The Educational Scholarship program is designed to assist those in need to further their education and the opportunities available to them to support their families. This program is available to Alphas and their immediate family members. Scholarship recipients are selected by an Alpha-1 Foundation Scholarship Review Committee.
The deadline to submit a completed application with all attachments is April 1, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
Alpha-1 Educational Scholarships are available to:
- Individuals with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1)
- Immediate family members (spouses, children, and grandchildren) of individuals with Alpha-1
Scholarships can be used for study at an approved institution (i.e., an accredited university, community college or technical institute) for post-high school education and career change/returning adult students.
Applicants must be accepted for study at an approved institution (i.e., an accredited university, community college or technical institute) and must be an incoming freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student planning to attend a community college, college, university or other post-graduate programs.
Funds may be used for tuition, registration and other fees, and books and related materials.
Individuals are only eligible to receive an Alpha-1 Educational Scholarship once. The Alpha-1 Educational Scholarship program is restricted to Alpha-1 patients or direct family members in the United States who are attending or plan to attend schools in the United States.
Award Process
The call for applications is made each year in February and the Alpha-1 Educational Scholarships are awarded in June/July. A scholarship review committee of the Alpha-1 Foundation Board of Directors reviews and selects the scholarship recipients in June. A1F will be announcing the Alpha-1 Educational Scholarships the first week of July. Recipients will be notified via email. If you do not receive an email by July 15th, please feel free to send a follow-up email. Please ensure that we have a current email address on your application.
- Applications accepted: February to March
- Submission Deadline: April 1st
- Application review process: May to June
- Scholarships awarded: June to July
- Recipients notified: By July 15th
For questions regarding Alpha-1 Educational Scholarships, please email scholarships@alpha1.org. Please do not contact our office regarding your application selection status before July 15th.
Note as of July 16, 2024: We are delighted to announce that this year we have received a record number of submissions with 88 applications! Due to an overwhelming response of applications, A1F will be announcing the Alpha-1 Educational Scholarships the first week of August. Recipients will be notified via email. If you do not receive an email by August 15th, please feel free to send a follow-up email. Please ensure that we have a current email address on your application.
Scholarship Applications
Applications
To fill out the 2024 Alpha-1 Educational Scholarships application, click here.
The deadline to submit a completed application with all attachments is April 1, 2024.
Application Requirements and Attachments
Requirements
All Alpha-1 Educational Scholarship applicants must agree to the following to be considered for an award:
- Applicants agree to be added to the mailing list of the Alpha-1 Foundation, which is confidential and never shared with outside organizations, and receive occasional Foundation
- Recipients agree to have their picture and short bio published in the Alpha-1-to-One Magazine for that scholarship year and other potential Alpha-1 Foundation publications, including the Alpha-1 Foundation
- Recipients agree to participate in potential follow up discussions and/or meetings regarding the Alpha-1 community and involvement opportunities with the Alpha-1
- Recipients may be asked to participate in future Alpha-1 Foundation program and/or planning
- Recipients may be asked to raise awareness for Alpha-1 by sharing Alpha-1 Foundation social media
Attachments
Your application must include the following attachments to be considered:
- Completed Alpha-1 Educational Scholarship application
- A copy of the applicant’s ACT/SAT scores, if test was taken. If you do not have ACT/SAT scores, please state.
- A copy of the applicant’s most recent transcripts [can be a clean, clear copy or forwarded by the institution, but must be received before the deadline]
- Most recent high school transcripts for incoming freshmen
- Most recent college transcripts for continuing students
- Documentation of applicant’s high school or college GPA [if it is included on most recent transcripts, it is acceptable]
- A 500-word essay explaining the lessons you have learned from Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) and how it has impacted you as an individual
- High resolution headshot [in jpeg form]
All applicants consent to having their names and photos published and announced, at the Alpha-1 Foundation’s discretion, on the Alpha-1 Foundation website and other publications, including the Alpha-1-to-One magazine. Recipients agree to participate in a focus group and/or survey if requested.
Alpha-1 Educational Scholarships Available
Please note: only one application is necessary to be considered for all available scholarships.
Peter Smith wrote, edited and published Alpha-1 News from 1989 until 1992. Before his early death due to Alpha-1 he was spreading the word to over 1200 households. His efforts encouraged, enlightened and inspired those with Alpha-1 to reach out to one another and to learn. The intent of the Peter Smith Scholarship is to continue this tradition by helping those with Alpha-1 and their families to learn and achieve.
Peter Smith Scholarship awards are between $500 and $2,000.
Bob Haggerty was Treasurer of the Alpha-1 Association for many years as well as master of ceremonies at the National Conference. He loved to joke, always made people laugh and through laughter their problems were diminished, even if just for an evening or a moment.
The Robert J. Haggerty Memorial Scholarship award is $2,500.
Unrestricted educational grants are provided by AlphaNet to fund this scholarship in perpetuity.
John W. Walsh III was the father of John W. Walsh IV, Fred Walsh, Judith Walsh and Susan Ferro. He was a friend and mentor to hundreds of Alphas and a patriarch of the Alpha-1 community. He became well known to Alphas across the country when he made a personal commitment to support his three Alpha-1-affected children in creating awareness and increasing detection of Alpha-1. As a coach and counselor at Melrose High School, he dedicated his life to working with young people. He served two terms as president of the Massachusetts Guidance Counselors Association and later worked in admissions at Merrimack College. Following his retirement, he was a life coach to many, including those with Alpha-1.
The John W. Walsh III Memorial Scholarship award is $2,500.
Unrestricted educational grants are provided by AlphaNet to fund this scholarship in perpetuity.
Terry Young was the first coordinator and general manager of AlphaNet after it was founded in 1995. He guided, fostered, and built the culture of the organization, leading it through many years of development and growth. A lung-affected Alpha who was a transplant recipient, Young battled his own health issues while simultaneously embracing the AlphaNet vision and taking responsibility for its day-to-day operations. He oversaw the transition and enrollment of thousands of Alphas into augmentation therapy programs, providing them with health management services. He insisted that each AlphaNet coordinator stay focused on doing what is best for Alphas and guiding them toward the best quality of life possible. He was an example of how one person’s efforts can make a difference in many lives.
The Terry L. Young Memorial Scholarship award is $2,500.
Unrestricted educational grants are provided by AlphaNet to fund this scholarship in perpetuity.
This scholarship honors the memory of Lou Glenn. Lou was a dedicated caregiver to her daughter who was diagnosed with Alpha-1. She became involved in the community, served as an Association Board member for nine years as well as served as a support group leader in the Atlanta and Dallas areas. An icon in the Alpha-1 Community, she served on various committees and always supported programs for Alphas and represented the voice of caregivers in the community.
The E. Lou Glenn Memorial Scholarship award is $2,500.
Unrestricted educational grants are provided by AlphaNet to fund this scholarship in perpetuity.
James (Jim) Quill was on the Alpha-1 Foundation Board of Directors from 2012-2019. He served as a member and as the vice chair and treasurer. He was a dedicated AlphaNet coordinator for 10 years and retired as the general manager for AlphaNet, in 2018. He was loved and respected by his colleagues and all the Alphas he served. Quill touched the lives of so many and was a cherished friend to all who knew him.
Originally from Levittown, Pennsylvania, Quill spent 35 years giving the gift of education to elementary school students as a classroom teacher, reading specialist and a principal. He was diagnosed with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) in the late 1980s and received a bilateral lung transplant in May 2006. Following his transplant, Quill began his new career as an AlphaNet coordinator and helped people learn more about their health and how to deal with a rare disorder that affected his entire family.
As an educator, Quill enjoyed participating in the Educational Scholarship Committee. He approached each opportunity with great enthusiasm, as he loved helping a young student follow their path.
Two James Quill Memorial Scholarships will be awarded each year, in the amount of $2,500 each.
Unrestricted educational grants are provided by AlphaNet to fund this scholarship in perpetuity.
Donating to the Educational Scholarship Fund
The number of scholarships awarded depends on the generosity of people, corporations and foundations. If you would like to support an educational scholarship by donating, please contact the Alpha-1 Foundation at 1-877-228-7321 ext 233.
