Juvenile Arthritis

College Scholarships

The Arthritis Foundation is offering $500 college scholarships to three Connecticut or Rhode Island high school seniors with arthritis. The scholarships are part of the foundation’s Kids Gets Arthritis Too campaign.

Students must have juvenile arthritis that has been diagnosed by a physician and be a resident of Connecticut or Rhode Island. Scholarship applications are judged by a volunteer committee based on academic achievement, financial need, and volunteer service to the school or community. Applications are due April 30.

Awards will be presented at a free day-long program for families on juvenile arthritis on June 2 at Camp Hemlocks in Hebron. The local Arthritis Foundation chapter is the only one in the country to offer college scholarships to teens with arthritis.

Juvenile arthritis affects approximately 285,000 children in the United States, according to the Arthritis Foundation. The peak time of onset of juvenile arthritis is 1 to 3 years of age and 8 to 12 years of age. Children get arthritis, but with the support of community and schools, they can do many activities appropriate for their age group.

Scholarship applications are available through high school guidance departments or by contacting the Arthritis Foundation at 800-541-8350 or info.sne@arthritis.org.