College Scholars Program: 2026 Application
The Children’s Cancer Cause College Scholars Program awards academic scholarships to childhood cancer survivors who demonstrate a commitment to cancer advocacy.
Children’s Cancer Cause, with generous support from Hyundai Hope on Wheels, is pleased to again offer academic scholarships for childhood cancer survivors, plus the opportunity to gain valuable cancer advocacy experience with support and mentorship from our team.
Since this program began in 2018, we have awarded nearly 70 cancer survivors with college scholarships. In 2026, we will award up to 25 survivors with scholarships ranging from $1,500 to $5,000.
To be eligible for consideration, you must be:
A resident of the United States;
A pediatric or adolescent cancer survivor (diagnosed before age 20; those in active treatment are also eligible); and
Pursuing post-secondary education (including trade school, community college, culinary school, or certificate programs).
The 2025 application is due on March 10, 2026.
Pictured: 2024 Scholar Lucy with her newly formed childhood cancer awareness club at Utah State University in the fall of 2024
The College Scholars Experience
Survivors who receive a scholarship from Children’s Cancer Cause are expected to undertake a volunteer project of their choice, related to cancer advocacy. Advocacy is about using your voice to influence public support for a cause - in this case, childhood cancer.
These projects should be something you are able to complete within one year of selection as a College Scholar with your own resources (please note that scholarship funds go directly to your university’s financial aid office, not toward any project-related costs). Our selection committee judges the volunteer project proposals based on creativity, impact, feasibility (ability to complete the project with limited time and resources), and the project’s relation to cancer advocacy.
Past scholarship winners have undertaken projects that include a community bone marrow drive, a podcast for other cancer survivors, and the formation of a campus cancer advocacy organization. You may find it helpful to read about the projects chosen by prior award recipients: 2025 Scholars / Program Alumni. A fundraiser is not an eligible project.
Our College Scholars receive support and mentorship from the Children’s Cancer Cause team and access to our network of advisors, experts, and alumni Scholars.
2026 Application Form
To apply, you’ll be asked to submit:
An essay about your cancer experience (200-300 words)
Information about any past or current cancer volunteer history
Your proposal for the advocacy project that you commit to undertaking if selected as a 2026 Scholar (200-300 words).
Why this project is personal to you (100-200 words).
Word counts are guidelines, not strict limits. We recommend drafting these on a word processor in case there is a problem with the submission of this form.
We recognize that leadership and advocacy take many forms and that applicants have access to different opportunities and resources. We value authenticity, reflection, and commitment over polish or scale.
The deadline to apply is March 10, 2026. Scholarship recipients will be notified by April 30th.
If you are selected for a scholarship, please note that excerpts from the essays in your application, submitted media, and your first name will be used in publicizing the stories of scholarship recipients and may be used by Children’s Cancer Cause and/or Hyundai Hope on Wheels in awareness, marketing, and fundraising campaigns.
Francesca, 2022 Stewart Scholar
Those selected will also be required to provide the following prior to the release of your prize funds. Please note that you do not need to provide any of this information to apply (only to accept):
2-3 photos of yourself;
A brief video (2-3 minutes) sharing your cancer story;
Documentation of your cancer diagnosis from a treating physician or institution, to verify your status as a cancer survivor;
Most recent high school or college transcript, to verify your GPA;
Taxpayer information for issuance of a 1099 form (only required in certain circumstances); and
Timeline toward completion of your volunteer project.
