Epilepsy Talk

Epilepsy College Scholarships | February 2, 2012

When I first started this article, I thought I was whistling in the wind. But I was happily surprised. Epilepsy scholarships do exist!

Some foundations and businesses award thousands of dollars towards your college education, others provide a few hundred. But the more you apply, the better chances you’ll have of getting at least some kind of assistance with your college tuition.

For five good epilepsy scholarship sponsors click on: http://www.collegescholarships.org/health/epileptic-students.htm and you’re off to a really good start!

Your local chapter of the Epilepsy Foundation might have scholarship monies available. Here are some examples of funding available to residents of specific geographic areas:

Amber Sweeney Memorial Epilepsy Scholarship (Arizona)

The scholarship is in memory of Amber Sweeney, a Prescott resident who died as a result of a seizure. College students from Yavapai County and students at Northern Arizona University are eligible to apply for this scholarship which provides up to $500. www.epilepsyfoundation.org/local/arizona

Mark Music Memorial Scholarship (Idaho)

Honoring an extraordinary man who graduated college despite extreme challenges from epilepsy. This $500 scholarship is offered to a high school graduate or college student who has epilepsy. The selection criteria are the same as for the above scholarship. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have been a resident of Idaho for at least one year. The application asks for several documents and is quite extensive. You can download the application and physician statement by logging on here: http://epilepsyidaho.org/music-scholar.htm. The instructions do ask that you use the physician statement included on the website.

Dakota Pequeno Memorial Scholarship (Michigan)

The recipient of the Dakota Pequeno Memorial Scholarship will be a student who has shown perseverance in eliminating obstacles that epilepsy and seizures may present, courage in dealing with epilepsy/seizures, community involvement, and commitment to their education.  http://www.epilepsymichigan.org/template.php?pid=229

Elam Baer and Janis Clay Educational Scholarship (Minnesota)

Ten $1,000 scholarships will be awarded annually to high school seniors or graduates already accepted into a post-secondary course of study. This scholarship is available to Minnesota and Eastern North Dakota residents who have been diagnosed with epilepsy or any seizure disorder. http://www.epilepsyfoundationmn.org/scholarships.aspx

The Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central Pennsylvania

Offers five $1,000 scholarships for people with epilepsy. To qualify for this award, the applicant must have a diagnosis of epilepsy or seizure disorder, be a legal resident of Western/Central Pennsylvania and have just graduated from high school and already accepted to a college/university and able to attend full-time in the coming year. For more details and to download an application, visit the website at www.efwp.org.

Stephen A. Segar Scholarship Program (Rochester-Syracuse-Binghamton)

Thanks to the generosity of this Rochester lawyer and a board-designated allocation, three $1,500 scholarships are available for high school seniors who reside within the 22-county territory served by the Epilepsy Foundation of Rochester-Syracuse-Binghamton.  http://www.epilepsyuny.org/scholarship.htm

Check to see if there is a chapter of the Epilepsy Foundation in your area. If there is, there may be scholarship opportunities through the Foundation.

In addition to the above scholarship offers, people with epilepsy may be eligible for several scholarships set aside for people with disabilities. Apply for as many scholarships as you can, because even though there are thousands of them, competition is stiff in every area. Above all, follow the instructions to the letter because if you leave something out that was requested, your application won’t even be considered.

OTHER EPILEPSY SCHOLARSHIPS

UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship

The UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program™, provides financial support for academic and personal achievement and is committed to recognizing the achievements of people living with epilepsy and their family members.

UCB will be awarding 40 $5,000 scholarships for people living with epilepsy, their family members, or caregivers who demonstrate academic and personal achievement. If you or someone you know might be eligible for the scholarship, visit www.ucbepilepsyscholarship.com to find more information and apply.

Pfizer Epilepsy Scholarship

Pfizer provides funds for 25 $3,000 scholarships annually. Students at the high school (seniors) and college (freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior who has applied to graduate ) levels are eligible to apply.

Applicants must be under a doctor’s care for epilepsy, have done well in school, and must show that they have participated in community and extracurricular activities.

Interested individuals are required to submit an official school transcript and two letters of recommendation with their application form. http://www.epilepsy-scholarship.com/Default.aspx

Keppra Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program

Scholarships are available to people with epilepsy plus, monies are available under this program for family members or caregivers of epilepsy patients.

For those with epilepsy, 20 scholarships in the amount of $5,000 each are available; family members and caregivers of people with epilepsy can apply for one of 10 scholarships, also in the amount of $5,000 each.

To be eligible to apply for this funding, one must be a legal (permanent) resident of the U.S. who has been accepted to or is currently enrolled in a U.S. educational institution. (Those seeking funding for either undergraduate or graduate studies are eligible to apply.)

All applicants will be evaluated on the basis of an essay or an artistic presentation setting out why they should be chosen to receive funding, the impact epilepsy has had in his/her life, and how the funds will be of assistance.

In addition, an academic transcript, three letters of recommendation, and a photograph (non-returnable) of the applicant are required.  www.http://www.epilepsyadvocate.com/resources/epilepsy-scholarship.aspx

HEATH Resource Center

For people with epilepsy seeking funding for educational purpose, there is an organization called HEATH Resource Center that provides information on post-secondary education for students with disabilities, including information on financial aid resources. Write or telephone: Heath Resource Center, One Dupont Circle, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20036-1193 (800) 544-3284

GENERAL INFO:

College scholarships are available for free from various companies and even the United States Government. Federal Grants and Government Grants for colleges are set up to provide you with money for your educational needs. Also school sponsorships are now available for moms and military personnel. For further information, click on: http://www.thefreecollegescholarships.org/

To subscribe to Epilepsytalk.com and get the latest articles, go to the bottom box of the right column and click on “Sign me up!”

 

---