DEADLINE

APRIL 1 | 2024

7:00PM

Has cancer affected your life?
Are you enrolled in a higher education program?

Are you a cancer survivor?
Have you helped a family member or friend deal with cancer?
Have you lost someone to cancer?

Every cancer experience deserves to be heard!

Open to students of all ages who are seeking higher education.  Entries should be high school seniors, college students, trade school / certificate program students or graduate students with a cancer connection.  Must be a member of CSCGP or sponsored by a member.  This education grant is graciously sponsored by the Ben Strauss Youth Program.

Write an essay sharing your story what you learned from your cancer experience, how you grew, and / or how cancer impacted your sense of community and family.

Please refer to the guidelines below for eligibility, rules and the judging process. 

COMPLETE DIGITAL ENTRY FORM

Contest Prizes

1st Place: Ben Strauss Higher Education Grant

$1500

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2nd Place: Ben Strauss Education Grant

$500

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3rd Place: Ben Strauss Education Grant

$250

Contest Guidelines

Eligibility

  • Applicants must have a cancer connection.
  • Open to students of all ages (traditional and nontraditional students) who are seeking to further their education.  Must be a high school senior, college student, trade school student, certificate program student, or graduate student with a cancer connection to CSCGP.
  • Entries must either be a member of CSCGP or be sponsored by a member of CSCGP.

Entry Rules

  • Each individual may submit only one original essay.
  • Essay should include, your cancer story, your involvement with CSCGP and how your involvement with CSCGP supported your cancer journey.
  • Digital Photo required.
  • Essay must not exceed 1600 words.
  • Include essay title at the top of each page.
  • Do NOT include name on the essay.

Winning Essays/Awards Ceremony

  • Winners will be informed on Wednesday, April 24, 2024
  • Winner’s school will be notified of the scholarship.
  • Grants will be awarded during a reception on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 7:00pm.  All writers are invited to attend Awards ceremony.  CSCGP Gilda’s Club, 200 Kirk Rd. Warminster PA 18974

Essay Deadline

  • Digital entry form, essay and photo must be submitted to Christina@cancersupportphiladelphia.org by 7pm on Wednesday, April 1, 2024.
  • Essays must be emailed as a word document.
  • Photos must be a jpeg file.
  • After all 3 pieces are submitted, an acceptance email will be sent confirming your submission and that you met the guidelines.
  • Late entries will not be accepted.

Judging Process

Essays are evaluated in a fair and unbiased judging process. Submissions are judged by a group of CSCGP members, volunteers, staff and community leaders.  Judges will be looking at personal voice, content, clarity, style and impression.

  • Personal voice: Judges will be looking for an interesting engaging essay told in your own words. The essay should describe your experience and an overall message about how your experience with cancer impacted your life.
  • Clarity and Style: Judges will look for a clear and consistent focus in your writing and a logical progression of ideas. Good grammar, accurate word choices, correct punctuation, and varying sentence structure should be used.

All essays and photos will be posted on CSCGP website, social media and used in CSCGP programs and fundraisers.

 The Ben Strauss Education Grant is graciously sponsored by the Ben Strauss Youth Program.