Scholarship

2025-2026 Ari’s Bears Scholarship

The Ari’s Bears Collegiate Scholarship was established by Ari’s Bears, a 501(c)(3) organization, to carry on the legacy of its founder, Ariella Stein. 

At nine years of age, Ariella Stein knew firsthand how hard a hospital stay could be. Although she herself was undergoing grueling treatments for Ewing’s Sarcoma, Ariella wanted to start a foundation, Ari’s Bears, to bring comfort and joy to other children in the hospital. Her idea was simple: she used her own money to purchase and make stuffed animals that she later delivered to pediatric patients.

When Ariella passed away at age 11 from complications from a bone marrow transplant, she had already delivered “Ari’s Bears” to seven local hospitals and respite houses. Her legacy is still being written; since its inception in 2018, Ari’s Bears has gifted more than 2,000 bears and other stuffed animals to children in hospitals. 

Scholarship:

Ari’s Bears will award college scholarships to undergraduate students with a current or former cancer diagnosis, OR the sibling of childhood cancer fighter, who has demonstrated exemplary community service in the area of childhood cancer. This scholarship will be available in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Criteria:

  • Must enroll in an accredited college or university in Fall 2025
  • Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 through the 2024 calendar year (high school seniors may submit high school transcripts; college students must submit college transcripts)
  • Must provide evidence of a cancer diagnosis
  • Must have demonstrated community service in the area of childhood cancer
  • Must provide the following documents:
    • An official transcript through 2024 (minimum 2.5 GPA required)
    • A signed statement from the applicant’s physician verifying the cancer diagnosis
    • Two letters of recommendation from non-relatives
    • Proof of enrollment in a college/university for Fall 2025
  • A high resolution photo of just yourself submitted electronically, for our website

Application Deadline:

  • April 30, 2025

Application:

  • Submit an application here

Questions:

For questions or additional information, email erica.stein@arisbears.org or visit www.arisbears.org