Scholarships for college, university, or vocational training empower survivors to rebuild their lives and pursue their academic goals, so they can live the lives they dream of, beyond cancer.
Accessing post-secondary education can be challenging for childhood cancer survivors. This is greatly due to the long-term impact on their families’ finances following their treatment and high tuition fees.
In Canada, an average of 1,000 children will battle cancer each year and many of their families experience considerable financial hardship. This means that survivors of childhood cancer may be more likely to have financial challenges later in life.
A cancer diagnosis during childhood disrupts months or years of learning as children are often too sick from treatment to attend school or are immunocompromised. Some children have to overcome extraordinary challenges in recovery and then struggle to catch up on their learning, graduate high school, and pursue a post-secondary education like others their age.
Goal of the Survivor Scholarship Program:
Thanks to generous donations from CIBC Foundation, survivors of childhood cancer are able to receive financial help pursuing their academic dreams through Childhood Cancer Canada. To date, more than 2,000 survivors have been awarded a Survivor Scholarship going towards their post-secondary education—that adds up to more than $2.6 million awarded in scholarships since 2000!
About the Survivor Scholarship Program:
The Childhood Cancer Canada Scholarship Fund is open to young adult cancer survivors. Survivor Scholarships recognize the personal triumphs of students who have survived childhood cancer and support their post-secondary academic aspirations.
Through the support of donors and partners like CIBC Foundation, Coinamatic, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Teva Canada, successful student applicants will receive a one-time grant of up to $5,000 to support their post-secondary expenses.
On average, Childhood Cancer Canada receives 160 applications annually. Applications are reviewed from May to July, and successful applicants are notified in August. Scholarships are awarded in early October following the receipt of the student’s enrollment confirmation.
Eligibility Requirements for 2024–2025 Survivor Scholarships:
You are eligible to apply if you:
You are ineligible to receive a scholarship if you are a temporary resident, international or part-time student.
500 words or less; your opportunity to thank our donors directly!
A cheque will be mailed to the address you submit on your application in October.
As a scholarship recipient, you will be issued a tax receipt mailing address- scholarship is a taxable event – please discuss with your accountant.
You can defer your scholarship for one year- request must be in writing and sent to [email protected]
You will need to defer your scholarship until the next cycle so that your student status is full time in the fall.
No, however consideration will be given if accommodations are a part of your academic plan due to health.
Yes, you may still be able to apply however, we will need a letter from your current Canadian doctor or health provider confirming that you were diagnosed with a childhood cancer on or prior to your 18th birthday.
No, however consideration will be given to personal circumstances, health status etc.
No, you must be attending a Canadian or US school.
