Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation (CBTF) wants to celebrate the accomplishments of families impacted by pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors by offering college scholarships and grants. If you have questions about any of the current scholarships or are interested in setting up a scholarship, please contact Beth Jones at bjones@cbtf.org. 

To qualify, applicants must have been (or have a sibling) diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumor before the age of 21 and reside in the United States or Canada. Two rounds scholarships are awarded each year, one in the spring and one in the fall, to students attending or preparing to attend two-year, four-year, graduate and technical schools. See applications for additional details. Checks are made out directly to the school. Scholarship recipients must be willing to share their story on any media format for CBTF.

The Amazing Grace Scholarship

Grace had a creative soul with a sweet spirit. Despite her everyday challenges, treatments, and chemotherapy, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from high school in May of 2017 with a 4.4 GPA. We hope that her diligent work effort, despite her diagnosis will provide the encouragement and hope that you need. While she was not able to fulfill her dream of completing college, we want to assist other brain tumor survivors in reaching their goals in her honor. -The Fulcher Family

The Rosalie Out of the Ordinary Scholarship

Rosalie Ou brought positive energy and creativity everywhere she went. Her passions were fashion, art, and friendship. Rosalie taught many of us the art of origami and at the same time instilled in us lessons about how to live a life filled with joy. Rosalie was not able to complete her degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology. In her memory we dedicate this scholarship to a student who wants to fulfill their dream of a career in fashion or art.

Carson Bailey Memorial Scholarship

Carson Bailey was a hardworking, straight A student and National Junior Honor Society member. He loved Transformers, Disney, cartoons, chicken tenders, french fries and, most importantly, spending time with his sister, cousins and the entire family. Carson’s zest for life could brighten any day, and he touched the lives of everyone around him. Unfortunately, he left this world and all who loved him way too soon. Carson had plans for his future, which included attending college. To honor Carson and the education he desired, the Bailey family is providing two scholarships to support brain tumor survivors and their siblings to help them achieve their educational goals

To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must have been diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumor before 21 and reside in the United States or Canada. Applicants must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Two $1000 scholarships are awarded each year, one in the spring and one in the fall, to students attending or preparing to attend two-year, four-year, graduate and technical schools. Checks are made out directly to the school. Scholarship recipients must be willing to share their story on any media format for CBTF.

The Survivor Strong Scholarship

The Survivor Strong scholarship was initiated by a couple who believes you are our future. Brain tumor survivors endure more than others their age. Despite the many things you did not choose or were out of your control, like medical treatments, you persevered. There were probably times you were strong for your parents or times you gave up friendships because the people around you didn’t understand the changes they couldn’t see. This scholarship is being offered so that you know there are people you don’t even know who believe in you and know you will make a difference in the world.

To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must have been diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumor before 21 and reside in the United States or Canada. Two $2000 scholarships are awarded each year, one in the spring and one in the fall, to students attending or preparing to attend two-year, four-year, graduate and technical schools. Checks are made out directly to the school. Scholarship recipients must be willing to share their story on any media format for CBTF. 

Carson Bailey Memorial Scholarship for Siblings

To qualify for the Carson Bailey Memorial Sibling Scholarship, applicants must be the sibling of a child diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumor before the age of 21. Applicants must also have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Two $1000 scholarships are awarded each year, one in the spring and one in the fall, to students attending or preparing to attend two-year, four-year, graduate and technical schools. Checks are made out directly to the school. Scholarship recipients must be willing to share their story on any media format for CBTF. 

The Sibling Strong Scholarship

When a child is diagnosed with a brain tumor, the entire family is impacted forever. We know the typical role a sibling plays within their family often changes, while they are experiencing many of the same difficult emotions as other family members. This scholarship is given in honor of the siblings. 

To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must be the sibling of a child diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumor before the age of 21. Two $1000 scholarships are awarded each year, one in the spring and one in the fall, to students attending or preparing to attend two-year, four-year, graduate and technical schools. Checks are made out directly to the school. Scholarship recipients must be willing to share their story on any media format for CBTF. 

The Jenna’s Rainbow Moving Forward Grant

The Jenna’s Rainbow (JRF) Moving Forward $2500 Grant is to help an adult brain or spinal cord tumor survivor that is moving into a new chapter of life. The goal is to help with financial assistance so a survivor can transition and feel more empowered as they manage the tools and resources needed to move forward.

Thank you to JRF for providing financial support for this opportunity.

The 2024 Grants are now closed. Grants to be used in the 2026 calendar year will open in the fall of 2025. If you have any questions, contact Stacia Wagner at swagner@cbtf.org.

Additional Resources

CBTF College Guide

CBTF recognizes that survivors encounter challenges in college that might be different than their peers. We have developed a College Guide to help address these challenges – allowing survivors to live up to their full potential! Download the college guide here.

Additional Scholarships

In addition to the scholarships offered by the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation, there are many other resources available to provide educational assistance to brain tumor survivors and their family members. Download a list of additional scholarships for survivors and siblings below (at the end of the scholarship list). If you would like to share a resource with us, please contact Beth Jones at bjones@cbtf.org.

Survivor Scholarships

Al Camp Memorial Scholarship
$1,000 to Georgia residents who are legally blind or financially dependent on legally blind
parents to pursue post-secondary education.
Website: https://www.georgiacounciloftheblind.org/scholarship.aspx
Deadline: March

American Council of the Blind Scholarship Program
Available for visually impaired undergraduate and graduate students nationwide who are
currently enrolling in or attending an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution full-time.
Website: https://www.acb.org/scholarships

Arthur E. and Helen Copeland Scholarships
$500 annually to one male and one female student who is legally blind and enrolling at a
two-year or four-year technical institution as a full-time undergraduate student. Applicants must
have participated in USABA sports programs.
Website:
https://accessscholarships.com/scholarship/arthur-e-and-helen-copeland-scholarships/
Deadline: July

Cancer for College
$5000 scholarships awarded to full time college students and part time graduate students.
Website: https://cancerforcollege.org/application-faqs/
Scholarship application period is November 1 – January 31

Cochlear Graeme Clark Scholarship
$2,000 for up to four years for graduating high school seniors with Nucleus cochlear implants.
Website:
https://www.cochlear.com/us/en/home/ongoing-care-and-support/connect-with-us/scholarships
Deadline: September

Epilepsy Scholarship
Annual scholarship available to students with epilepsy who are enrolled in colleges located in
the Western, Finger Lakes, and Central NY areas of NY.
Website: https://www.epiny.org/epilepsy/scholarship/
Deadline: April

Epilepsy Scholarship Program
Four $1,000 scholarships for New Jersey high school seniors with epilepsy who plan to attend a
college or university.
Website: https://www.familyresourcenetwork.org/education-training/
Deadline: June

Frank Seleny College Scholarship
$1000 award to young adults of pediatric cancer. The student must be a resident of Hawaii .
Website: https://www.hccf.org/program

Fred Scheigert Scholarship Program
$3,000 to three full-time undergraduate students throughout the U.S. who have low vision.
Website: https://cclvi.info/scheigert/
Deadline: March

Gavalas Kolanko Foundation Scholarship
$1,250 to full-time undergraduate students with physical impairments of sight, hearing, or
movement who are enrolled at the College of Charleston, Charleston Southern University, The
Citadel, Art Institute of Charleston, or Trident Technical College.
Website: https://gkfoundation.org/

Help America Hear Scholarship
$1,000 and 2 state-of-the-art hearing aids to high school seniors who are hard of hearing.
Website: https://helpamericahear.org/scholarship-program

Hydrocephalus Association
Offers a total of eleven scholarships annually in the amount of $1000 each. However, the
number of awarded scholarships may vary each year depending on available funding.
Website: https://www.hydroassoc.org/how-to-apply/
Deadline: Check website in January Applications open in December

Kay/Moore Scholarship Fund
For young cancer survivors who have participated in Special Love’s programs
Website: https://specialove.org/patients/scholarships/
Open: March

Lighthouse Guild Scholarship
Offers several scholarships for legally blind high school students applying to college and
graduate students.
Website:
https://lighthouseguild.org/support-services/academic-and-career-services/scholarships/
Deadline: March

Making Headway Scholarship
$5000 to young brain tumor or spinal cord tumor survivors who reside in the New York City
metropolitan area
Website: http://makingheadway.org/scholarship/
Deadline: May

Mays Mission for the Handicapped Scholarship Program
Scholarship for students with significant disabilities and are enrolled in a four-year
undergraduate study program
Website: https://www.maysmission.org/scholarships/
Deadline: June

Mesothelioma.com Scholarship
This scholarship program is available to students who have battled cancer at any point in their
lives or have a parent, sibling, immediate family member or close friend that has battled or is
currently fighting cancer.
Website: https://www.mesothelioma.com/scholarship/

National Children’s Cancer Society
Fifty-eight college scholarships are awarded each year to A pediatric cancer survivor under the
age of 25 and diagnosed before the age of 18 with cancer or a high grade or anaplastic brain
tumor.
Website: https://thenccs.org/scholarship/
Deadline: April

National Collegiate Cancer Foundation Scholarship
$1000 to past or current cancer patients who have continued with their education between the
ages of 18-35
Website: https://collegiatecancer.org/scholarships/
Applications: Open March

National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program
Ranging from $3,000 to $12,000 for legally blind college students in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Website: https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program
Deadline: March

North Carolina Community Foundation
Scholarships for cancer patients and survivors who reside in North Carolina.
Website: https://www.nccommunityfoundation.org/scholarships
Deadline: March

Patient Advocate Foundation Scholarships for Survivors
$3,000 for cancer survivors under the age of 25 pursuing an undergraduate and graduate
degrees.
Website: https://www.patientadvocate.org/connect-with-services/apply-for-a-scholarship/
Deadline: March

Sertoma Hard of Hearing or Deaf Scholarship
$1,000 to cover the tuition costs of pursuing a bachelor’s degree at an accredited U.S. college
for individuals with at least 40dB bilateral hearing loss verified on audiogram.
Website: https://www.sertoma.org/what-we-do/scholarships
Deadline: March

Shannon O’ Daniel Memorial Scholarship
Offers a scholarship for a student who is under the care of a physician for epilepsy and seizures,
and resident of Kentucky or certain counties in Southern Indiana
Website: https://www.efky.org/scholarships.html
Deadline: May

The Susan Fund, Inc.
The Susan Fund provides college scholarships to Fairfield County, Connecticut residents who
have fought any form of pediatric cancer.
Website: https://thesusanfund.org/scholarships/
Deadline: April

TAER Outstanding Student of the Year Scholarship
$1,000 to a visually impaired high school senior or undergraduate college student in Texas.
Website: http://www.txaer.org/general-information.html

Taylor Huth Memorial Scholarship Award
Academic scholarships are available to students diagnosed with epilepsy and Live in Ohio or
Northern Kentucky.
Website: https://www.epilepsy-ohio.org/news/taylor-huth-memorial-scholarship-program/
Deadline: March

The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation
Awards annual college scholarships as inspiration to cancer patients and survivors in order that
they may achieve their full potential.
Website: https://tcjayfund.org/get-help/scholarship-guidelines/
Deadline: April

TPA Scholarship Trust for the Hearing Impaired
Provides assistance to young people suffering from deafness or a severe hearing impairment.
Website: https://www.tpahq.org/tpa-hearing-trust/apply/

UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program
Scholarships are offered to people living with epilepsy or family members and caregivers of
people with epilepsy.
Website: https://www.ucbepilepsyscholarship.com/program-details

Sibling Scholarships

Children’s Cancer Center
Advanced education scholarships for Florida students who have had a diagnosis of cancer or
chronic blood disorder in the Tampa Bay area before the age of 21, OR have lost a sibling due
to a diagnosis of cancer or a chronic blood disorder. Scholarships are for undergraduate
degrees from an accredited university, college, community college, vocational technical school,
or other approved program.
Website: https://childrenscancercenter.org/scholarships/
Deadline: See website

Gabriela Blanco Scholarship for Siblings of Childhood Cancer Survivors
$2,000 allowance for tuition/room and board, plus a laptop or tablet (first-time awardees only)
Website: https://www.sofiashope.org/scholarships
Deadline: Cycle opens on Jan 1

Happy Jack Memorial Scholarship
Awarded to a candidate who has lost a sibling and resides in the state of New York or New
Jersey and is planning on pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree at an accredited university or college.
Website: https://www.happyjackfund.org/memorialscholarship
Deadline: See website

Other Scholarship Resources and Search Engines

There are so many free scholarship search engines available to students online you’ll get about 7 million results by Googling “scholarship search” that it can be difficult to know which websites to use. It’s a good idea to set up profiles on multiple sites so you get as many opportunities as possible.

The following are some of the top listed sites:
• www.CollegeBoard.com
• www.Fastweb.com
• www.Scholarships.com
• www.Cappex.com