If you are a student with disabilities, you have come to the perfect spot! As shown in the following list, there are numerous scholarships available for students with disabilities, encompassing physical and mental impairments.
Additionally, our list comprises scholarships specifically for individuals with certain inflammatory diseases and cancer. It’s important to note that certain scholarships for disabled students may require supporting documentation, so it’s advisable to allow yourself sufficient time to complete the application process.
The financial impact of pursuing a college education has an influence on every student, but individuals with disabilities may encounter amplified difficulties and need extra assistance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 61 million individuals in the United States are living with a disability. These disabilities encompass a wide range of conditions, including physical limitations like mobility and hearing problems, as well as cognitive challenges such as dyslexia and language disorders.
Types Of Disabilities In Students
The subsequent compilation explores the typical categories of disabilities encountered by students. Individuals seeking further information regarding particular disabilities and their recognition under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and educational establishments should refer to the ADA website or seek guidance from their prospective schools.
Intellectual And Learning Disabilities:
Students who have learning and intellectual disabilities encounter distinct obstacles in their academic and career paths. According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, these students are subjected to a higher number of disciplinary actions and are nearly three times more likely to drop out compared to their peers without disabilities. Typical examples of learning disabilities include dyslexia, language disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Physical Impairments:
Although the ADA mandates that educational institutions must offer equitable educational opportunities to students with physical disabilities, many individuals with physical ailments face difficulties in conventional learning settings. Particularly, students pursuing degrees who have mobility or travel restrictions or neurological conditions often need supplementary adjustments, supportive services, and assistive technologies, leading to additional expenses.
Hearing And Visual Disabilities:
Students who have visual or hearing impairments need extra assistance to access educational resources and achieve the same level of equality as their peers. The National Federation of the Blind reports that in 2016, only slightly more than 15% of visually impaired individuals obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is less than half of the overall national average for all students. To enhance this statistic, it is necessary to ensure that consistent and easily accessible financial, academic, and personal support services are made available to these learners.
Language Or Speech Disorders:
Effective communication is vital in the field of education, making it particularly challenging for students who experience speech and language disorders compared to their peers. According to LD Online, approximately 10% of individuals in the country are affected by speech disorders. These disorders can arise from various factors such as neurological conditions, brain injuries, or physical limitations such as cleft lips.
Conditions Of Chronic Illness:
Long-term health conditions can significantly impact an individual’s everyday existence. These ailments frequently result in pain and uneasiness, which can restrict a person’s capacity to engage in studying or work activities during a particular day, consequently restricting their educational prospects. As per the CDC, over 60% of adults in the United States experience the effects of at least one persistent condition, such as asthma, diabetes, Chronic disease, or fibromyalgia.
Mental Health Conditions:
As understanding of mental health conditions and their consequences continues to expand, schools have also made strides in providing assistance and adjustments. However, students with mental health issues still require additional support. The World Health Organization reports that approximately 25% of the global population is affected by conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Additional Developmental Disorders Besides Autism:
Degree-seekers who are on the autism spectrum face distinctive hurdles when it comes to pursuing higher education. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that around 1 in 6 Americans experience a developmental disorder such as autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or social anxiety. To enhance educational opportunities for students with developmental disabilities, it is crucial for educational institutions and government organizations to establish supportive services and programs.
Partial Scholarships For Students With Disabilities
Although it is important for students to conduct their own research to discover scholarships that align with their unique situation and conditions, the following compilation serves as an excellent starting point. We present a selection of top scholarships available to students with disabilities, along with relevant application information.
Disability Scholarship From Microsoft:
This scholarship, created by Microsoft, offers assistance to students with disabilities in the field of technology, enabling them to pursue degrees and establish careers in the technology industry. To be eligible, applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.0 and are required to submit letters of recommendation, three essays, and their transcripts. Additionally, candidates should showcase their leadership abilities within their communities.
National Scholarship For Disabled College Students:
The creation of this scholarship aims to assist students who have disabilities. It offers recognition to individuals who showcase exceptional personal essays and show potential in their educational and career paths. To be eligible, candidates must be enrolled in a two- or four-year program, provide documentation of their disability, and submit a personal essay.
The Scholarship Fund For Joe Cleres and Don Sage:
The New Outlook Pioneers Memorial Scholarships is a program that acknowledges accomplished students with disabilities. It specifically targets graduating high school seniors who have physical or learning impairments. In order to apply, candidates are required to provide their academic records, letters of recommendation, and personal essays.
Tony Coelho Scholarship For Media At NBC Universal:
Administered by the American Association of People with Disabilities and financially supported by NBC Universal, this scholarship recognizes talented individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants must be actively enrolled in a post-secondary educational program and demonstrate a career interest in communications or the entertainment sector. As part of the application process, candidates are required to submit three essays, provide evidence of their disability, furnish transcripts, and secure a letter of recommendation.
The INCIGHT Award:
This scholarship is designed to assist students with disabilities who are seeking to further their education. To be eligible, candidates must showcase a strong engagement with their communities and be currently enrolled in a college or university located in Oregon, Washington, or California. INCIGHT selects recipients based on their academic achievements and contributions to their communities. Upon receiving the scholarship, each awardee is required to complete an additional 30 hours of community service.
Annual Scholarship From The Jack Scura Fund:
Administered by the Scura Law Firm, this scholarship initiative acknowledges outstanding students who have disabilities and contribute significantly to their communities. Eligibility requires applicants to possess documented disabilities, maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA, and exhibit a compelling resume. Furthermore, candidates must be enrolled in programs offered by colleges and universities in New Jersey. To apply, individuals must provide letters of recommendation along with an essay.
Scholarship For Students With Disabilities:
This initiative, established by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation, offers financial assistance to talented students with disabilities who are pursuing either two- or four-year degrees. Additionally, applicants may be required to showcase their engagement in community activities, display leadership qualities, and exhibit financial need.
Google Scholarship For Lime:
Google provides a scholarship opportunity for college or university students who have disabilities, with the goal of assisting the potential trailblazers of tomorrow. Individuals who are interested in applying should be enrolled in full-time programs pursuing degrees in computer science or computer engineering. A panel of judges assesses applicants based on their academic achievements and enthusiasm for technology. Recipients of the scholarship are also granted the privilege of attending the Google Scholars’ Retreat.
Steps To Apply
When students seek scholarships, it is important for them to dedicate sufficient time to preparation and planning well in advance. It is advisable to start by conducting extensive research to identify all the scholarships that they are eligible for. It is beneficial to create a calendar containing the deadlines for each award to stay organized and on schedule.
Many scholarships prioritize academic achievement and involvement in the community, so applicants should strive to enhance their academic performance, especially during their junior year of high school, and actively seek local volunteering opportunities. Before initiating the application process, candidates should gather necessary materials beforehand, including transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal essays.
By completing these preliminary steps, students can then devote their time to each application, ultimately increasing their chances of securing more scholarships. This approach also enables them to focus on scholarships that require additional effort. Although the application timelines may vary for each award, typically they occur in the fall or spring. To optimize their chances, applicants should apply to a manageable number of scholarships and avoid wasting time on unlikely prospects.
Conclusion:
Students who have disabilities can access a range of awards. Certain awards are available to specific disability groups with fewer restrictions, while others require academic accomplishments, affiliation with specific groups or organizations, or enrollment in particular schools. The scholarship amounts offered also differ significantly.
