NEW YORK, NY --(Marketwired - January 26, 2016) - The deadline for the Alzheimer's Foundation of America's (AFA) Teens for Alzheimer's Awareness College Scholarship Competition is fast-approaching. Interested teens must submit their essays by February 15 for a chance at the $5,000 grand prize. Runners-up will receive $2,500 and $1,000 each and several runners-up will receive awards of $500.
This is the ninth year that AFA has offered the competition, which typically draws more than 1,500 entries. To enter, 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.
"As the incidence of Alzheimer's disease continues to rise, more and more teens are finding themselves learning, first-hand the toll this disease can take," says Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA's president and chief executive officer. "And the financial burden that many families endure as a result of this disease can sometimes impact a student's ability to go to college. We are proud to offer this scholarship as a way to help offset some of that burden and to give teens a way to express their feelings."
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.
Currently, there are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses and that number is expected to nearly triple by mid-century.
For more information about AFA Teens and to enter the scholarship competition, visit www.youngleadersofafa.org/ or call AFA at 866-232-8484.
About Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA):
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America is a non-profit founded to fill the gap that existed on a national level assuring quality of care and excellence in service to individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, and to their caregivers and families. AFA unites more than 2,400 member organizations from coast-to-coast that are dedicated to meeting the educational, social, emotional and practical needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their families. Under AFA's umbrella, these organizations collaborate on education, resources, best practices and advocacy -- all resulting in better care for people affected by the disease. AFA's services include a national, toll-free helpline staffed by licensed social workers, educational materials, professional training, community outreach, free quarterly caregiver magazine, research funding, public advocacy and programmatic services. For more information about AFA, call 866-232-8484, visit http://www.alzfdn.org , follow us on Twitter or connect with us on Facebook or LinkedIn .
The following files are available for download:
Keith Hudson 866 232 8484 ext.104 khudson@alzfdn.org
