Cancer survivors may seek scholarships to enroll in online universities

Cancer survivors may seek scholarships to enroll in online universities

Current and prospective college students who have overcome cancer may seek scholarships to help them pursue an on-campus or online education, such as the American Cancer Society's (ACS) Cancer Survivor College Scholarship program, the Ritzville Adams County Journal reports.

The ACS's Great West division is offering college students under the age of 25 who were diagnosed with cancer before they turned 21 the opportunity to compete for $2,500 scholarships to help them finance their postsecondary pursuits.

Students living in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada or Utah, and who are enrolled or planning to enroll full-time at any accredited university, community college or vocational program are invited to apply.

Interested candidates must show proof of a GPA of 2.5 or higher, have demonstrable financial need, engage in community service, write an essay outlining their leadership goals and provide letters of recommendation.

Awardees who volunteer with the ACS during the school year and maintain the program's requirements may reapply each year to receive a maximum of $10,000 over their lifetimes, according to the ACS website.

The program aims to encourage childhood cancer survivors to "fulfill their dreams and realize their full potential" through on-campus or online degree programs, Randi Cress, a representative from the ACS's Great West division, told the newspaper.