Area Resident Among MS Scholarship Recipients

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Published on July 15 2015 10:17 am
Last Updated on July 15 2015 10:17 am
Written by Greg Sapp

The Greater Illinois Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has announced 19 new recipients of $1,000 college scholarships through its annual Scholarship Program, including Preston Street of Wheeler. He is a recent graduate of Newton Community High School and will attend Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville this fall. Throughout high school, Preston balanced sports, his studies, and helping his family as much as he could with both of his parents living with multiple sclerosis. With the help of the scholarship, Preston plans to pursue a career in dentistry.

The scholarship program helps students affected by multiple sclerosis pursue a college or technical school education. It is open to individuals who live with MS or have a parent who does. Applicants must plan to attend an accredited post-secondary school, and they can apply for any year of their undergraduate program.

“Even though the odds of me being diagnosed with MS are not in my favor, I have already decided that it will not hold me back,” said Preston in his application essay. “The struggles that my family has faced have equipped me with the life skills necessary to excel in college and work towards a successful future.”

In addition to the physical and emotional toll, MS can have a substantial financial impact on a family. The direct and indirect costs of MS, including lost wages — even for those with health insurance — are estimated at more than $70,000 annually per household. This makes funding a college education that much harder.

This year, more than $1.2 million in awards were presented to over 800 new and renewal recipients nationwide. Applications are evaluated on financial need, academic record, leadership and volunteer activities, a statement of educational and career goals, and letters of recommendation. Applicants are also asked to provide a personal statement describing the impact MS has had on their life. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $3,000 and recipients are eligible to reapply each year to be considered for a future award. The program is competitive and awards are not guaranteed.

“For the 20,000 people in Illinois affected by MS and the hundreds of thousands diagnosed with the disease across the country, there are very few known sources of scholarship assistance specially targeted for these families,” said Holly Messick, President, Greater Illinois Chapter. “MS shouldn’t stand in the way of an education, and we are hopeful this program will give families some relief.”

Information about scholarships for 2016-17 will be available on October 1. For more information, call 1-800-344-4867 or visit www.nationalMSsociety.org/scholarship