In order to lessen the financial burden on students in the CF community and keep focus on school, BEF will be awarding 20 students $10,000 scholarships each year, with the opportunity for more financial aid. The BEF Scholarship committee considers the applicant’s scholastic ability, character, leadership potential, service to the community and need for financial assistance.
During the application process, students will be given the option to write a long-form essay answering a specific question pertaining to a scholarship designation. Completing the essay automatically enters the student into the pool of candidates who will be considered for additional financial assistance.
The designations are: Bonnie Strangio Memorial – Bonnie Strangio Memorial will be awarded to a student, like Bonnie, who has an upbeat personality and “can-do” attitude, and shows a tremendous passion for life in achieving their goals despite battling CF. Bonnie loved life and everything in it. She appreciated family, friends, and people in general.
Rosemary Quigley Memorial – Rosemary Quigley Memorial will be awarded to a student who refuses to allow cystic fibrosis to hold them back. A student who has a passion for academics and an interest in the medical field and or in health policy and law, similar to that of Rosemary’s interests.
Jerry Cahill You Cannot Fail Distinction – The Jerry Cahill designation will be awarded to someone who is on a path to discover their own heroism, embrace the ups and downs of their life’s journey, make a difference by sharing that journey with others, and celebrate the stories that make them unique.
Lea Faraone Memorial – Lea loved travel and was an advocate for the cystic fibrosis community. With the Lea Faraone Memorial we want to celebrate people living with cystic fibrosis who are willing to live their lives on their own terms!
Team Boomer Distinction – The Team Boomer Distinction will be awarded to a student who values the importance of exercise with CF and participates in athletics.
Exemplary Graduate Student Distinction – Designed to support students with cystic fibrosis studying at the graduate level, applicants should be well-rounded and have a will to learn and achieve at the highest possible standard. Lastly, we hope applicants are open with their disease and willing to discuss it with the people around them.
Requirements
The BEF Scholarship Program committee considers the applicant’s scholastic ability, character, leadership potential, service to the community and need for financial assistance. Once candidates have been selected as semi-finalists, they will be granted a phone interview with a committee member.
Applicants are required to provide all of the following documents in order to be considered:
Application
Letter from physician (on letterhead) confirming CF diagnosis and therapy routine
Transcript (high school, college and/or graduate school)
Detailed breakdown of tuition costs from academic institution (for perspective freshman ONLY)
W2 form for both parents OR tax return if self-employed