighting cancer must often interrupt their education and cannot work to save money for college or participate in extracurricular activities.
Students who are first diagnosed with cancer while in college should talk with the dean of students and the director of student financial aid at their school. Many colleges and universities have contingency funds to provide additional assistance to students who are suddenly faced with a serious illness.
Furthermore, there are many groups and organizations who have developed grant and cancer scholarships to help students currently battling or who have battled cancer as well as students whose family members have been affected by cancer.
- Harvey Simon Memorial Scholarship
- Patient Advocate Foundation Scholarship for Survivors
- Ram Scholarship for the Arts
- Gabriela Blanco College Scholarships
- Stephen T. Marchello Foundation Scholarship
- Beyond the Cure Ambassador Scholarship
- PCRF Survivor Scholarship Award
- TRCF Scholarship
- Bags of Love Foundation Scholarship
- Tom Olen Memorial Fund Scholarship
- Sophie Malaviya Memorial Scholarship
- Ortlieb Foundation Scholarship
- Come Together Scholarship
- CancerCare YPC Scholarship
Deadline: 1/31/26Award Amount: Varies
The Harvey Simon Memorial Scholarship is available to undergraduate students who have had any type of cancer during their lifetime. To be considered, you must submit a maximum 1,000 - word essay on the following topic: "How has your experience with cancer driven you to help others?" Additionally, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
Deadline: 3/5/26Award Amount: $3,000
The PAF Scholarship for Survivors is available to full - time undergraduate and graduate students who have been diagnosed with or treated for a cancer or chronic disease. You must have a minimum 2.75 GPA to be eligible for this award.
Deadline: 3/15/26Award Amount: $500
The Ram Scholarship for the Arts is available to students who were diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 17 and 35. Special consideration will be given to glioblastoma multiforme survivors. You must be a U.S. citizen to be considered for this award. This award must be used for an art related expense.
Deadline: 3/15/26Award Amount: $2,000
The Gabriela Blanco College Scholarship is available to high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students. You must be the sibling of a childhood cancer survivor or a patient who is currently being treated for a childhood cancer to be considered for this award.
Deadline: 3/16/26Award Amount: Varies
The Stephen T. Marchello Foundation Scholarship is available to high school seniors who are survivors of childhood cancer. You must be a resident of Colorado or Montana to be eligible for this award. Selection for this award will be based on your high school GPA, SAT/ ACT scores, a reference letter from your doctor, and two letters of recommendation.
Deadline: 3/31/26Award Amount: $5,000
The Beyond the Cure Ambassador Scholarship is available to students under the age of 25 who were diagnosed with cancer or a high grade or anaplastic brain tumor before the age of 18. You must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be eligible for this award.
Deadline: 3/31/26Award Amount: $5,000
The PCRF Survivor Scholarship Award is available to full - time students who have been treated for pediatric cancer. You must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to be eligible for this award.
Deadline: 3/31/26Award Amount: $2,000 - $5,000
The TRCF Scholarship is available to full - time students who are cancer survivors or are currently receiving cancer treatment. You must be between the ages of 17 and 26 to be eligible for this award.
Deadline: 4/30/26Award Amount: $1,000 - $2,500
The Bags of Love Foundation Scholarship is available to high school seniors and college students who have been diagnosed with cancer. You must be a resident of California and demonstrate financial need to be eligible for this award.
Deadline: 5/1/26Award Amount: $1,000 - $5,000
The Tom Olen Memorial Fund Scholarship is available to high school seniors who have been affected by cancer. You must be a resident of Massachusetts and have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award.
Deadline: 5/31/26Award Amount: $1,000
The Sophie Malaviya Memorial Scholarship is available to female high school seniors who are cancer survivors or currently diagnosed with cancer. You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA to be eligible for this award.
Deadline: 6/15/26Award Amount: $1,000
The Ortlieb Foundation Scholarship is available to full - time students who have been diagnosed with cancer and are receiving treatment of chemotherapy, radiation, or proton therapy from an oncologist.
Deadline: RollingAward Amount: Varies
The Come Together Scholarship is available to full - time students who are undergoing cancer treatment. To be considered, you must submit a 500 - word essay explaining how cancer has impacted your life.
Deadline: RollingAward Amount: $2,500
The CancerCare YPC Scholarship is available to high school seniors and undergraduate students who have lost a parent or guardian to cancer in the last two years. You must be a resident of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania to be eligible for this award.
