Scholarships for Students with Asthma and Allergies

Win Cash for College

Asthma affects more than 25 million people in the United States alone. Approximately 1 in 10 children, and 1 in 12 adults, are diagnosed with chronic asthma every year. Americans with allergies, whether they’re allergic to pollen, pet hair or peanuts, number more than 50 million. These chronic conditions can have a definite impact on the lives of those that suffer from them. Young people in particular can be hard hit by the recurring symptoms of asthma, as well as the unexpected attacks of allergies.

Students often find that their allergies and asthma symptoms make it difficult to fully engage with their schoolwork, making it hard to concentrate or complete class exercises. Too often students suffering from these chronic conditions become frustrated, and lose interest in pursuing their education beyond high school. Combine that frustration with the financial burden of paying for college, and many students decide against a post-secondary education. But there are a number of organizations that work hard to promote the scholastic well being of people suffering with these chronic respiratory conditions.

Corporations and advocacy groups routinely sponsor scholarships designed to encourage and support college-bound students with chronic asthma and severe allergies. Through these scholarship programs they hope to encourage more students to pursue a college education, and to achieve their full potential.

Sponsors of Scholarships for Students with Asthma and Allergies

Scholarships for students with asthma and allergies are typically supported by two major sources. Professional associations and/or advocacy groups that work to raise awareness and improve the lives of people with chronic respiratory conditions often sponsor annual scholarships for promising students. Drug manufacturers are also a prominent source of valuable scholarships, and often sponsor scholarship programs for students with asthma and allergies as a way of giving back to the community.

Students suffering with either asthma or severe allergies should begin their scholarship search by looking for local and national organizations that are involved in researching and raising awareness for these conditions. They should also look to corporations closely allied with the manufacturing and distribution of the medicines that bring relief to so many sufferers of these chronic respiratory conditions.

General Scholarships for Students with Asthma and Allergies

A variety of general scholarships are available for students with allergies and asthma. These scholarships provide funds to help offset the costs of a college education, and are open to all students regardless of major. The one prerequisite for all of these programs, is that applicants must be able to document a history of chronic asthma or allergies through medical records and physician reports.

The following general scholarships are typical of the types of financial aid opportunities that are available to college-bound students with chronic asthma or severe allergies.

• The Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Associates of Tampa Bay offer an annual scholarship for high school seniors with chronic respiratory conditions. Applicants must be a current patient of the AAIA practice, and must be enrolled, or preparing to enroll, in a Florida state college or university. Applicants are required to submit a letter of recommendation, their high school transcript, and an essay on a provided topic.
• Visine, a leading manufacturer of sterile eye drops, sponsors the Visine Students With Vision Scholarship for highly motivated college-bound students with sever eye allergies. Applicants must have a history of academic excellence and community service.
• Colorado Asthma and Allergy Centers P.C. offers their Founder’s Award Scholarship. Four $1000 annual scholarships are awarded to academically high performing students who are current patients of the CAAC clinic. The program is open to high school seniors, college undergraduates and graduate students.

Students with chronic asthma or allergies who are looking for scholarships or grants to help pay for college may find that the best source of information on available programs starts with their primary care physician. Asthma and allergy sufferers should contact their healthcare providers for further information on scholarships supported by pharmaceutical companies, advocacy groups and professional associations. As illustrated by some of the above examples, students may find that scholarships and grants are available through the very clinic or medical practice that they rely on for care.

Asthma, allergies, and other chronic respiratory conditions should not impede a students ability to achieve a college education. The scholarships mentioned here, as well as many others, are designed to assure that students suffering from chronic respiratory disorders have the opportunity to make their post-secondary educational dreams a reality.