Kelly Scholarship Gives Those with CF Choices Besides Bachelor’s Degree

College is expensive. And when the cost of tuition comes on top of the cost of living with cystic fibrosis, furthering your education can seem daunting.

When I was searching for undergraduate scholarships, I was surprised to learn about the number of CF-specific opportunities out there. Many are available only to students pursuing bachelor’s degrees, but one United States Adult CF Association (USACFA) scholarship covers associate degrees and professional certificates in addition to bachelor’s programs.

The Lauren Melissa Kelly Scholarship honors a University of Georgia student who excelled in both the classroom and as a leader before cystic fibrosis took her life late in her senior year in 1992. She was a member of the academic organizations Golden Key Honor Society, Mortar Board, Phi Upsilon Omicron, Gamma Beta Phi, and the Tate Society. And she was named one of the university’s 10 Senior Leaders.

In recognition of her academic performance, the university awarded her a bachelor’s degree posthumously.

CF is tough. It has affected how I see the world and go about my day. An ability to match my personal experiences with education would be empowering. The more people with a rare disease we can get into university classrooms, the more momentum we can build to try to influence those in policy and research.

If you have cystic fibrosis, are a good student and are interested in college, consider applying for the Kelly scholarship.

The scholarship application website notes that an applicant:

• Must be a US citizen over the age of 18.
• Must have a been diagnosed with CF.
• Must be pursuing an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or professional certificate.
• Must not be an immediate family member of someone on the USACFA board.

The deadline to apply for the scholarship is Friday, June 30. Please visit this website for more information on requirements and how to submit an application. Direct any questions you have to: [email protected].

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