Alpha-1 Educational Scholarship 2026

The Alpha-1Educational Scholarship program is designed to assist those in need to further their education and the opportunities available to them to support their families. This program is available to Alphas and their immediate family members. Scholarship recipients are selected by an Alpha-1 Foundation Scholarship Review Committee. 

The deadline to submit a completed application with all attachments is April 15, 2026.

Alpha-1 Educational Scholarships are available to: 

• Individuals with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) 

• Immediate family members (spouses, children, and grandchildren) of individuals with Alpha-1 

Scholarships can be used for study at an approved institution (i.e., an accredited university, community college or technical institute) for post-high school education and career change/returning adult students. 

Applicants must be accepted for study at an approved institution (i.e., an accredited university, community college or technical institute) and must be an incoming freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student planning to attend a community college, college, university, or other post-graduate programs. 

Funds may be used for tuition, registration and other fees, and books and related materials. 

Individuals are only eligible to receive an Alpha-1 Educational Scholarship once. The Alpha-1 Educational Scholarship program is restricted to Alpha-1 patients or direct family members in the United States who are attending or plan to attend schools in the United States. 

All Alpha-1 Educational Scholarship applicants must agree to the following to be considered for an award: 

• Applicants agree to be added to the mailing list of the Alpha-1 Foundation, which is confidential and never shared with outside organizations, and receive occasional Foundation 

• Recipients agree to have their picture and short bio published in the Alpha-1-to-One Magazine for that scholarship year and other potential Alpha-1 Foundation publications, including the Alpha-1 Foundation 

• Recipients agree to participate in potential follow up discussions and/or meetings regarding the Alpha-1 community and involvement opportunities with the Alpha-1 

• Recipients may be asked to participate in future Alpha-1 Foundation program and/or planning 

• Recipients may be asked to raise awareness for Alpha-1 by sharing Alpha-1 Foundation social media 

Your application must include the following attachments to be considered: 

• A copy of the applicant’s ACT/SAT scores, if test was taken. If you do not have ACT/SAT scores, please state. 

• A copy of the applicant’s most recent transcripts [can be a clean, clear copy or forwarded by the institution, but must be received before the deadline] 

• Most recent high school transcripts for incoming freshmen 

• Most recent college transcripts for continuing students 

• Documentation of applicant’s high school or college GPA [if it is included on most recent transcripts, it is acceptable] 

• A 500-word essay explaining the lessons you have learned from Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) and how it has impacted you as an individual 

• High resolution headshot [in jpeg form] 

Please be as detailed as possible when entering the information into your application. Your score will be the weighted sum of your averaged essay score, GPA, community involvement, activities and work experience. 

All applicants consent to having their names and photos published and announced, at the Alpha-1 Foundation’s discretion, on the Alpha-1 Foundation website and other publications, including the Alpha-1-to-One magazine. Recipients agree to participate in a focus group and/or survey if requested. 

The call for applications is made each year in early Spring, and the Alpha-1 Educational Scholarships are awarded in late Summer. A scholarship review committee of the Alpha-1 Foundation (A1F) Board of Directors reviews and selects the scholarship recipients in July. A1F will be announcing the Alpha-1 Educational Scholarships inf August. Recipients will be notified via email. If you do not receive an email by August 15th, please feel free to send a follow-up email. Please ensure that we have a current email address on your application. 

• Submission Deadline: April 15th 

• Application review process: July 

• Scholarships awarded: August 

• Recipients notified: By August 15th 

For questions regarding Alpha-1 Educational Scholarships, please email [email protected]. Please do not contact our office regarding your application selection status before August 15th.