About the Jack & Julie Narcolepsy Scholarship:

Project Sleep’s Jack & Julie Narcolepsy Scholarship supports students with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia, and fosters awareness within high school and college settings. Students diagnosed with narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia who will be starting their first semester at a four-year college or university are encouraged to apply.

What is narcolepsy? Idiopathic hypersomnia?

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder of the sleep/wake cycle, affecting 1 in 2,000 people, including 200,000 Americans. Experts state that, “For children with narcolepsy, the stigma of increased daytime sleep can affect social acceptance and increases risk of psychiatric disorders, obesity, and depressive symptoms.” Idiopathic hypersomnia is a chronic neurological disorder marked by an insatiable need to sleep that is not erased by a full night’s slumber.

Greater awareness of these conditions will decrease stigma — and lead to quicker diagnoses.

Meet Jack:

Jack was diagnosed with narcolepsy at age 15, with symptoms developing earlier. He faced challenges in the classroom, yet diagnosis and treatment helped him excel in high school and college. In 2018, Jack graduated from the University of Arizona, with a major in Economics and minors in Business Administration and Psychology. He is currently working in software sales in San Diego, CA. The adversity Jack faced in school inspired his family to co-found this scholarship with Julie Flygare.

Meet Julie:

Julie Flygare, J.D. is the President & CEO of Project Sleep and author of Wide Awake and Dreaming: A Memoir of Narcolepsy. She was diagnosed with narcolepsy at age 24, during her second year of law school. After graduating, Julie dedicated herself to raising awareness about narcolepsy. Read her blog at www.julieflygare.com.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Am I eligible to apply for the Jack & Julie Narcolepsy Scholarship?

A: To be considered for the scholarship, you must meet all three of the following requirements:

1. You are a high school senior or high school graduate starting your first semester of college in the United States.
2. You are planning to attend a four-year college or university.
3. You have a diagnosis of narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia (confirmation of diagnosis by a medical professional is required).

Q: When do scholarship applications open?

A: Applications for the following Fall semester open annually in January. Sign up to receive scholarship e-updates and other sleep community news from Project Sleep!

Q: When are applications due?

A: Applications are due on April 1st at 11:59PM PT.

Q: Can I have an extension on the application deadline?

A: In order to ensure fairness to all scholarship applicants, we do not grant extensions on the application deadline.

Q: What do I need to include with my application?

A: The following must be included in your submission for your application to be considered complete:

1. One personal essay response to to the topic below (500–1000 words):
   If you could go back in time and speak to yourself on the day you were diagnosed, what would you say? What advice or perspective would you share with your younger self? Please write a letter to yourself on your diagnosis day.
2. A list of extracurricular activities including but not limited to: clubs/organizations, employment and volunteer experience, and honors, officer, or leadership roles
3. A transcript of grades completed through the most recent semester
4. Signed Diagnosis Confirmation Form from an accredited sleep doctor or neurologist
5. A professional-style headshot or portrait photo

Please note that applications will not be reviewed until all submission requirements have been fulfilled.

Q: When will I find out if I was awarded a scholarship?

A: Scholarship recipients will be notified by June 30.

Q: How and when are awards disbursed?

A: Awards will be distributed to recipients by July 31.

Q: If I receive a scholarship, are there any additional requirements?

A: Scholarship awardees are required to submit responses to a brief “college update” survey in the Fall semester, along with a photo of themselves at college.

Q: What if I don’t qualify or don’t receive a scholarship? Are there other scholarships for students with narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia?

A: There are many more well-deserving students with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia than we can support as a small non-profit with limited funding at this time. Please know that we are cheering for you as you seek to advance your education! Please see our Additional Resources for Students with Narcolepsy page for other scholarship opportunities.

Q: Can I receive this scholarship more than once?

A: This is a one-time award given to students starting their first semester of college only. Please visit our Additional Resources for Students with Narcolepsy page for information about other scholarship opportunities.

Still have questions? Email us at scholarship@project-sleep.com and we’ll be happy to help. Thank you!

We are a small non-profit supporting big dreams.

Partner with Project Sleep, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, to honor students with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia while raising critical awareness in high schools and colleges across the country. Your tax-deductible gift will give more students the opportunity to receive this scholarship. Please click here to donate. Thank you!

Resources for Students and Supporters

Jack & Julie Narcolepsy Scholarship News