Financial Aid for Students With Disabilities

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students with disabilities made up over 20% of undergraduate students in 2020. Data shows that ADHD is the most common disability, followed by other learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder.

As a student with a disability, you can qualify for financial aid opportunities by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, you may also qualify for non-educational aid like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you have proof from a medical professional, the Social Security Administration, or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Read on to learn how you may qualify for federal and social security financial aid and what scholarships you may be eligible for.

As a student with a disability, you may be able to qualify for federal financial aid, social security income, and private scholarships.

One option that helps many students with disabilities pay for college is federal financial aid, including the Pell Grant. All students must complete the FAFSA to receive federal financial assistance.

Pell Grants are income-based grants for students with financial need. These do not need to be repaid. You’ll receive a Student Aid Index (SAI) of how much you’re expected to pay for college. The maximum Pell Grant for the 2025-26 academic year is $7,395.

Students with SSDI or SSI are also welcome to submit a FAFSA form, and the Pell Grant does not impact your eligibility to receive disability compensation.

The federal FAFSA deadline is on June 30 of the school year for which you need aid. However, some states and schools award financial aid on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, it is important to submit your FAFSA as early as you can.

Social Security Disability Insurance provides monthly benefits to individuals with disabilities and their eligible family members based on their work history and the payment of Social Security taxes. The benefit amount is determined by your length of employment and your earnings during that period.

SSDI itself does not pay for you to go to college; however, if you receive benefits, you may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation benefits, which can pay for postsecondary education, on-the-job training, assistive technology, and career counseling.

However, you may not be automatically eligible for SSDI. To qualify, you’ll need to fulfill certain criteria established by the Social Security Administration, which can include medical documentation from a medical professional or the VA.

Supplemental Security Income provides financial assistance to older adults and/or those with disabilities. To qualify for SSI, you must be over the age of 65 or be any age with a disability or blindness. You must also possess limited income and resources to sustain yourself.

Many states provide additional support on top of federal benefits, including food assistance, healthcare services, and supplemental income payments. While students can work and receive SSI, the program does have limitations on earned income.

Below, we compiled a list of just a few of the many specialized scholarships for students with disabilities. These are awards you don’t have to pay back, and they can reduce the out-of-pocket cost of earning a degree by thousands of dollars.