NEW YORK, Jan. 17, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease—which currently affects more than 5 million Americans—continues to rise, a growing number of teens are facing the realities of caring for a parent, grandparent or someone else with the illness. To provide these teens an outlet to express themselves, and financial assistance for their education, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers an annual college scholarship essay competition. The deadline to enter the competition—which is open to high school seniors who will enter a four-year accredited college or university within the next year—is February 15. Last year, AFA awarded $25,000 in scholarships.
AFA will award one grand prize of $5,000, with first and second-runner-up prizes of $2,500 and $1,000 each, respectively. Honorable mention prizes of $500 will also be awarded.
“More and more teens are taking on the responsibility of becoming a caregiver for a loved one. Some are considering working in the healthcare field. As teens experience the toll of the disease first-hand, they have a lot of thoughts and emotions to express,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and chief executive officer. “In addition, the expenses incurred by families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s can impact their ability to pay for a college education. We are proud to offer these scholarships to relieve some of this burden.”
To enter the scholarship competition, college-bound high school seniors must submit a 1,200-1,500 word essay that demonstrates how Alzheimer’s disease has impacted their lives and what they have learned about themselves, their family and/or their community in the face of coping with the illness.
Applications may be submitted via the online application form or mailed to: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001, Attention: AFA Teens College Scholarship. Applications sent via U.S. Mail must be postmarked no later than February 15.
To qualify, students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must also enter a four-year accredited college or university within 12 months of the application deadline. Existing college students are not eligible to apply.
For more information about AFA Teens and to enter the scholarship competition, visit www.youngleadersofafa.org/ or call 866-232-8484.
About Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA):
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, based in New York, is a non-profit organization that unites more than 2,600 member organizations nationwide in the goal of providing optimal care and services to individuals living with dementia, and to their caregivers and families. Its services include a national, toll-free helpline (866-232-8484) staffed by licensed social workers, educational conferences and materials, a free quarterly magazine for caregivers, the National Memory Screening Program, and “AFA Partners in Care” dementia care training for healthcare professionals. For more information about AFA, call 866-232-8484, visit www.alzfdn.org, follow us on Twitter, or connect with us on Facebook or LinkedIn.