R.O.C.K (Reaching out to Cancer Kids) Scholarship

For many young adults who have survived cancer the reality of a college education may seem out of reach due to the financial strain of paying medical bills. To encourage young cancer survivors to pursue their goals and to reduce additional financial stress the American Cancer Society funds several regional college scholarship programs.

Residents in Florida who have had a diagnosis of cancer may be eligible for the American Cancer Society's R.O.C.K (Reaching out to Cancer Kids) Scholarship. This program provides assistance to earn undergraduate degrees in any accredited postsecondary institution in the state of Florida. Eligible students must legal Florida residents and under 21 years of age when they apply for an R.O.C.K. college scholarship; thus, the cancer diagnosis must have been made before the applicant's 21st birthday. Interested and qualified students will need to submit the following items: a financial aid form, their family's most recent 1040 IRS form, a transcript, SAT and/or ACT scores, three reference letters, and an essay stating their goals. One of the reference letters must be from the applicant's physician and another from a teacher.

Recipients of R.O.C.K. college scholarships are selected based on a combination of factors including academic achievement, financial need, and service to the community. The value of the scholarship is, at the most, $3,000 for each year of undergraduate study; however, the scholarship is only awarded for up to five years, or no more than 130 credit hours if completed in fewer than five years. Renewal of the scholarship after the freshman year is dependant upon a minimum GPA of 2.0 and after each subsequent year a 2.5, plus 10 hours of volunteer time with the American Cancer Society each year.

To obtain more information about various American Cancer Society regional college scholarships or to request an application packet, call (800-444-1410).