Massachusetts Sickle Cell Association [MSCA] will be awarding five (5) $2000 educational scholarships to individuals living with sickle cell disease, to help with the cost of tuition and/or towards the purchase of books to individuals who qualify to receive these scholarships.  

If you have been a recipient of a MSCA educational scholarship in the past, you are not eligible to apply.

Massachusetts Sickle Cell Association is dedicated to strengthening statewide systems of care for individuals living with sickle cell through strategic policy reform.

Eligibility:

  • The applicant must be an individual diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease living in MA.

  • A High School Senior, high school graduate or postsecondary student.

  • Have a minimum 2.5 GPA

  • The applicant must be accepted into an approved program or,

  • Currently enrolled in a two or four year college, university or vocational-technical school of their choice.  He or she may be enrolled either as a part-time or full time student.

  • MSCA Executive Officers and Scholarship Committee members are not eligible to apply.

  • Demonstrate a history of commitment to their community through leadership activities, community service and/or work experience.

Application Filing:

  • Scholarship applications must be submitted on or before June 26, 2026.  Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. 

  • Scholarship winners will be notified by July 3, 2026.  

  • Award will be presented at MSCA’s Annual Red Ribbon Gala and Scholarship Awards on June 25, 2026. Winner must be present to receive the award.

Requirements:

For any questions when completing the form below please email info@gbscda.org. All documents can be uploaded via dropbox using the link at the end of this application. Please read all the directions to understand how to properly upload documents.

  • Submit a five hundred (500) word essay typewritten in double-spaced format on “Resilience in the Face of Pain: Overcoming Challenges with Sickle Cell”.  Each applicant should also include what their educational goals are and how they expect to achieve them.

  • Complete application form

  • Proof of enrollment/registration

  • A letter of recommendation from Guidance Counselor, Teacher, Pastor

  • Headshot

  • Each Scholarship winner is required to commit at least 10 hours minimum of their time towards one of the various MSCA activities during the year they receive their scholarship.

Program Guidelines:

  • Scholarship awards may be used at any accredited two or four year college, university, or technical school within the United States

  • Scholarship funds may be applied to the cost of tuition, fees, books, lab fees and required school supplies

  • Awards are not renewable

  • A student may transfer from one institution to another and retain the award

Volunteer Commitment:

Each Scholarship winner is required to commit at least 10 hours minimum of their time to Massachusetts Sickle Cell Association during the year they receive their scholarship.

Please complete all sections of this application in order to be considered for a MSCA educational scholarship. 

Scholarship Program partially funded by a grant from Vertex Pharmaceutical