Type 1 Diabetes Higher Education Scholarship

TOPP Foundation’s Higher Education Scholarship is open to 2023 high school seniors with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) planning to continue their education at a two-or four-year college or university or a professional or trade school. Students from Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia County, PA., are eligible to apply.

The medical costs of T1D can be daunting and paying for higher education can be an additional financial hardship for families and individuals. The students selected to receive a scholarship from TOPP Foundation will be recognized for their achievements and receive a financial boost to help with tuition costs as they begin their post-secondary education.

“We're continually inspired by the determination, strength, and resilience these students display every day as they thrive and succeed while also dealing with an unpredictable and demanding chronic illness,” said Christine Gunsiorowski, co-founder of TOPP Foundation.

TOPP Foundation will be awarding $500 aid scholarships to four (4) students with Type 1 Diabetes. The money will be sent directly to the school to be used for tuition. Applicants must fill out an application, provide documentation, and submit an essay. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is 6/30/2023. Please visit toppfoundation.org for more information about this program and to access the scholarship application.

Unlike the more common Type 2 Diabetes, T1D is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. There is currently no cure, and its causes are not fully known. People with T1D are dependent on injected or pumped insulin and need to carefully regulate their blood sugar to stay alive. Living with T1D is a full-time balancing act requiring constant attention and meticulous planning to avoid acute, life-threatening hypoglycemia or the long-term damage done by hyperglycemia.

TOPP Foundation (Type One Parent Project) is a local nonprofit founded in 2016 by three mothers who each have a son with T1D. TOPP’s mission is to support T1D families and to raise awareness and funds to accelerate research that leads to a cure. TOPP also provides diabetes camp scholarships for Camp Nejeda and Camp Freedom and family camp scholarships for Camp Nejeda. TOPP Foundation is 100% funded by donations and relies on the support of generous individuals and businesses in our community. If you would like to donate to this program or to TOPP’s camp scholarship program, please contact Christine at christine@toppfund.org or donate directly from the TOPP website at www.toppfoundation.org.