Best Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis scholarships – UPDATED 2020

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic conditions that can make the challenge of attending and paying for college more difficult. Fortunately, scholarships are available specifically to help students who have inflammatory bowel disease.

Funding is also available for students who want to study topics related to IBD, regardless of whether they have one of the conditions themselves.

Several organizations make such educational funding available. Some will only provide a small cash boost, while others will pay a larger portion of your educational expenses.

In some cases, the financial support is provided by foundations dealing with the cause, and in other cases it is given by research centers.

Options include:

• Crohn’s & Colitis Foundations of America (CCFA) Student Research Fellowship Awards
• AbbVie Immunology Scholarship
• UCB, Inc. Scholarship
• Intense Intestines Foundation Scholarship
• Patient Advocate Foundation Scholarship

Keep in mind that other qualifying criteria must still be met, and that your condition will not automatically give you access to educational funding.

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) Student Research Fellowship Awards

This funding is awarded for full-time research conducted alongside a mentor investigating a subject related to IBD. Eligible candidates are undergraduate, medical or graduate students (not yet participating in thesis research) in the U.S. who are studying in health or medical sciences fields. The average amount awarded is $2,500. Eleven such awards were handed out last year, for a total of $27,500.

The next deadline is March 15, 2021.

For more information, click here or call 646-943-7505.

Abbvie Scholarships

An exceptional student suffering from inflammatory disease can potentially qualify for the AbbVie Immunology Scholarship, which will aid you financially in pursuit of education. Scholarship America administrates the scholarship and has a non-discriminatory approach. The AbbVie scholarship is one of the highest paying scholarships available to potential students.

Scholarship amount: Maximum of $15,000 (depends on degree)

To be eligible for this scholarship you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a citizen of the United States, or have permanent legal residency in the U.S.
• Have an inflammatory disease as diagnosed by a medical professional
• Currently attend or be enrolling with an accredited U.S. educational institution for the subsequent academic period.

An evaluation of each applicant will take place, in addition to the requirements above. The evaluation will consider both academic excellence and the positive impact a applicant has on the immunology community.

Qualifying inflammatory conditions include:

• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
• Crohn’s disease (CD)
• Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)
• Psoriasis (Ps)
• Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Ulcerative colitis (UC)
• Uveitis (UV)

To find out more about the Abbvie Scholarship you can phone 1-507-931-0651 or send an email to AbbVieImmunology@scholarshipamerica.org.

Intense Intestines Foundation

Individuals struggling with gut diseases can seek financial aid from the Intense Intestines Foundation. You must be an American citizen and have been diagnosed with an inflammatory bowel disease to qualify for the scholarship. The funding provided is small but can still be useful in many circumstances.

Amount: $500

More information can be found at www.intenseintestines.org.

Patient Advocate Foundation

The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) understands the daily financial battle of living with a chronic condition. More than $566,000 has been awarded to worthy sufferers in the pursuit of furthering education. A meritorious learner, who participates in the community, has good academic standing and dreams of additional education can approach PAF for a scholarship.

Amount: $3,000 per year

The scholarship will be given for a maximum of four consecutive years if all qualifying criteria are met by the student. In total, the scholarship can be valued at a maximum of $12,000. The following conditions must be adhered to:

• Full time student
• Cumulative G.P.A of 3.0
• Scholarship Acceptance Form fully completed
• Agree to media campaign including bio and photo for publication
• Signed agreement for 20 hours community service every year

There are different eligibility requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate courses but in general the following requirements are identified:

• Diagnosed/ treated for inflammatory disease in past five years
• Studying Associate degree or more advanced
• Submit current student record or acceptance letters

Additional information and documentation must also be submitted to PAF to demonstrate your suitability to the scholarship. Medical information and physician information form part of the application process.

Call 800-532-5274 to speak to a PAF representative and to obtain further scholarship information.

Ulcerative Colitis Foundation of America Scholarship

The foundation awards one scholarship every year. The application must be completed online and submitted with supporting documentation.

Amount: Maximum of $500

You need to meet the following requirements:

• Confirmed ulcerative colitis diagnoses
• GPA of minimum 2.5
• Enrolled at or accepted to accredited institution

Your doctor must providing supporting information and you will need to complete an essay with your submission. Any questions can be sent to nicoled.ucfa@gmail.com.

Living with Crohn’s or UC does not have to define your life. Take charge of your future and apply for a scholarship to help fund your future studies. Furthering your education provides you with a myriad of opportunities and the chance to one day help someone in the same condition.

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