Mary E. Smith Foundation Scholarships

MESF encourages students to AIM HIGH in order to qualify for academic scholarships which we offer to high school, college/medical school students & adult learners.  Over $150,000 have been given to deserving students since our incorporation in 2008.

National Excellence in Academics & Community Service Award

This one-time scholarship, in an amount up to $2,500, will be awarded to one or two (2) successful candidates annually. Candidates must be brain tumor patients/survivors or closely related to someone diagnosed with a brain tumor. Relationships are limited to spouse, biological children, biological parents, and biological siblings.

Candidates must also be US residents who are entering or currently enrolled in an advanced educational program at a college, university, vocational school, or other setting within the fifty United States or District of Columbia that demonstrate a need for financial assistance. Amount of award will be paid directly to the student’s school if for tuition, or directly to the recipient to assist with living expenses, books, travel, etc.

Award applications for the 2023-2024 school year will be available by October 1, 2023.  The scholarship application deadline is February 1, 2024. Your completed application must be submitted or postmarked by that date. We will notify the 2024 recipients in March 2024.  Local winners must be prepared to participate in the Annual Scholarship Gala on April 28th and the Annual Brain Tumor Awareness Fun Run/Walk in the summer of 2024.  All winners will be listed on our site in April 2023.

National Excellence in Science & Medicine Award

This one-time scholarship, in an amount up to $2,500, will be awarded to one or two (2) successful candidates annually. Candidates must also be US residents who are entering or currently enrolled in an advanced educational program within health sciences (including biology, chemistry, nursing, etc.) with the intent to enter the field of oncology or neurology (including neuroscience, neurosurgery, and neuropathology) at a college or four-year university within the fifty United States or District of Columbia. Amount of award will be paid directly to the student’s school if for tuition, or directly to the recipient to assist with living expenses, books, travel, etc.

Award applications for the 2023-2024 school year will be available by October 1, 2023.  The scholarship application deadline is February 1, 2024. Your completed application must be submitted or postmarked by that date. We will notify the 2024 recipients in March 2024.  Local winners must be prepared to participate in the Annual Scholarship Gala on April 28th and the Annual Brain Tumor Awareness Fun Run/Walk in the summer of 2024.  All winners will be listed on our site in April 2023.

Karen Lewis CTU-CPS Excellence in Science Award

Created in honor of Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) President Karen Lewis, this one time scholarship, in an amount up to $2,500, will be awarded to one or four (4) successful Chicago Public School (CPS) candidates annually (determined by funds availability).  Candidates must be a graduate or current CPS student entering or currently enrolled in an advanced educational program within the health sciences (including biology, chemistry, nursing, etc.); pursuing a technical certification, associate or bachelor level degree; with an emphasis in science and/or screening and research in the areas of oncology or neurology (including neuroscience, neurosurgery, and neuropathology) at a college or four-year university within the fifty United States or District of Columbia.  Amount of award will be paid directly to the student’s school if for tuition, or directly to the recipient to assist with living expenses, books, travel, etc.

Award applications for the 2023-2024 school year will be available by October 1, 2023.  The scholarship application deadline is February 1, 2024. Your completed application must be submitted or postmarked by that date. We will notify the 2024 recipients in March 2024.  Local winners must be prepared to participate in the Annual Scholarship Gala on April 28th and the Annual Brain Tumor Awareness Fun Run/Walk in the summer of 2024.  All winners will be listed on our site in April 2023.