SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

SUPPORT FOR LIFE

BEYOND CANCER

Being a young cancer survivor comes with challenges unlike any other, as you navigate some of the hardest years of your life while facing an uncertain future.

While many organizations focus on immediate needs, The Ruth Cheatham Foundation is dedicated to supporting your long-term goals.

Our scholarship program empowers young survivors to pursue higher education, explore new opportunities, and shape the future they deserve. Through resources, guidance, and financial support, we help scholars not just survive, but truly thrive as they take the next steps toward college and beyond.

OUR MISSION

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SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

In order to qualify for the TRCF scholarship, applicants must be:

A cancer survivor or currently undergoing cancer treatment

Between the ages of 17 and 26

Enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited college, university, or trade school located in the United States

Enrolled or planning to enroll as a full-time student (24 credit hours a year)

A U.S. Resident

SCHOLARSHIP FAQs
APPLICATION TROUBLESHOOTING

WHY IT MATTERS

Teen cancer survivors face immense challenges including lost school time, financial strain, learning challenges, physical limitations, and emotional burdens. TRCF focuses our support on young adults who have been hit particularly hard by the physical and financial burdens of cancer, using data to create impactful programs that truly work.

Our scholars succeed because we:

  • Remove financial barriers with scholarships.

  • Provide academic tools through tutoring.

  • Build peer connections for emotional support.

  • Offer comfort and essentials during health setbacks.

Every program is designed to meet the real needs of survivors, ensuring they can achieve their goals and build a brighter future.

SCHOLARSHIP FAQs

  • The Ruth Cheatham Foundation Scholarship is open to young adults ages 17-26 who have been diagnosed with cancer (current or in the past). Scholarships are awarded based on financial need and the impact of disease and can vary in amount from $2,000, $3,500, and $5,000.

  • TRCF scholarship application opens in December and applications must be submitted by the following March.

  • To date, TRCF has awarded a total of 653 scholarships to teens and young adults battling and surviving cancer. In 2024 TRCF was excited to award 260 scholarships to deserving young adults impacted by cancer. .

  • Any U.S. resident who is a cancer patient or survivor, age 17-26, enrolled full-time at an accredited undergraduate college, university, or trade school.

  • Applicants are required to submit a verification of cancer diagnosis letter, a copy of their (or their parents, if they are claimed as a dependent) most recent Tax Return, proof of acceptance or enrollment at your university of choice, and a recent school transcrip

  • No. We welcome students at any level, provided they are aged 17-26 at the time of the application submission.

  • We suggest taking your time to ensure accuracy. Provided you have all the required documentation, most applicants can complete the application in 30 minutes - 1 hour.

  • Absolutely! TRCF Scholarships are awarded to full-time students attending an accredited undergraduate college, university, or trade school.

  • Unfortunately, the TRCF scholarship is only available to students who have been diagnosed with cancer (including cancer survivors and current cancer treatment patients). IF you have a disease that has similar symptoms or a similar treatment but is not officially classified as cancer, you do not fall within our requirements and we would encourage you to check out our resource page to find other, more suitable scholarships.

  • At this time, we can only provide TRCF scholarships to residents of the United States, attending school in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

  • Absolutely! We welcome you to reapply and hope that we can assist in the future!

  • TRCF notifies scholarship recipients (and those that we are not able to award scholarships to) in August.

  • Scholarship checks are paid directly to your university. Please note that some schools may take longer to process your scholarship check. If you have questions or concerns, please contact brielle@ruthcheathamfoundation.org

  • Yes. Please contact us at mail@ruthcheathamfoundation.org or brielle@ruthcheathamfoundation.org for additional help.

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