ERC Cancer Scholarship

About this scholarship

The Environmental Research Center’s ERC Cancer Scholarship provides up to $1,000 to high school seniors and current college students who have previously received or are currently living with a cancer diagnosis. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no stated submission deadline, and the official program page contains the electronic application form. Eligible students must be U.S. citizens and must either reside in California or have been accepted to an accredited two-year or four-year higher-education institution in California. The award may help cover necessary educational expenses, including tuition, university fees, books, supplies, living expenses, and special project costs. A complete application includes at least two recommendation letters, with at least one personal reference from someone outside the applicant’s family; a high school transcript; an institutional acceptance letter or unofficial college transcript; a doctor’s written verification of the cancer diagnosis; and a personal synopsis describing the applicant’s path to recovery. Supporting uploads must use DOC, DOCX, or PDF format as instructed on the page. Recipients must submit a short report of up to one page within six months after the scholarship is distributed so the committee can learn about their academic activities and accomplishments.

Eligibility

• Be a citizen of the United States
• Have a current or previous cancer diagnosis that can be verified by a doctor
• Be accepted to or enrolled at an accredited two-year or four-year higher-education institution
• Reside in California or attend an eligible higher-education institution in California
• Submit at least two recommendation letters, including one non-family personal reference
• Provide a high school transcript and an acceptance letter or unofficial college transcript
• Submit a personal synopsis describing the path to recovery
• If selected, provide a short progress report within six months after award distribution