Applications for 2025 Scholarships will open in March 2025

The Hope Fund Educational Scholarship was established in 2021 by Jodi DeOms McKay and Bryan DeOms, in loving memory of their parents Gary and Dianne DeOms.  Both Gary and Diane (Mama D) were active and engaged supporters of Special Love programming.  They took a particular interest in the brothers and sisters of children with cancer and their families.  This scholarship program is designed to develop new talent in the fields of their personal professional experience.

The Hope Fund Educational Scholarship Fund for Siblings of Cancer Patients, provides educational scholarships to patient siblings, age 18 to 25, pursuing post-secondary education or training and who are or have participated in Special Love’s BRothers And Sisters (BRASS) programming.  Each year, the fund awards scholarships based on available resources aimed at applicants who have demonstrated a financial need, academic potential and involvement with Special Love programming. 

Scholarship awards are specifically for siblings of cancer patients at the collegiate level of undergraduate junior or above (to include graduate programs) whose degree interest is agriculture, science/medicine and/or non-profit management.

Awards are intended for to cover the student’s tuition and school fees only.

Grants range from $1,000 to $1,500, and are intended to cover the student’s tuition and school fees only.

Questions? Email scholarships@specialove.org, or call (888) 930-2707.

Application Process

Eligibility for a scholarship is restricted solely to applicants who are, or have been, participants of at least one BRASS camp-based program sponsored by Special Love, Inc., and are 18 to 25 years of age.

Scholarships are awarded based on the applications the Review Committee determines meets the following criteria:

  • Academic Performance and Potential
  • Financial Need
  • Personal Need, and;
  • The completeness of the application process.

Awarded scholarships will be sent directly to the post-secondary institution or training facility in which the student enrolls in two equal installments in July and December.

*Please note that you are eligible to re-apply if you have received this scholarships in the past*

Applications are closed for 2024.

2024 Hope Fund Educational Scholarship Awardee

Quincy McElhaney

Working towards her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Xavier University