Q: What is the timeline for West Coast Conference scholarship awards? 
A: The timeline is outlined below. Please note that Cancer and Careers reserves the right to edit or modify this program and timeline at any time. 

• Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM PT on September 9th or until we have received 50 applications. Therefore, anyone interested in applying for a scholarship is encouraged to do so as soon as possible.
• Saturday, October 26, 2019: West Coast Conference on Work & Cancer, in Los Angeles.
• Monday, November 4, 2019: Submit travel and/or lodging receipts and testimonial.
• Mid-November 2019: Reimbursement process begins for all award recipients who attended the conference, and submitted both a completed evaluation and the required post-conference testimonial.

Q: How are award recipients notified? 
A: Recipients will be notified via phone and/or email on a rolling basis starting mid-May 2019 and continuing into early September 2019.  

Q: Can I apply for a scholarship if I don’t live on the West Coast? 

A: Because this is a regional conference, we are accepting applications only from residents of West Coast states, and those that surround them.

If you do not live on the West Coast, you are welcome to apply for a travel scholarship to attend our National Conference on Work & Cancer, in New York City, in June 2020, when that application period opens in January. More details are available here. 

Q: What happens once I’ve been awarded a scholarship? 
A: After being awarded a scholarship, it will be your responsibility to schedule your own travel and/or lodging, and to pay for these expenses up front. Your award notification will indicate the maximum reimbursement amount for which you are eligible, as well as the specific expenses that qualify for reimbursement.  

Q: How does reimbursement work? 
A: Reimbursements will be made shortly following the Conference to all recipients who attend the entire event and complete all required steps specified in the award letter. Reimbursements will be made only if Cancer and Careers receives relevant receipts and all other requirements are met within the specified timeline. 

If this reimbursement policy creates a financial hardship, we encourage you to apply anyway as exceptions may be made on a case by case basis after recipients have been selected through our blind review process. Please contact Cancer and Careers at cancerandcareers@cew.org with any questions.

Q: What if I can’t afford to pay for my travel/lodging up front? 
A: If you are awarded a travel scholarship but find that paying for travel and/or lodging up front creates an undue financial hardship, please notify Cancer and Careers and we will do what we can to accommodate you.

Q: Am I required to purchase travel insurance? 
A: Travel insurance is not required; however, we strongly encourage all scholarship recipients to purchase it. If you experience a last-minute emergency that causes you to not be able to attend the Conference, having travel insurance will enable you to receive a refund for any travel expenses you have already paid. Again, please note that reimbursements will be made only to those scholarship recipients who attend the Conference for the full day, submit a completed evaluation and provide the required testimonial. 

Q: Do I need to attend the Conference for the entire day to ensure I am reimbursed? 
A: Yes. Pending mitigating circumstances, we request that you arrive in time for the morning Welcome session and stay until the Conference concludes, at 4:30 PM PST. 

Q: Can I apply for a travel scholarship if I received one for a prior Cancer and Careers conference? 
A: We are sorry, but past scholarship recipients are not eligible to apply for a second award.

Q: I have another question, which is not addressed here. 
A: Please reach out to us Cancer and Careers at cancerandcareers@cew.org or 646-929-8032 and we will be happy to assist you.