This blog originally appeared on MatressAdvisor.com.
If you look hard enough, you can find a scholarship for anything! In the sleep world, there are tons of scholarships offered for those with sleeping disorders or those who have something important to say about our sleep. These scholarships may be more relevant to you than you’d expect. As much as one-third of America is sleep deprived, so your chances are pretty high for experiencing some sleep-related disturbances that could qualify you for one of these scholarships. You may also qualify for one or more of the scholarships featured in this guide if you’re interested in studying or pursuing a degree related to sleep science, feel passionately about your dreams, or are dedicated to living a healthy lifestyle (which starts by improving your sleep quality). Don’t sleep on this opportunity to help fund your education. Check out these scholarships and grants for both undergraduate and graduate students for the chance to be one step closer to pursuing your dreams. (And make sure to visit each scholarship page for more information and pay attention to deadlines!)
Sleep-related scholarships
Many students struggle with sleep problems during their college years. Students are faced with many challenges that interrupt their sleep, including increased stress and anxiety from the pressures to succeed, dealing with the difficulty of balancing a social life, and troubles managing their own time. The following organizations are interested in bringing awareness to the importance of high-quality sleep health, especially for students in their formative college years. Have something valuable to say about sleep? Then these scholarships may be for you.
Mattress Help Sleep Health Scholarship
MattressHelp.org offers the annual Mattress Help Sleep Health Scholarship of $1,000 to spread awareness about sleep as a public health issue and to support students by helping cut costs of higher education. To meet the eligibility criteria, students must be currently enrolled in their final year of high school or home school or currently attend an accredited US post-secondary institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants must submit the application listed on Mattress Help’s site along with a five-minute video discussing the following:
- What factors most negatively and positively affect your sleep?
- Assess the quality of your own sleep health and discuss some ways that you can improve it.
The most creative and impactful submission will win the award. Scholarship applications close on September 25 every year. The scholarship winner is notified via email within one month of the annual deadline.
Related: Top Sleep Hygiene Advice for Tired Students
Scholarships for sleep disorders
Sleep is a key component to maintaining focus during the day and enabling your critical thinking. Those who are affected with sleep disorders may experience additional challenges when transitioning to higher education due to their sleep disruptions. If you suffer from a sleep disorder, these scholarships from various organizations are available to help support you.
Jack & Julie Narcolepsy Scholarship
In the past five years, Project Sleep has awarded 50 scholarships to students pursuing higher education. The Jack & Julie Narcolepsy Scholarship from Project Sleep is a national program that supports students with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia and builds awareness of these conditions. This program was founded by Julie Flygare and the Graham Family in 2014 and has since awarded over $50,000 to support its cause. Project Sleep awards the scholarship to students who are affected by narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia. To apply, just submit the application found on their site by mail.
Sleep science scholarships and grants
Many organizations are eager to support students interested in pursuing fields related to sleep science. If you have an interest in studying sleep science and pursuing a career advancing sleep medicine, these scholarships are available to you.
American Thoracic Society (ATS) Scholarships
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) offers more than 10 awards to students, residents, fellows, and junior faculty members interested in pursuing a career in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. The mission of the ATS is to improve global health by advancing research, patient care, and public health in these fields of study. If you are interested in pursuing one of these fields, you may be eligible for some of the scholarships offered by the ATS.
SleePare Scholarship
SleePare believes in giving back to society and the importance of receiving an education, which is why they actively support students working toward their dream education. SleePare awards a $1,000 scholarship each year to a student in pursuit of higher education. In order to apply, students must submit a five-minute video discussing the following questions:
- How can we push people with insomnia to be engaged with CBTI?
- According to you, what is the most effective way to convey the importance of sleep to the public?
To be eligible, students must be currently enrolled in their final year of high school or home school in the US or be enrolled in college in pursuit of a professional degree at an accredited post-secondary institute in the US with a minimum GPA of 3.0. SleePare asks that video submissions from students are creative and deliver new and exciting information.
Related: How Important Is Sleep to Academic Success?
Dream-related scholarships
Your dreams are more than what you see at night while you sleep. Tell your story of your passion, determination, and how you’re working toward your dream for a chance at these scholarships.
1,000 Dreams Scholarship
The 1,000 Dreams Scholarship offers one-time educational assistance of up to $1,000 for students who are currently enrolled in high school or college-aged women in the US. This assistance can include but is not limited to:
- Education conferences
- Instructional programs related to creative or artistic pursuits
- Graduate exam application fees
- Textbooks
Please note this scholarship is not intended to fund tuition or cover ongoing needs such as utility bills or food costs. The 1,000 Dreams Scholarship intends to provide access to educational opportunities beyond tuition. To be eligible for this opportunity, students must be women attending high school or a two- or four-year college in the US and demonstrate financial need. Applications require two letters of recommendation and an essay explaining how you would use the funds.
I Have A Dream Scholarship
The I Have a Dream Scholarship from Unigo encourages students to bring their wildest dreams to life in an essay of 250 words or fewer. Applicants must be at least 13 years of age, be a legal resident of the US or the District of Columbia, and be currently enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education. In order to apply, students must answer the following prompt in their essay: What do you dream about? Whether it’s a bizarre dream from last week or your hopes for the future, share your dreams for a chance to win $1,500 for college.
Healthy lifestyle scholarships
Sleep is often sacrificed by college students who become overwhelmed with assignments and managing their own time. These scholarships are intended for those who are dedicating themselves to a healthy lifestyle in college. Start by talking about the importance of your sleep and see if you have a shot at one of these aid opportunities.
iVein Health and Wellness Scholarship
The iVein Health and Wellness Scholarship is offered by IVC, a trusted leader in preventing and treating vein disease. iVein is passionate about encouraging students to practice healthy habits during the formative college years, which is why they reward students who are committed to maintaining healthy habits for a lifetime. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited US college or university full-time (12 credit hours) with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.7. To apply, students need to write an essay between 800–1,000 words promoting a practical approach to a healthy lifestyle during college and discuss how to sustain these habits for a lifetime. Winners will be selected based on a demonstrated, detailed knowledge of health and wellness and an explanation of why healthy living is important based on personal experiences.
Related: 6 Ways to Live a Healthy Lifestyle in College
You can find scholarships for just about anything—no matter how weird it may seem. Your interest in sleep science or sleep-related condition could get you big money to help pay for college. So go do some more research on these sleeping and dreaming scholarships while cuddled up in your bed!
Read the original blog on MatressAdvisor.com, and find even more scholarships on CollegeXpress with the Scholarship Search tool!
