They are awarded based on financial need, scholarship, community service and leadership. The program was started in 1992 to help families whose college savings have been depleted because of the cost of caring for a child with cancer.
Priority is given to renewing scholarships for students currently enrolled.
Fourty-five of this year's recipients are new students. The American Cancer Society Florida Division was named scholarship provider of the year by the National Scholarship Providers Association in December. To be eligible, a student must have a history of cancer, be a Florida resident, a U.S. citizen and under 21 at the time of diagnosis. The student must plan to attend an accredited Florida university or community college. Applications for the 2002-2003 school year are due April 10.