United States Adult Cystic Fibrosis Association (USACFA): Higher Education Scholarship Grant

United States Adult Cystic Fibrosis Association (USACFA): Higher Education Scholarship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: United States Adult Cystic Fibrosis Association (USACFA)
Amount: Up to US $2,500
Last Updated: July 19, 2025

Summary

The United States Adult Cystic Fibrosis Association (USACFA) offers a Higher Education Scholarship, honoring Lauren Melissa Kelly. This scholarship awards up to $2500 to two adults with cystic fibrosis pursuing various educational paths. Applicants must show proof of enrollment for the relevant academic year and can cover education-related costs, including tuition and materials. This initiative not only supports education but also commemorates Lauren's legacy, inspiring others to pursue their dreams despite challenges.

Overview

Higher Education scholarship CF Roundtable offers the Higher Education Scholarship award every summer for the upcoming school calendar year, in memory of Lauren Melissa Kelly. The academic scholarships of up to $2500 are awarded to two adults with cystic fibrosis who are pursuing career certifications, associates, and bachelor and graduate degrees. Please see below for the Higher Education Scholarship Criteria. Nancy Wech, Lauren’s mother, established this scholarship in Lauren’s name and memory. In Nancy’s own words: Lauren Melissa Kelly was an extraordinary woman. Laughing, gregarious, spontaneous, fun, talkative, driven, thoughtful, smart, kind and loving — all descriptive terms for Lauren, who lost her battle with CF late in her senior year at the University of Georgia. In 1992, Lauren was chosen as one of ten Senior Leaders at University of Georgia. She had distinguished herself as a member of the Golden Key Honor Society, Mortar Board, Phi Upsilon Omicron, Gamma Beta Phi, the Tate Society and Delta Gamma sorority. Lauren felt the most significant opportunities of her college career included participation in the reconstruction and formation of organizations, which will serve the university in the future. She acted as one of the re-founding members of the Phi Kappa Literary Society and was significant in the metamorphosis of the Z Club into the William Tate Society. Her other activities included Greeks Advocating Mature Management of Alcohol (GAMMA) in which she served as Secretary and Special Events Chair. She was also a member of the Women’s Glee Club for more than two years. In recognition of her academic performance, Lauren’s degree of Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences was awarded posthumously. At the time of her death, Lauren was engaged to be married and living off campus in an apartment. She lived life to the fullest! Walt Disney said, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. It’s not the days in life you remember, it’s the moments.” As Lauren’s mother stated, “I smile because she happened to me. Now, I want you to smile because she has happened to you.”

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Scholarship requirementsApplicants must provide proof of enrollment for the academic year their application is targeting. For example, applicants for the Academic Year 2025-2026 cycle must demonstrate that they will be enrolled for the Fall 2025 term.Applicants do not need to be actively enrolled in a degree program when applying—but must be enrolled for the time period covered by award disbursements. Winners who are enrolled full-time for the disbursement period will receive 100% of the listed award amount. Those who are enrolled half-time for the disbursement period will receive 50% of the listed award amount.Two scholarships are given out for each portfolio each year. In the case of a tie for second place, decisions will be made based on evidence of financial need articulated in applicant essays.These scholarships can cover any education-related costs paid through that office. This may include tuition, fees, materials, etc. depending on each awardee’s school and program.

Ineligibility

Applicants may not apply to both the Arts and Higher Education scholarship mechanisms within the same cycle.Each person can only win the same scholarship once during the course of their education. However, a single person can win the Arts scholarship in one cycle and the Higher Education scholarship in another.