The purpose of the National Graduate Scholarship from the Patient Advocate Foundation is to provide support to individuals who must have been diagnosed with and/or been actively treated for a cancer or chronic disease within the past five years. Applicants must be pursuing a Master's degree or higher. Scholars are eligible to receive a scholarship of $3,000 per school year, or $1,500 per semester, Fall or Spring, for up to two consecutive years until the student receives a maximum of $6,000 or graduates with a Graduate or PhD degree, whichever comes first. Applicants must submit a copy of an acceptance letter from the college or university they are planning to attend. If the applicant is unsure or has not received acceptance letters yet, they must list the colleges to which they applied instead. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation from non-related persons such as teachers, coaches, or community leaders. The recommender should be able to endorse the applicant's personal character, academic achievements, and work or volunteer experience. Applicants must also ask their treating physician, oncologist, primary care physician, or nurse to verify their patient's diagnosis by completing the Diagnosis Verification Form or by submitting a signed letter on practice's/provider's letterhead. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the Patient Advocate Foundation for more information.