Karen L. Baker Scholarship

The Karen L Baker Scholarship is in honor of Karen L. Baker. She was a full-time working mother of two who bravely fought liposarcoma, a rare form of soft-tissue cancer. With the support of her friends and her family, Karen showed exceptional courage through eight years of treatments to fight her cancer. On November 3, 2016, Karen’s fight ended. Her legacy will continue through you.

In honor of Karen’s bravery, Rise Together Cancer Found offers you the opportunity to apply for a special college scholarship. At the end of the 2025-26 academic year, 4 qualifying students graduating from a Chester County high school will be awarded college scholarships from the Rise Together Cancer Foundation.

  • Award Description

    Karen L. Baker Scholarship: $10,000 scholarship for college attendance, paid in four consecutive annual payments of $2,500 per (2 recipients)

    Karen L. Baker Scholarship Honorable Mention: One time $2,500 grant (2 recipients)

    *Yearly award contingent on college student maintaining a 3.0 GPA or better*

  • Award Criteria

    Completed applicant information form

    2026 Graduation from a Chester County High School

    Attendance at a four-year accredited college

    Current GPA of 3.0 or higher (high school transcript to be submitted with application)

    Applicant directly impacted by cancer, either by illness of applying student, a family member, or someone close to them. A 1,000- to 1,500-word essay to be submitted with application.

  • Timeline

    This scholarship will be administered by the Rise Together Cancer Foundation. Applications should be submitted no later than Friday, March 20, 2026.

    The Karen L. Baker Scholarship Committee will review all applications. Scholarship recipients will be notified during their senior awards ceremony. 

Apply Here