Graham Stedman Neal Diabetes Fund

Funded by Virginia Tech, The Graham Stedman Neal Diabetes Fund provides program/scholarship support for accommodations, services, and resources for students whose lives have been impacted by type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or other autoimmune diseases. Students with Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, or other autoimmune diseases are required to monitor and manage their blood sugar levels multiple times a day. In addition to the economic cost of insulin and supplies, there is often an emotional cost. On July 2, 2023, the Neal Family lost their 35-year-old son and brother, Graham Stedman Neal, from complications due to Type 1 diabetes, specifically from Diabetic Ketoacidosis. In honor of Graham, the Neal Family has created the Graham Stedman Neal Diabetes Endowment to provide financial assistance and encouragement to college students impacted by diabetes.

Award
Varies
Deadline
06/30/2026
Supplemental Questions
  1. If selected, are you okay with your name and photo being associated with this scholarship at SSD's annual awards celebration and/or Student Affairs awards celebration, VT news article, local news, etc.?
  2. If selected, do you understand your scholarship award is contingent on full-time enrollment?
  3. Please submit either a written essay (250-700 words) OR a presentation in any media (about 10 minutes in length). If selecting a presentation in any media, provide a shareable link with permissions set to allow the committee chair, Mya Hooks (myah3@vt.edu), access to your presentation. Note: only one option is required.
  4. Written essay (250-700 words): Please describe a specific challenge that created financial or educational barriers in managing Type 1 diabetes. What strengths have you developed because of your experience with Type 1 diabetes, and how do those strengths help you in college? If you could create one resource, program, or support tool to help students with Type 1 diabetes in college, what would it be and why?
  5. Presentation in any media (video, PowerPoint, voice recording, etc., about 10 minutes in length): Please describe a specific challenge that created financial or educational barriers in managing Type 1 diabetes. What strengths have you developed because of your experience with Type 1 diabetes, and how do those strengths help you in college? If you could create one resource, program, or support tool to help students with Type 1 diabetes in college, what would it be and why? Provide a shareable link with permissions set to allow the committee chair, Mya Hooks (myah3@vt.edu), access to your presentation.