DUE TO COMPLICATIONS FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE BOOMER ESIASON FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED. ANY QUESTIONS CAN BE DIRECTED TO SCHOLARSHIPS@ESIASON.ORG
The Gunnar Esiason Own It Scholarship is part of the Boomer Esiason Foundation scholarship program, and is designed to support students with cystic fibrosis studying at the graduate level. Students who are enrolled in graduate school, or who will be beginning graduate school in the scholarship’s calendar year, will be eligible to apply. Applicants must be able to prove a cystic fibrosis diagnosis with written documentation from a medical provider.
I believe that it is important to be well-rounded when dealing with cystic fibrosis, which has been reflected that in past winners. I have used athletics, a constant want to learn and different social skills to fight cystic fibrosis day in and day out. Applicants for this scholarship must exhibit these traits in an effort to be selected.
I know that team sports has played a significant role in shaping my character, and prepared me to be a team player both as a student and in my professional life. I encourage you to yell us how you are a team player in your application!
The will to learn and achieve at the highest possible standard has also been part of my ever-evolving role as an advocate for people with CF, and on a more personal level with my individual fight against the disease. I think it is important to adapt with my surroundings. We are looking for applicants who are also willing to be humbled in our rapidly changing environment.
As the cystic fibrosis population ages, we know that undergraduate work often is not the final stop in higher education. We know that graduate school is a place for a person to lean on professional experience to enrich the classroom environment. Please tell us why you’re going back to school and how you plan to lean on past experiences to make the most of this new chapter in your life! is more than just a chance to learn inside the classroom.
Finally, I credit my social circle in college with supporting me through the good times and bad. I think people with cystic fibrosis should be open about their disease and willing to discuss it with the people around them. I so firmly believe in the value of friendship that this scholarship will require applicants to submit a peer recommendation from a close friend. Recommendations from teachers, mentors or parents will not be accepted as I think it is important for people with CF to form connections with those living at their side!
The Boomer Esiason Foundation scholarship committee will review the applications and choose a number of finalists to be interviewed. In some cases, I will be conducting the interviews and very much appreciate our applicants’ ability to communicate effectively about cystic fibrosis, their personal lives and their decision to pursue graduate education. For more information about the scholarship and its requirements click HERE. Good luck to all who apply! The deadline to apply for this year’s scholarship is PENDING.