For most folks, eating is one of life’s great pleasures. We all have our favorites — who doesn’t love pizza, for example? Unfortunately, some people can’t join in the gluttony because of allergies or medical conditions, such as Crohn’s disease.
Luckily, college scholarships can be served two ways. There are awards for people who promote eating certain foods and awards for people who must avoid specific dishes or ingredients. Here are some of the specials from both menus.
[Explore resources and tips on finding college scholarships.]
The Vegetarian Resource Group awards $20,000 annually to high school seniors who push a vegetarian agenda, whether in their schools or their communities. As part of the scholarship application, students must write an essay about their commitment to the cause of forgoing meat, fish or fowl, including food and restaurant recommendations for nonvegetarians. Applicants could win one $10,000 scholarship and one of two $5,000 awards.
Applications are due Feb. 20, and applicants are judged on how they demonstrated courage, strength and compassion through vegetarianism.
On a state basis, the University of Hawaii–Manoa also rewards vegetarians pursuing certification as registered dietitians with its Vegetarian-Roth Fund Award. Current full- and part-time students at the university may apply, although preference is given to graduate students.
Applications must include a profile, letter of nomination and transcripts. The number and amount of the awards vary based on the number of applications. Applications — including the due date — will be available later this fall.
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While these two scholarships reward students for their food preferences, others must avoid certain foods because of allergies and disorders.
People with diabetes, for example, must watch the amount of sugar and carbohydrates they consume. Exercise, diet and medication can help harness the problems. But this — and other conditions — can create their own challenges, and some organizations offer scholarships for people who suffer from the disorder.
The Diabetes Scholars Foundation administers a number of scholarships for high school seniors who have Type 1 diabetes. Applicants must be U.S. citizens who plan to attend an accredited four-year college or a technical or trade school. These awards include The Lilly Diabetes Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholarship, which in 2017 provided 21 scholarships totaling $90,000; four $5,000 Novo Nordisk Scholarships; four $5,000 Type 1 for 68 Years So Far Scholarships; two $5,000 Sanofi Scholarships; two $5,000 Jay Franke Scholarships for students pursuing an arts degree; and a $5,000 JDRF Rising Star Scholarship.
The current application cycle is closed, but check the website for updates on the 2018 applications.
Beyond diabetes, people may have allergies to such staples as milk, eggs, wheat, nuts and shellfish. A number of allergy/asthma clinics around the country offer local scholarships.
In Houston, for example, the Allergy & ENT Associates Scholarship Program awards up to four $2,000 scholarships to students who are patients of the practice. Entrants must submit three letters of support and write an essay on how their allergy or asthma has affected them.
The deadline for 2017 has passed, but keep an eye on the website for information about the 2018 program and deadline. If you don’t live in the Houston area, be sure to check your local allergy/asthma clinics for similar scholarship opportunities.
[Read about 10 ways to nab a scholarship to pay for college.]
Outstanding students suffering from Crohn’s disease or other inflammatory disorders can apply for one of 45 $15,000 AbbVie Immunology Scholarships. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents who are planning to enroll in or currently attend an accredited U.S. college or trade school. Applications for 2017 have closed; check the website for details on the next round of awards.
While these scholarships promote eating as a way to benefit your health, that’s not the only way to qualify for college food-related scholarships.
For example, the American Association of Candy Technologies offers the John Kitt Memorial Scholarship, worth $5,000, to a college sophomore, junior or senior who have a demonstrated interest in confectionery technology and are attending an accredited four-year, North American institution. Applicants must also have a minimum 3.0 GPA and be majoring in food, chemical or biological science or a related field of study. Applications have closed for this year, but keep an eye on the website for the 2018-2019 awards cycle.
Whether your interest is in food you love to eat or food you can’t eat, it doesn’t hurt to fill your plate with scholarships that can help you pay for college. This is one time when all-you-can-eat won’t give you a stomach ache.
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