Scholarship for Survivors - National Undergraduate Scholarship 2026

During PAF's daily interactions with patients, PAF staff often interact with patients and families who have experienced the impact of cancer or a chronic illness on post-secondary education. In 2000, PAF established the Scholarship for Survivors program to honor these individuals by offering educational scholarships to students who have suffered (or are suffering) from cancer or a chronic illness. These students have, despite their diagnosis, excelled academically, served the community, and desire to pursue a secondary education.

The purpose of our scholarship program is to provide support to individuals that are legal residents of the United States of America pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies who have been diagnosed with or treated for a cancer or chronic disease in the past five years (undergraduate) or 10 years (graduate).

Dear Scholarship Applicant:

On behalf of Patient Advocate Foundation’s Board of Directors and Scholarship Review Committee, we thank you for your interest in our 2026-2027 Scholarship for Survivors program.

The purpose of our scholarship program is to provide support to individuals, under the age of 25 who have been diagnosed with or treated for a cancer or chronic disease within the past five years. Applicants must apply via Kaleidoscope and submit all required information in its entirety via the application on Kaleidoscope. Due to the increasing demand for our scholarships, incomplete applications will not be reviewed by the Scholarship Review Committee for consideration. All applications must be submitted no later than March 5, 2026, 11:59 PM EST.

All applicants will be notified via email by July 2026 of the Review Committee decisions.

Scholarship Amount and Distribution:

• PAF’s Scholarship for Survivor Undergraduate scholars are eligible to receive a scholarship of $3,000 per school year ($1500 per semester: Fall/Spring) for four consecutive years (provided funding is available) until the student receives a maximum of $12,000 or graduates with a bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first.

• The award is paid directly to the college or university for defraying tuition, books, and other fee costs.

If selected as a recipient, below are requirements to maintain the scholarship:

• Complete and sign Scholarship for Survivors Scholarship Agreement

• Agree to media release terms and conditions

• Provide a personal bio (250 words or less) and self-portrait/headshots (at least 300 dpi) for publication

• Record at least (1) 30 second- 1 minute “Thank You” video for our donors.

• Must maintain a cumulative 2.75 G.P.A.

• Must be a full-time student

• Must sign an agreement to complete 20 hours of community service for the year the scholarship will be dispensed and provide PAF with a letter of confirmation signed by a supervisor when that service has been completed.

Failure to meet any/all of these requirements is a violation of the award, and the recipient will be responsible for repayment of the award monies.

Complete List of Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicant must be under the age of 25.
• Must have been diagnosed with and/or been actively treated for a cancer or chronic disease within the past five years.
• Must be pursuing an Associate’s degree or higher.
• Complete Scholarship for Survivors application in full
• Applicant must write an essay on how their diagnosis has impacted their lives and future goals. (500 word minimum and 2000-word maximum)
• Applicant must submit a copy of an acceptance letter from the college or university the applicant is planning to attend. If applicant is unsure or has not received acceptance letters yet, please list colleges to which student has applied to. If selected as an award recipient, college acceptance will be verified.
• Applicant must upload two letters of reference of recommendation from non-related persons (examples: teachers, coaches, community leaders). The recommender should be able to endorse your personal character, academic achievements, and work or volunteer experience. Recommender must include their name, address, and phone number within the letter. Your reference letters are an important part of your application. Think hard about who to ask! 
• Applicant must provide a copy of an official transcript. If you are selected as a scholarship recipient, an official transcript will be required before funds are distributed to college or university.
• Applicant must complete the financial section demonstrating financial need and include a copy of the first two pages of tax return from the most recent tax year for the individual claiming the student as a dependent. If the student or parent claims $0 income on taxes or did not file their taxes, please complete the official letter of non-filing from the IRS and complete the Declaration of Income Form.
• Applicant's treating physician, oncologist, primary care physician, or nurse must verify patient's diagnosis by completing the  Diagnosis Verification Form or by submitting a signed letter on practice's/providers letterhead. The letter need only include:
  • Patient’s name
  • Patient’s diagnosis
  • Date of diagnosis
  • When the patient began or will begin active treatment 
  • When patient ended or will end active treatment (chronic illnesses do not require end date)

To apply to PAF’s Scholarship for Survivors Undergraduate Scholarship, student must have been diagnosed with and/or been actively treated for cancer or a chronic illness within the past five (5) years

Diagnosis is considered active, and student is eligible to apply, if the patient is currently and actively being treated for cancer/chronic illness and/or has been actively treated in the past 5 years.

• Scenarios demonstrating active cancer treatment/ chronic illness status include:
  • Current chemotherapy, radiation, or anti-neoplasm drug therapy
  • Current drug therapy being administered as treatment for chronic illness
  • Current pathology revealing cancer/ chronic illness
  • A newly diagnosed patient awaiting treatment
  • Affirmation of current disease management
• The cancerous organ has been removed or partially removed and the patient is still receiving ongoing treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation.
• The patient is currently on adjuvant therapy for prophylactic purposes.

Diagnosis is considered historical and not eligible to apply if:

• The cancer/chronic illness was successfully treated, and the patient has been out of active treatment for more than 5 years.
• The patient had cancer/chronic illness and is coming back for surveillance of recurrence (Annual check-ups)