Get Ready to Apply
When students apply this year please be advised in both the video format and the essay you must answer several questions, not just one question as in past years.
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 an essay or a video that is between 1 and 2 minutes long. Please address all of the following questions:
- Program Development:
If you were in charge of programming at The Bonnell Foundation, which programs would you create or enhance? What specific changes or additions would you make, and why? - Living with Cystic Fibrosis Podcast:
Have you ever listened to the Living with Cystic Fibrosis podcast? (We value honesty in your response!) If you have, which episodes did you find most engaging, and what did you like about them? If you haven’t listened yet, why not? After checking out the podcast page here, let us know what stands out to you, what topics or guests you’d be interested in hearing, and why. - Mental Health and CF:
We understand that mental health and living with cystic fibrosis can be deeply connected. (You’re welcome to skip this question if you’re not comfortable answering.) How do you feel CF affects your mental health, both now and looking toward the future? Do you feel it has shaped you in any positive ways, like helping you develop gratitude or resilience? How did the diagnosis impact you when you first learned about the realities of the disease? Our founder often shares how CF has been both stressful and a source of deep gratitude, especially in moments spent with her daughters, who both have CF. What are your thoughts on this? - Travel Dreams:
If money were no object, where in the world would you travel, and why? Is there a particular place or culture that interests you, and what would you hope to experience there? - Best Advice Received:
What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Who gave it to you, and do you apply this advice in your life with CF? - Advice to Others:
What advice would you offer to someone living with CF, especially someone newly diagnosed? Additionally, what would you say to a parent whose child has just been diagnosed with CF?
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 between 1 and 2 minutes and must also answer the above questions. 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 Saturday, March 15, 2025 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.