National GRACE Foundation awarded $47,000 grant to grow its Pediatric Cancer Survivor College Access and Success Initiative across South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SC — The National GRACE Foundation (NGF), an all-volunteer nonprofit based in Rhode Island, has been awarded a $47,000 grant from SC Student Loan Corporation through its philanthropy, Power:Ed, to bring NGF’s Pediatric Cancer Survivor College Access and Success Initiative to South Carolina and scale it statewide. This is the first statewide program of its kind in the US. The goal is to increase college readiness, postsecondary enrollment, and educational attainment while ensuring SC students have the resources and support needed to successfully transition from survivorship to higher education and future careers.
Power:Ed funding will support the implementation of this turnkey program designed to help pediatric cancer fighters and survivors successfully transition to higher education and careers. Funds will be used to provide FREE individualized college advising, FAFSA and financial aid assistance, scholarship guidance, career readiness programming, educational workshops, and ongoing support for students and families. GRACE stands for Growing, Recovering, and Achieving a College Education and is named after one of the founder’s daughters, a pediatric cancer survivor who is now considering colleges.
Funding will also support program coordination, outreach, participant tracking, educational resources, and outcome measurement. NGF has established relationships with MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital, Prisma Health Children's Hospital (Greenville and Columbia), and McLeod Children's Hospital, creating referral pathways that allows NGF to identify and serve eligible students throughout South Carolina. During the one-year grant period, NGF expects to serve at least 230 pediatric cancer survivors and patients, helping them navigate the college admissions process, secure financial aid, explore career opportunities, and pursue postsecondary education.
“Through the support of SC Student Loan’s philanthropy, Power:Ed, NGF will be there for pediatric cancer families in every corner of South Carolina, helping their kids Grow Recover And Continue Education. We are grateful to partner with an organization that understands that beating cancer is only the first step for these young people and accessing college or career pathways is essential to their thriving future,” said NGF President Anthony Gallonio.
“SC Student Loan's investment will help ensure that students whose educational pathways have been disrupted by cancer treatment have access to the guidance and resources needed to achieve their educational goals. We are so excited to support these students through NGF and watch them soar,” said Power:Ed Executive Director Claire Gibbons.
“The impacts of a childhood cancer diagnosis often extend far beyond the time of active treatment. Families often face years of ongoing academic, emotional, and financial challenges. We are grateful for our recent partnership with The National GRACE Foundation, which provides guidance, resources, and scholarship support unique to cancer survivors as they pursue their dreams of higher education and successful careers. As a social worker in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Prisma Health Upstate, I am excited to see the positive impact NGF will have on our patients and families who have been through so much,” said Amy Bowers, LMSW at BI-LO Charities Children’s Cancer Center, Prisma Health Upstate.
NGF expects to work with 50-75 families impacted by pediatric cancer in South Carolina each year. They have already held two events this fall (college admissions and how to talk about cancer in your essay), with 35 families attending. NGF will continue holding events throughout the admissions season (into April) on financial aid, scholarships searches and their newest segment, helping those not going to college prepare for life after high school, discussing skilled trades, apprenticeships, and certificate programs. Students and families seeking assistance are encouraged to contact NGF’s founder Anthony Gallonio directly at anthony@graceamerica.org.
In FY2026-27, Power:Ed will award $1,425,000 in grants to South Carolina education and career readiness nonprofit organizations. In its first quarter, Power:Ed awarded nine grants (including this grant to NGF) totaling $527,000. Grants are administered quarterly, and the next grant funding deadline is January 1, 2027.
About National GRACE Foundation
The National GRACE Foundation (NGF) is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that removes barriers to college and career success for young people impacted by pediatric cancer. Founded in 2011, NGF provides free, expert college admissions counseling, comprehensive financial aid advocacy, and wraparound support services to ensure that cancer survivors and their families can navigate postsecondary education successfully. NGF was founded to give back to everyone that helped when our daughter Grace was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric cancer. We are able to provide FREE services due to our vast network of volunteers and support.
About Power:Ed
Founded in 2019, Power:Ed, the philanthropy of SC Student Loan, is dedicated to creating opportunities for South Carolina’s youth and adults by supporting low-income, underserved, and first-generation students; improving access to college and degree completion; and creating pathways to quality workforce opportunities. SC-focused nonprofit organizations serving middle school through post-college talent interested in applying for a grant or partnering with Power:Ed, should visit power-ed.org.