Sasha Smith Award
Mark Anthony created this scholarship to honor his little sister, Sasha, who passed away from NF1 (neurofibromatosis) in 2023. Sasha was a bright, resilient young woman whose life was shaped by her diagnosis, and who never had the chance to pursue the higher education she dreamed of. Mark Anthony created this scholarship so that another student facing the same diagnosis could have the opportunity Sasha didn't.
This scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors living with NF1 who plan to pursue higher education — whether at a trade school, community college, or university. Applicants are encouraged to share their own story, including how their diagnosis has shaped their goals and their path forward.
Mark Anthony hopes this scholarship will be a small way to carry his sister's memory forward, while giving another student living with a chronic illness the chance to pursue their education and build the future Sasha never got to see. To apply, in your own words, tell us about yourself — your hobbies, your goals, and your plans after high school — and share how NF1 has shaped you into the person you are today.
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FAQ
The application deadline is Feb 4, 2027. Winners will be announced on Mar 5, 2027.
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Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Mar 5, 2027. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.
