Get Ready to Apply
Step One: Gather Information
You’ll need the following information to complete your application:
- Name, address, and ID number of your current school
- Name, address, and ID number of school you will attend
- Name of your CF clinic, physician, and social worker
You will also need digital copies of these files (PDF format):
- Acceptance or confirmation letter from chosen school
- Recent high school or college transcript
- Confirmation of CF diagnosis by clinic or hospital on official letterhead
- Recent photo of yourself (JPG or PNG format)
Step Two: Essay or Video
You have the option to submit either a 600 word essay or a video that is no longer than 2 minutes. Please address the following question:
How has living with cystic fibrosis shaped your experiences and perspective since entering college, or more broadly in your life? You may wish to reflect on its impact on your personal growth, relationship with your body, connections with others, worldview, educational goals, spirituality, and sense of purpose.
Your answer can be a written essay (PDF format, 600 words max.) or a video hosted on YouTube or other video site. The video must be no longer than 2 minutes and must also answer the above question. We will ONLY consider fully completed applications and ONLY applications with essays under 600 words or videos no longer than 2 minutes.
Step Three: Apply
Once you have your materials, click the button to begin the application. The application is in four steps and must be completed in a single visit. If you close your browser window before submitting your application, you will need to begin again.
Your browser must allow cookies. If you have difficulties completing the form, contact info@thebonnellfoundation.org for assistance.
Applications must be submitted by Sunday, March 15, 2026 at midnight EST. Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements as shown below.
Questions about how to apply for the Bonnell Foundation Education Scholarship?
Watch this recent webinar on how to navigate the process.
Eligibility
Applicants to The Bonnell Foundation: Living with Cystic Fibrosis Scholarship Program must:
- Be a senior in high school or an undergrad at a community college, university or trade school in the U.S.
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5
- Be a U.S. Citizen
- Complete all of the required information on the application
- Complete the upload of the required materials including (PDF format except where noted):
- Choice of essay or video
- College/university or trade school acceptance letter
- Most recent transcript with cumulative GPA
- CF diagnosis letter
- Recent photo of yourself (JPG or PNG format)
Scholarship Requirements: Students awarded scholarships:
- Are required to respond within 15 days from the email notification if they are accepting the scholarship.
- Within that acceptance period they must also submit a :30 second video, shot horizontally on their phones, answering the question: “What does winning the Bonnell Foundation scholarship mean to you?”
- Write a brief Thank You note addressed to Colleen and emailed to info@thebonnellfoundation.org thanking her for funding the scholarship program.
- In addition to your video and thank you letter to Colleen, please email a quote about how this scholarship helps you or your family.
If selected as a recipient, the applicant will receive up to USD $3,500 in scholarship dollars. Applicants can apply as often as they like but will only be awarded education scholarships twice (consecutive years or otherwise) during their undergrad years.