The ALS Association is now accepting applications for The Jane Calmes ALS Scholarship Fund for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year. Established in 2019, the scholarship is designed to support post-high school education for students whose lives have been impacted by ALS, with recipients receiving up to $5,000 per year to help cover the cost of education.

“This scholarship will help me so much. I will be able to attain an education that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do because of financial struggles. I’ll also be able to go to a university and start the beginning of my independent life without burdening my parents. This scholarship means the world to me and I can’t thank you all enough,” said Mattea McGee, who received a scholarship in 2020.

Her father has battled ALS for most of her life. Because of the devastating financial burden brought on by the disease, she was concerned about how she would be able to afford college.

“The financial burden of ALS is devastating to families, and kids are all too often collateral damage. The disease forces many students to delay their education so they can pitch in as caregivers, while others lose the financial ability to attend school altogether,” said Mark Calmes, member of The ALS Association’s National Board of Trustees. “I’m very pleased the fund is able to help some of these students get back on the education path that was disrupted by ALS.” Calmes started the scholarship fund in honor of his late wife, Jane, who fought ALS for eight years and passed away in August 2017.

“Jane was a quiet, gentle, yet tenacious warrior, and I promised her I would continue the fight as long as I could. She also put such a high value on education, so this scholarship fund seemed like a great way to honor her,” Calmes said.

The scholarship is not limited to traditional two- or four-year college degrees, but is also intended to cover vocational education. “It’s important that all students, no matter what profession they want to go into, have the ability to seek out these awards to help them pursue their life dreams,” Calmes said.

Providing financial assistance to students pursuing an accredited college degree or vocational certificate, the fund has awarded $695,000 to 103 students nationwide since its inception.

Applications for this year’s scholarship awards, which will be distributed for the fall 2021 and spring 2022 semesters, are being accepted now through May 24, 2021.

To contribute to The Jane Calmes ALS Scholarship Fund and help us support even more students pursuing education, visit HERE. Every dollar contributed to the fund goes to scholarships.

To apply for The Jane Calmes ALS Scholarship Fund awards, donate to the scholarship fund, or find additional information, please visit als.org HERE. 

The Jane Calmes Scholarship Fund is being administered by Scholarship America, applications are being accepted HERE.