Kids Cancer Care Derek Wandzura Memorial Scholarship

What you will need

• ✓ Proof of being a childhood cancer patient or survivor
• ✓ Diagnosis occurred at age 18 or younger
• ✓ Proof of current address or residency in Southern Alberta
• ✓ Enrollment in an undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate program for the upcoming academic year
• ✓ Not receiving the Kids with Cancer Society Bursary

About this award

You can receive a one-time award starting at $2,500. This is a scholarship, not a loan, so you do not have to pay it back. If you have extenuating circumstances because of your experience with cancer, you may be eligible for additional funding. This is for you if you are a childhood cancer patient or survivor who is pursuing your education after facing the challenges of a diagnosis. The May 1, 2026 deadline has passed. Check the Calgary Foundation scholarships page for the next deadline before you plan around this award. When you apply, ask how and when you'll hear back — whether it is by email, phone, or through the application portal. Selection criteria aren't published — ask Calgary Foundation how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. The money is applied directly to your tuition. Confirm with Calgary Foundation during your application if there are any other specific ways the funds are handled. Renewal conditions aren't listed — since this is a one-time award, you cannot apply for it again in future years.

Who qualifies

To qualify, you must be a childhood cancer patient or survivor whose diagnosis occurred at age 18 or younger. You must be a resident of Southern Alberta, which includes Red Deer and the rural areas east, west, and south of Red Deer. You must be enrolled in any year of study at a post-secondary institution in the upcoming academic year pursuing an undergraduate degree, diploma, or certificate program. Additionally, you must not be a recipient of the Kids with Cancer Society Bursary.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

• ✓ Open to certificate or undergraduate students
• ✓ Resident of Alberta

How to apply

1. 1

   Read the award's official page

   Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.

2. 2

   This round closed on May 1, 2026

   Check the award's official page for the next round before you prepare anything.

Tips for applying

• Medical HistoryAvoid providing a brief mention of your diagnosis. Instead, share the personal impact of your cancer journey and how it shaped your resilience. Provide a clear timeline of your diagnosis and treatment to show you meet the age-18-or-younger requirement.
• SupportAvoid omitting the "extenuating circumstances" mentioned in the guidelines. Instead, explicitly describe the financial or academic hurdles caused by your medical history. Attach a letter from a healthcare provider or counselor to validate these challenges.
• StrategyAvoid treating this as a general academic scholarship. Instead, focus on your identity as a survivor and how this specific funding helps you overcome barriers to education. Tailor your personal statement to reflect the spirit of the memorial award.
• RealismAvoid assuming the $2,500 is a guaranteed flat rate. Instead, treat this as a starting point and communicate your specific financial gaps. Remember that this is a one-time payment, so plan your long-term budget accordingly.

Questions students ask

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