Mary E. Smith Foundation Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Mary E. Smith Foundation
Overview — AIM HIGH Scholarships
MESF's AIM HIGH initiative provides academic scholarships and financial support to students and adult learners affected by brain tumors. Since incorporation in 2008, the foundation has awarded more than $185,000 to deserving recipients. Programs include national and local scholarships, targeted awards, and financial assistance for medical screening and related needs. Information and applications are published seasonally and are available only during active application periods.
Description: A portfolio of scholarships and grants for high school, college, medical school students and adult learners impacted by brain tumors, either as patients/survivors or close relatives.
History of the Award: The foundation has distributed over $185,000 in awards since 2008 and continues to expand focused awards and local initiatives.
- Supports educational advancement for those affected by brain tumors.
- Includes both one-time scholarships and needs-based medical assistance grants.
- Funding and application links are active only during designated award periods.
National Excellence in Academics & Community Service Award
This annual one-time scholarship recognizes academic achievement and community service among students affected by brain tumors. Awards are limited to one or two recipients each year and are intended to offset tuition, books, living expenses, or other educational costs. The award is available to U.S. residents enrolled in or entering an advanced educational program at accredited institutions within the fifty states or the District of Columbia. Payment is made either directly to the school for tuition or to the recipient to assist with qualified educational expenses.
Description: One-time scholarship for candidates with a direct brain tumor diagnosis or those closely related to a person diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. residents and be the patient/survivor or a spouse, biological child, biological parent, or biological sibling of a person diagnosed with a brain tumor. Candidates must be entering or currently enrolled in an advanced educational program.
Award Value: Up to $2,500 paid to the student’s school for tuition or directly to the recipient for qualified education-related expenses.
- 1–2 recipients annually.
- Open to U.S. residents enrolled in advanced educational programs.
- Awards are paid to the institution or recipient depending on the intended use.
National Excellence in Science & Medicine Award
This award supports students pursuing health sciences with a stated intention to enter oncology or neurology-related fields. It targets candidates who are entering or currently enrolled in health science programs (for example, biology, chemistry, nursing) at accredited colleges or four-year universities in the U.S. and District of Columbia. The scholarship is designed to assist with tuition, books, living expenses, travel, or other education-related costs and is disbursed either to the institution or to the recipient with appropriate documentation.
Description: One-time scholarship for students preparing for careers in oncology or neurology-related fields.
Eligibility: U.S. residents enrolled in or entering a health sciences program with intent to pursue oncology or neurology (including neuroscience, neurosurgery, neuropathology).
Award Value: Up to $2,500, payable to the school for tuition or directly to the recipient for education-related expenses.
- Emphasis on careers in oncology and neurology.
- Open to candidates at colleges and four-year universities in the U.S. and D.C.
- Funds may be applied to tuition or other documented educational costs.
CHICAGO — Karen Lewis CTU-CPS Excellence in Science Award
Established in honor of CTU President Karen Lewis, this Chicago-only scholarship supports Chicago Public School (CPS) graduates and current CPS students pursuing health science education. Depending on available funds, one to four awards may be granted annually. Eligible study pathways include technical certifications, associate or bachelor-level degrees, and coursework emphasizing science, screening, or research in oncology or neurology. Award funds are disbursed to the student’s school for tuition or directly to recipients for qualifying education expenses.
Description: One-time scholarship for CPS students focused on health sciences, screening, or research related to oncology or neurology.
Eligibility: Current CPS students or CPS graduates entering or enrolled in technical certification, associate, or bachelor-level health science programs. Selection of 1–4 recipients is subject to available funding.
Award Value: Up to $2,500 per recipient, payable to the school or to the recipient for approved educational expenses.
- Reserved for Chicago Public School students and graduates.
- Supports certificate and degree pathways in health sciences.
- Number of recipients depends on available funds each year.
#GIVING TUESDAY Award
The #GIVING TUESDAY Award is a smaller book scholarship awarded to a previously submitted scholarship applicant. The board selects one or more recipients on Giving Tuesday to support students pursuing or planning to pursue careers within health sciences. Enrollment verification is required for award disbursement. Funds are intended specifically for textbooks and are disbursed either to the student’s school or directly to the recipient with acceptable documentation of textbook fees.
Description: A book scholarship awarded on Giving Tuesday to prior applicants to support textbook costs.
Eligibility: Prior applicants to MESF scholarships who are pursuing or planning to pursue a career in health sciences; enrollment verification is required.
Award Value: $200–$500, payable to the institution or to the recipient with documentation of textbook costs.
- Selected from previous scholarship applicants.
- Intended for textbook expenses only.
- Selection occurs on Giving Tuesday and is contingent on available funds.
Medical Screening / Financial Assistance Grant (A Husband’s Hope)
The Medical Screening/Financial Assistance Grant, also known as “A Husband’s Hope,” provides immediate financial support for diagnostic imaging and related expenses for brain tumor patients and their families. Funding can offset MRI and CT scan costs and other diagnostic services at any point in the diagnosis or treatment process. Grants are provided on a first-come, first-served basis and depend on available funds. Requests are reviewed by an internal grant committee and approved by the Board of Directors; approved funds are made available promptly.
Description: Needs-based financial assistance to cover MRI/CT scanning and related diagnostic costs for brain tumor patients and families.
Eligibility: The patient/survivor or a financially bound relative limited to spouse, children, parents, or siblings; all applications must include proof of brain tumor diagnosis and documentation of financial hardship.
Award Frequency: One-time monetary assistance awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to U.S. residents; maximum award up to $2,500.
Note: Funds are distributed when available and are payable to the patient or parent/guardian. Application links are active only when funds are available.
- Supports diagnostic imaging (MRI/CT) and immediate financial needs.
- Requires medical proof of diagnosis and documentation of hardship.
- Maximum award up to $2,500; availability varies by funding.
Application Timeline and Recipient Events
Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year become available by October 1, 2026, and the general application deadline falls in February. Recipients for the 2027 cycle will be notified in March 2027, and winning applicants will be listed on the foundation website in May 2027. Local winners should expect to participate in the Annual Scholarship Gala in spring (April or May) and the Annual Brain Tumor Awareness Fun Run/Walk ceremony in June or July. Online application links and downloadable forms are active only during the scholarship period or when funds are available.
- Applications open: October 1, 2026 (for 2026–2027 cycle).
- Application deadline: February (completed applications must be submitted or postmarked by that date).
- Recipient notifications: March 2027; winners listed online in May 2027.
- Local recipient events: Annual Scholarship Gala (spring) and Fun Run/Walk (summer).