The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), a national nonprofit organization, has established a college scholarship to encourage teens to express their thoughts about Alzheimer’s disease and to engage the younger generation in this cause.

Many families are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and teenagers as well are becoming aware of this heartbreaking brain disease from personal experiences in their own families, watching friends and neighbors, or involvement in community service.

The student is asked to give consideration to the impact Alzheimer’s disease has on their own lives and others in their family and community. Students are required to submit an autobiography (maximum 200 words or less) and write a 1,200 to 1,500 word essay that answers the following questions:

• How has Alzheimer’s disease changed or impacted your life?
• What have you learned about yourself, your family and/or your community in the face of coping with Alzheimer’s disease?

To qualify, students must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and must also enter a four-year accredited college or university within 12 months of the application deadline.

The annual $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to one deserving college-bound student, and $500 and $250 scholarships awarded to the first and second runners-up, respectively.

Eligibility:

• United States citizenship or permanent residency
• Plan to enter an accredited four-year college/university within 12 months of the scholarship deadline
• Be currently enrolled in a public, independent, parochial, military, home-school or other high school in the United States (if not currently enrolled, please explain extenuating circumstances)
• Submit all required materials by the application deadline

In order to be named winner or runners-up and to process the scholarship award, the winner and runners-up will be required to supply his or her Social Security number, and submit proof of high school enrollment (i.e., official transcript) and U.S. citizenship (passport, birth certificate; driver’s license is not acceptable); and he or she subsequently must provide official documentation of registration from the college/university that he or she is attending in the following fall or spring in order to receive the scholarship monies.

Check out other essay contests for which you may be eligible.

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