College Scholarships for Dialysis Patients

I've been on dialysis for a while, and I'm starting to look into college scholarships. Are there any scholarships specifically for students like me facing dialysis treatment? I could really use some financial assistance for college.

Yes, indeed! There are a number of scholarships tailored to help students with chronic illnesses, including those undergoing dialysis. Here are a few you might want to consider:

1. The Boomer Esiason Foundation Scholarships: This foundation provides scholarships to students with cystic fibrosis, a condition often leading to kidney issues. While it's mainly for CF patients, some applicants with similar conditions have also been considered.

2. The Patient Advocate Foundation Scholarships: This organization offers a yearly scholarship to students under 25 who are currently undergoing treatment for a chronic illness, or have completed it within the past 5 years. The scholarship amount varies each year.

3. The Cancer for College Scholarships: While this foundation primarily supports cancer survivors, it has been known to support students affected by other severe health conditions.

When applying, be sure to personalize your essays and share your unique experience, as this can make your application stand out. Explaining how dialysis has shaped your perspective, your goals, or even your intended major can skillfully weave in your circumstance as a factor that has, rather than held you back, potentially set you on your chosen path.

Of course, be sure to also apply to merit-based scholarships and utilize your school's financial aid office to discuss other possible offerings. Good luck in your scholarship search!