Paula Kovarick Segalman Family Scholarship for ALS

Scholarship Sponsored by EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases

Description The Segalman Family ALS Scholarship provides annual support to U.S. students whose finances have been affected by ALS. One new $5,000 scholarship is awarded each year to help cover qualified education-related expenses. The award is intended for students at two- or four-year colleges, universities, or vocational schools and supports degree or certificate completion. Use of the funds is restricted to education-related costs. Key takeaways - One new scholarship awarded annually. - Funds must be used for qualified education-related expenses. - Designed for students in two- or four-year colleges or vocational programs. - Supports progression toward a degree or certificate. Eligibility Applicants must be U.S. citizens whose finances have been affected by ALS through their own diagnosis or the diagnosis of an immediate family member (parent, spouse, sibling, or parent’s spouse). Eligible academic standing includes high school seniors, high school graduates, GED holders, or current undergraduates planning to enroll full-time for the upcoming academic year. Applicants must plan to attend an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational school. Eligibility is tied to ALS-related financial impact rather than field of study. Key takeaways - U.S. citizenship required. - ALS impact may be personal or affect an immediate family member. - Open to high school seniors/graduates, GED holders, and current undergraduates. - Must plan to enroll full-time in an accredited program. Award Value The award amount is $5,000 for each recipient. **Renewal conditions:** Awards may be renewed for up to three additional years or until the recipient earns a bachelor’s degree or certificate, whichever comes first. Renewal requires satisfactory academic performance and continued enrollment — specifically a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) and enrollment in at least six credits per term. **Permitted uses:** Funds are for qualified education-related expenses only. Key takeaways - Base award: $5,000. - Renewable up to three years or until degree/certificate completion. - Renewal requires minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and 6 credits per term. - Funds limited to qualified education-related expenses. Application Timeline The application window for 2026 opens on May 12 and remains open until 2:00 PM Eastern on the posted due date. Finalists and recipients are notified in advance of award disbursement, with awards scheduled to be disbursed in August. Applicants should confirm the specific closing date and plan to submit materials well before the 2:00 PM Eastern cutoff. Missing the deadline will disqualify the application for that cycle. Key takeaways - 2026 window opens May 12. - Applications close at 2:00 PM Eastern on the listed due date. - Awards are notified and disbursed in August. - Confirm the exact closing date and submit early. Selection Criteria Selection focuses on a combination of academic achievement, extracurricular leadership, work experience, and the strength of two brief written statements. Applicants must submit written statements (each limited to 1,000 characters) describing their educational and career goals and the financial impact of ALS on their family. Financial need is also considered as part of the review. The selection process evaluates the whole applicant package rather than a single factor. Key takeaways - Evaluated on academics, leadership, and work experience. - Two written statements required (each ≤1,000 characters). - Financial need is taken into account. - Application assessed holistically. Administration Scholarship America administers the Segalman Family ALS Scholarship on behalf of the EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases. Scholarship America independently manages the application intake, selection logistics, and fund distribution; the Segalman family reviews finalist applications. The program follows nondiscrimination policies in awarding scholarships. Administrative questions and submission instructions are handled through Scholarship America’s processes. Key takeaways - Administered by Scholarship America for EveryLife Foundation. - Segalman family reviews finalist applications. - Scholarship America handles application, selection logistics, and disbursement. - Awards are made without regard to protected characteristics. History of the Award The scholarship was established by the Segalman family to assist students whose education is financially affected by ALS. It reflects a targeted philanthropic effort to ease the financial burden of ALS on affected families and encourage educational attainment. The EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases partners in the initiative to reach eligible applicants and amplify the award’s impact. The program continues to support one new recipient each year. Key takeaways - Founded by the Segalman family to support those impacted by ALS. - Purpose: reduce ALS-related financial barriers to education. - Partnership with the EveryLife Foundation expands outreach. - One new recipient selected annually.