Scholarships

The Boomer Esiason Foundation scholarship program was created in July 2003 to provide financial assistance to students in the cystic fibrosis community who are pursuing higher education opportunities.

BEF awards roughly $450,000 in scholarship funds each year.

Impact

Awarded over $3,750,000 in Scholarships to-date

Awarded scholarships to students from all 50 states (Plus some incoming international students)

In a recent survey, 94% of respondents who are no longer students completed their degrees

According to a recent survey, almost 90% of responding graduates who received a scholarship report some employment with 74% reporting full-time employment

Scholarships

While criteria vary among scholarships, all applicants must:

  • Attend college or university in the United States
  • Have a cystic fibrosis diagnosis OR have a sibling with a CF diagnosis OR have a parent living with cystic fibrosis

Sacks for CF Scholarship

Deadline: Friday, January 10, 2025

For every sack recorded during NFL Monday Night Football games, the Sacks for CF Scholarship Program receives a donation from a corporate partner. Sacks for CF funds are awarded annually to college students, based on their academic achievements and adherence to daily CF therapy.

For more details and to apply.

Boomer Esiason Foundation Academic Scholarship

Deadline: Friday, April 18, 2025

In order to alleviate the financial burden on students in the CF community so that they can focus on school, the Boomer Esiason Foundation will award a General Academic Scholarship to 20 students and award them $10,000 each. Winners will be chosen by a committee that  consists of people living with cystic fibrosis. The BEF Scholarship committee considers the applicant’s scholastic ability, character, leadership potential, service to the community and need for financial assistance. While a person’s health isn’t a determining criteria, we will ask that people with CF confirm their diagnosis to us.

During the application process, students will have the option to write a long-form essay answering a specific question pertaining to a scholarship designation. Completing the essay automatically enters the student into the pool of candidates who will be considered for additional financial assistance.

The designations are: 

  • Bonnie Strangio Memorial
  • Rosemary Quigley Memorial
  • Jerry Cahill You Cannot Fail Distinction
  • Lea Faraone Memorial
  • Team Boomer Distinction
  • Exemplary Graduate Student Distinction

For more details and to apply:

Paul Drury Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: Friday, April 18, 2025

The Paul Drury Memorial Scholarship honors a man who achieved so much in the face of cystic fibrosis.

The Paul Drury Memorial Scholarship honors a man who achieved so much in the face of cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis is a disease that an entire family must face head on. The condition many times shapes the lives of not only the patient, but their family members. The scholarship program aims to highlight the support system that is so critical to success in the fight against CF. Cystic fibrosis siblings and children are people who share in the daily battle against CF. They help motivate their family members to remain compliant with medications and, ultimately, help carry some of the burden themselves! 

For more details and to apply:

Meet a BEF Scholar

Alex Karwowski

As an aspiring Journalist, the Boomer Esiason Foundation Scholarship has made my dreams of an education in media more attainable. I’m tremendously grateful for this opportunity, given to me.

Elizabeth Goodin

The Boomer Esiason Foundation Scholarship helped me take 15 credit hours this semester! With this scholarship and educational aid, I will be able to pursue a double major in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. I couldn’t thank the BEF enough. College has been such a great experience for my physical and mental health. Without science, I wouldn’t be here, and having the chance to participate in this amazing community has made me appreciate it even more.