Scholarships for students with disabilities provide financial assistance to help cover tuition, fees, and other educational expenses. These scholarships are often designed to support students with various disabilities, including physical, mental, and learning disabilities. Here is a guide to some of the best scholarships available for students with disabilities, along with tips on how to find and apply for them:
1. Google Lime Scholarship
- Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, or PhD students with visible or invisible disabilities who are pursuing degrees in computer science or a related field.
- Award Amount: Varies.
- Application Process: Submit an application, resume, transcripts, and answer essay questions.
2. The AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability
- Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students who are pursuing studies related to health and disability.
- Award Amount: $1,000.
- Application Process: Submit an application, personal statement, and letters of recommendation.
3. Microsoft Disability Scholarship
- Eligibility: High school seniors with disabilities who plan to attend a vocational or academic college and major in engineering, computer science, law, business, or a related field.
- Award Amount: $5,000 per year, renewable for up to four years.
- Application Process: Submit an application, essay, letter of recommendation, and proof of disability.
4. The Wells Fargo Scholarship Program for People with Disabilities
- Eligibility: Full-time students with a documented disability who have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Award Amount: Up to $2,500 for full-time students and $1,250 for part-time students.
- Application Process: Submit an application, transcript, and documentation of disability.
5. The Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation Scholarship
- Eligibility: Women with physical disabilities who are pursuing graduate degrees.
- Award Amount: Up to $2,000.
- Application Process: Submit an application, personal statement, proof of enrollment, and documentation of disability.
6. The American Council of the Blind Scholarship
- Eligibility: Legally blind students who are pursuing post-secondary education.
- Award Amount: Varies.
- Application Process: Submit an application, proof of legal blindness, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
7. Incight Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students with disabilities who are attending college or university.
- Award Amount: $500 to $2,500.
- Application Process: Submit an application, essays, and proof of disability.
8. Disability Scholarships by the American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD)
- Eligibility: Students with disabilities who are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs.
- Award Amount: Varies.
- Application Process: Submit an application, transcripts, proof of disability, and a personal statement.
9. The NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students with disabilities who are pursuing communication or media-related degrees.
- Award Amount: $5,625.
- Application Process: Submit an application, resume, transcript, and proof of disability.
10. Autism Scholarship by OAR (Organization for Autism Research)
- Eligibility: Students with autism spectrum disorder who are pursuing post-secondary education.
- Award Amount: $3,000.
- Application Process: Submit an application, proof of diagnosis, personal statement, and transcripts.
Tips for Finding and Applying for Scholarships:
- Start Early: Begin your search well in advance of application deadlines.
- Utilize Online Resources: Use scholarship search engines like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and Disability.gov to find relevant scholarships.
- Check with Disability Services: Your college’s disability services office may have information on available scholarships.
- Prepare Documentation: Have all required documentation ready, including proof of disability, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
- Personalize Your Application: Tailor each application to the specific scholarship, highlighting how you meet the eligibility criteria.
- Write Strong Essays: Clearly articulate your educational and career goals, and how the scholarship will help you achieve them.
- Follow Instructions: Carefully follow all application instructions and ensure you meet all eligibility requirements.
By exploring these scholarships and following these tips, students with disabilities can find financial support to help them achieve their educational goals.