MaryEllen Locher Fund Opens 2027-28 Scholarship Applications
The Chattanooga-based fund is accepting applications from students affected by breast cancer in their families until February 26, 2027.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Scholarships
The MaryEllen Locher Scholarship Fund is accepting applications for the 2027-2028 school year. Scholarships go to children who have lost a parent to breast cancer, have a parent in treatment, or have a parent who is a survivor.
Why it matters
The fund offers financial support to students whose families have been affected by breast cancer, a population it has served since its founding in 2002. Chattanooga-area students and families are the primary eligible community under the fund's 50-mile radius rule.
The fund has awarded more than $1.4 million to nearly 681 students since 2002, according to its published totals. The total scholarship pool and number of awards for the 2027-2028 cycle have not been announced.
The players
MaryEllen Locher Scholarship Fund
An independent nonprofit founded in 2002 that provides scholarships to children affected by breast cancer in the Chattanooga area.
MaryEllen Locher
A longtime news anchor and health reporter for WTVC in Chattanooga whose work on health issues preceded her own death from breast cancer in 2005.
The details
Applicants must be current college students or high school seniors living within a 50-mile radius of Chattanooga and submit materials through the fund's online grant platform. Scholarship money is raised through special events, individual and corporate donations, and private grants, and some local high school Pink Out fundraisers have directed proceeds to the fund.
Timeline
2002: The fund was founded as an independent nonprofit by MaryEllen Locher.
2005: Locher died of breast cancer.
Feb. 26, 2027, 11:59 p.m.: Application deadline.
Spring 2027: Scholarship recipients will be announced.
Season Trajectory
The 2027-2028 application cycle continues a program that has operated since 2002 under the fund's founder-era mission. The fund's award history of more than $1.4 million since inception shows a consistent, long-running commitment to students affected by breast cancer in Chattanooga.
Eligible students can apply through the fund's online grant platform at maryellenlocherscholarshipfund.grantplatform.com before the February 26, 2027 deadline. Applicants must be current college students or high school seniors living within 50 miles of Chattanooga.
The takeaway
Students whose families have been touched by breast cancer should check eligibility and start their application well before the February deadline. Local schools and community groups also support the fund through fundraisers such as Pink Out events.
What happens next
Applications close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2027, and recipients will be announced in Spring 2027.
Further reading
Explore more Scholarships options for Chattanooga students and families.
More information
Apply through the MaryEllen Locher scholarship application portal before the February 26, 2027 deadline.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chattanoogan.
