21 Scholarships for Students With Disabilities
Many scholarships exist to help students with specific disabilities continue their education. Learn about scholarships for people with disabilities.
Updated August 22, 2022
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College is expensive for anyone — but paying for college can be even more difficult for students with disabilities. Scholarships and other forms of financial aid for students with disabilities can help them access the education necessary to pursue a rewarding career.
Below, learn about scholarships for students with disabilities.
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Scholarships for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students
Below, you'll find some scholarships specifically for students who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Sertoma Hard of Hearing or Deaf Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: The volunteer organization Sertoma works to improve the quality of life of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Applicants with 40dB bilateral hearing loss enrolled full-time in a bachelor's degree program may apply. Students need a 3.2 GPA or higher.
Graeme Clark Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Cochlear Americas, distributor of implants that treat hearing loss, offers this annual scholarship named in memory of the professor whose research led to the development of the "bionic ear." Applicants must have a Cochlear Nucleus Implant and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Help America Hear Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: High school seniors who are hard of hearing may apply for this annual scholarship. The application includes an essay that showcases applicant creativity, life experiences, and research ability.
Scholarships for Students With Visual Disabilities
Find some scholarships that help students with visual disabilities pay for college.
American Council of the Blind Scholarship Program
Who Is Eligible: Applicants must be legally blind with a 3.0 GPA or higher. The scholarship accepts full-time students and part-time students working 32 hours or more each week. The application must include two letters of recommendation and details of community involvement. Winners attend ACB's annual conference.
Blind Service Association Scholarships
Who Is Eligible: The organization presents 20-30 scholarships each year to students seeking college or professional education. The scholarship guidelines consider academic achievement, community involvement, and financial need. Students must live in one of the six counties in the Chicago area served by the organization.
Team See Possibilities Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Applicants must meet Supplemental Security Income guidelines to be considered legally blind. Students may pursue undergraduate or graduate degrees or a professional trade. In 2021, the organization awarded 18 scholarships. In addition to the financial award, students also benefit from the organization's mentorship program.
Lighthouse Guild Scholarships
Who Is Eligible: The organization awards up to 17 scholarships each year to legally blind students across the country. First-year students may apply. The scholarship considers academic merit, and students can use funds for tuition, books, supplies, room and board, and other educational expenses.
Scholarships for Students With Developmental Disabilities
If you have a developmental disability, here are some scholarships you might be eligible for.
Ruby's Rainbow College Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Ruby's Rainbow supports scholarships for students with Down syndrome seeking postsecondary education and training. Applicants must be at least 18 by July 1 of the award year. The scholarship committee considers personal goals, accomplishments, and community impact.
Adults with Autism Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Autism Delaware offers this scholarship to adults in the state seeking a college degree or postsecondary certification. Applicants must provide a cover letter discussing career plans, a resume, letters of recommendation, and evidence of an Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Hydrocephalus Association Scholarship Program
Who Is Eligible: The Hydrocephalus Association awards 12 scholarships each year to support students living with the challenges of hydrocephalus: excess fluid in the brain's cavities. The application must include letters of recommendation and acceptance at a college, trade school, or accredited training program.
Kerry Magro Scholarship Program
Who Is Eligible: Current high school and college students may apply for this annual award to attend a postsecondary institution in the 2022-2023 school year. The application requires a short biography, an Autism Spectrum diagnosis, a resume, a letter of reference, and an essay.
ABC Law Centers Cerebral Palsy Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: This scholarship welcomes applications from students with cerebral palsy and a 3.0 or higher GPA seeking to enroll in an accredited college or university. The application requires an essay or a creative project.
Scholarships for Students With Psychiatric Disabilities
Here are some scholarships for students with psychiatric disabilities, such as anxiety and bipolar disorder.
Jared Monroe Foundation Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: Graduating high school seniors and students in their first three years of college diagnosed with and in treatment for bipolar disorder may apply for this scholarship. The application requirements include an essay and student transcripts. Students can use the award for tuition, books, housing, and other educational expenses.
Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: High school seniors and college undergraduate and graduate students may apply. Applicants must have personally experienced challenges related to mental health or have had people close to them experience mental health issues. All majors and GPAs considered.
RCA Hope for Addiction Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: The scholarship program supports individuals entering addiction treatment careers, with students pursuing any major encouraged to apply. The application asks for an essay, short biography, and information on your college, university, or trade school.
The Center for Reintegration Scholarship Program
Who Is Eligible: Individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder may apply for this scholarship, which supports full-time and part-time students seeking a degree or certificate from accredited schools and training programs. The scholarship committee considers the student's essay, recommendations, transcripts, and their cost of tuition and fees.
Other Scholarships for Students With Disabilities
The following are more scholarships for students with disabilities. You can also find additional scholarship resources through employers, private foundations, or civic organizations. Learn more about additional resources and career planning for students with disabilities.
180 Medical Scholarship Program
Who Is Eligible: Applicants must be under a doctor's care for conditions such as spinal cord injury, spina bifida, transverse myelitis, neurogenic bladder, or ostomy. 180 Medical provides home medical equipment to assist patients with spinal cord injuries and other conditions. The scholarship supports undergraduate study at two-year and four-year colleges or graduate study.
Marion Huber Learning Through Listening Awards
Who Is Eligible: Part of Learning Ally's National Achievement Awards program, the Marion Huber award recognizes high school seniors with learning disabilities for academic achievement, leadership, and service. The selection committee selects top winners and special honors winners.
Microsoft Disability Scholarship
Who Is Eligible: This disability scholarships program welcomes applications from high school seniors living with a disability who plan to study engineering, computer science, business, law, or related fields at a two- or four-year college. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or higher and demonstrate financial need.
disABLEDperson, Inc. National Scholarship Competition for College Students with Disabilities
Who Is Eligible: To support students with disabilities in their educational pursuits, disABLEDperson, Inc. offers two scholarships each year, one in the spring and one in the fall. Applicants register online with a 1,000-word essay. Students must attend an accredited two- or four-year college as full-time students unless their disability prevents full-time enrollment.
Wells Fargo Scholarship Program for People with Disabilities
Who Is Eligible: Applicants must have an identified disability and a minimum 3.0 GPA. The scholarship accepts part-time and full-time students attending accredited two- or four-year colleges. Students may renew the award if they maintain at least a 2.5 GPA.
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Angelique Geehan
Angelique Geehan works to support and repair the connections people have with themselves and their families, communities, and cultural practices. A queer, Asian, gender binary-nonconforming parent, Geehan founded Interchange, a consulting group that offers anti-oppression support. She organizes as part of several groups, including the National Perinatal Association's Health Equity Workgroup, the Health and Healing Justice Committee of the National Queer and Trans Asian and Pacific Islander Alliance, QTPOC+ Family Circle, and Batalá Houston.
Angelique Geehan is a paid member of the Red Ventures Education freelance review network.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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