CAN Dream Foundation Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship
Overview and Instructions
Research shows that Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are more prevalent in African American communities and that African Americans are twice as likely to develop these conditions as White Americans. This is not attributed to hereditary genetics. Instead, this increased risk is attributed to the disproportionate number of African Americans who suffer from underlying health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. These conditions are often linked to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Furthermore, there is evidence that misdiagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease are more common amongst older African Americans despite the increased risk and prevalence of this disease in African American communities. In recognition and response to these barriers, Curing Alzheimer’s Now (CAN) Dream Foundation has created a program to increase the awareness of Alzheimer’s disease for students. CAN Dream Foundation’s goals are to:
-
Empower students to be active participants in the Alzheimer’s movement
-
Encourage students to be change agents for Alzheimer’s in their community
-
Increase the pipeline of students into STEM careers or other innovative fields that would positively impact Alzheimer’s disease
-
Cultivate resources to achieve the CAN Dream mission
In an effort to encourage minority high school students to express their thoughts about Alzheimer’s disease and engage the younger generation in this cause, CAN Dream is pleased to offer the CAN Dream Foundation Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship. One (1) $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a deserving college-bound student.
The deadline for applications is April 1. This scholarship provides an excellent opportunity for college-bound students to give thoughtful consideration to the impact that Alzheimer’s disease has on their own lives as well as others in their family and community. Students are required to submit an autobiography and write a 1,200 to 1,500 word essay that answers the following questions:
-
How has Alzheimer’s disease changed or impacted your life?
-
What have you learned about yourself, your family, and/or your community in the face of coping with Alzheimer’s disease?
To qualify, a student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and must also enter a four-year accredited college or university within 12 months of the application deadline. Current college students are NOT eligible to apply. A Scholarship Review Committee selected by CAN Dream will review all timely submissions. Applicant identity will remain anonymous during the review process. Incomplete applications will NOT be considered.
CAN Dream Foundation will award one (1), one-time $1,000 scholarship to the selected applicant. CAN Dream Foundation will announce the scholarship recipient on June 1. CAN Dream Foundation will require the award recipient to provide their social security number, their official high-school transcript, and proof of U.S. citizenship via passport or birth certificate (a driver’s license will not be accepted as proof of U.S. citizenship). An applicant must fulfill all these requirements to be named as the scholarship recipient and to receive the scholarship. CAN Dream Foundation will provide the scholarship payment to the recipient upon receipt of official documentation of registration from the college or university that they are attending in the following fall or spring semester (e.g., sending a letter with proof of first semester’s payment from the registrar’s office). Should the scholarship recipient fail to attend a college or university within the stated time-period, the scholarship will be awarded to the first runner-up.
In an effort to inspire others, the winner and first runner-up will agree to:
-
Have their names and essays published on the CAN Dream Foundation website
-
Provide CAN Dream Foundation with a photo to be used for media and publicity purposes
-
Be available for interviews with the media if/when necessary
CAN Dream will retain the right to publish the essays of the winner and first runner-up as well as the right to publish selected excerpts in the media. Non-compliance with any of these requirements will result in forfeiture of the award. The decision of the Scholarship Review Committee is final.
Apply for the Scholarship Program
Please download and complete the application form if you are interested in our scholarship program. Applications submitted via email must be sent to contactus@candream.org by 11:59 PM on April 1. Applications submitted via mail must be postmarked by April 1 to the following address: CAN Dream Foundation 2657-G Annapolis Rd. Suite 108 Hanover, MD 21076.
APPLY ONLINE
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED
In an effort to inspire others, the winner and first runner-up will agree to:
-
Have their names and essays published on our website
-
Provide CAN Dream Foundation with a photo to be used for media and publicity purposes
-
Be available for interviews with the media if/when necessary
CAN Dream will retain the right to publish the essays of the winner and first runner-up as well as the right to publish selected excerpts in the media. Non-compliance with any of these requirements will result in forfeiture of the award. The decision of the Scholarship Review Committee is final.
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Applicant's Name:
FAMILY INFORMATION
Parent / Guardian #1
Parent / Guardian #2
CITIZENSHIP INFORMATION
An Applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. Scholarship recipient will be required to provide documentation verifying U.S. citizenship prior to processing payment.
CURRENT HIGH SCHOOL
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY ENTRY INFORMATION
Note: Winners will be required to provide proof of college/university enrollment prior to processing payment.
UPLOAD DOCUMENTS
“The following documentation must be included with this application (please review the scholarship overview and instructions section as well as the checklist for additional guidelines)
-
1 copy of your scholarship application
-
1 copy of typewritten essay with title page attached including essay title, word count, name and address
-
1 copy of typewritten essay WITHOUT title page (not required of online applicants)
-
1 copy of brief, typewritten autobiography
Thank you. Your application has been successfully submitted.
