Established in 2020, the RARE Foundation has awarded more than 500 $5,000 scholarships through the #RAREis Scholarship Fund to support individuals as they pursue their educational goals. With support from Amgen, the program provides scholarships and opportunities beyond financial support, helping individuals in the rare disease pursue their educational and career goals.
Eligibility
Open to U.S residents ages 17 and older living with a rare disease, diagnosed or undiagnosed with verification. Applicants must enroll full-time or part-time in undergraduate, graduate, or vocational study at an accredited institution for the upcoming fall semester.
Applicants must provide a Diagnosis Verification Form completed by a physician. A disease is defined as rare when it affects fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. For more information, please refer to The National Institute of Health and the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center and/or NORD.
For full eligibility details, please visit Scholarship America.
Award
Scholarships of $5,000 are awarded to recipients each year. The number of awards varies annually.
Recipients are invited to participate in an optional mentorship program that pairs individuals with similar disease types or areas of study, along with educational and advocacy opportunities throughout the year.
Application Timeline
Applications typically open in spring. Please check back for details on the 2027 cycle.
Selection Process
Scholarship America administers the application and selection process independently.
Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, leadership, work experience, and essay response. Financial need is considered but not required.
Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability, or national origin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reapply?
Yes. Eligible students may reapply each year. Applicants may receive the scholarship up to four times.
Do family members qualify?
No. This scholarship is exclusively designed for individuals living with a rare disease.
Do I qualify if I am a carrier of a genetic rare disease?
Carrier status alone does not qualify unless accompanied by a confirmed diagnosis or symptoms.
Who can complete the Diagnosis Verification Form, and can I reuse it?
Any physician who provides care for you and can confirm your diagnosis, or undiagnosed journey, may complete the form. You may reuse your form unless your diagnosis has changed or been updated.
Can I apply if I live, or go to school, outside the US?
Applicants must be residents of the United States and enroll in an educational institution that accepts scholarship funds in US currency.
How are fund distributed?
Scholarship funds are sent directly to the recipient’s educational institution. Recipients are responsible for submitting the check to their school.
The #RAREis Scholarship has provided me with the resources and support I need to continue my journey as a law scholar, dedicated to improving the lives of those impacted by rare diseases.
Gracie Maurer
2022 – 2024 #RAREis Scholarship Recipient
For general questions, please contact programs@rareadvocates.org.
This program is made possible thanks to the generous support of
