Disability is a catch-all word that is often used to define those who are different than the norm. While this can include those who have problems with their vision, hearing, or mobility; it can also be used for those who have moderate to severe learning disorders, mental health issues, and other illnesses that cause permanent or ongoing problems. These scholarships are meant to help those who have a disability continue through higher education and bring their unique perspectives to their professional roles in a variety of industries. The organizations and schools that offer these scholarships understand that, what makes you different allows you to bring something new to the table. These are the types of professionals we need in a changing world.
Ways to Help You Pay for Your College Tuition
Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
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AG Bell College Scholarship
Disability: Hearing Impairment
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 8
Eligibility for this award is limited to high-achieving students, minimum 3.25 GPA, that were diagnosed with bilateral hearing loss before the age of four. Applicants primary mode of communication must be spoken language and listening. In addition, eligible students must be attending an accredited university, enrolled in a four-year undergraduate or graduate degree program.
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George H. Nofer Scholarship
Disability: Hearing Impairment
Amount: $5,000 (3 Awards)
Deadline: April 12
The George H. Nofer Scholarship is awarded to full-time graduate students diagnosed with pre-lingual bilateral hearing loss which is moderately severe to profound. Recipients must be attending accredited institutions studying for a masters or doctoral degree in public policy or public administration. Eligible applicants must use listening and spoken language as their primary mode of communication. More specific, detailed requirements are available at the webpage listed above.
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Texas Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Memorial Foundation Asthma Scholarship
Disability: Asthma
Amount: $1,500 (3 awards)
Deadline: March 1
The Texas Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Society (TAAIS) Memorial Foundation offers a $1,500 award to three Texas high school seniors diagnosed with asthma. Applications must include two typed essays, a financial need letter from a parent or guardian, recommendation letters from one counselor and one teacher, a high school resume listing achievements, and high school transcripts. Funds awarded will be paid directly to the school of choice in the student’s name.
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Eric Dostie Memorial College Scholarship
Disability: Hemophilia
Amount: $1,000 (10 awards)
Deadline: March 1
Students diagnosed with hemophilia or similar disorders may apply for the Eric Dostie Memorial Scholarship. Eligible students must be U.S. citizens enrolled in a full-time, two- or four-year program. Applicants must submit an essay and provide proof of scholastic achievement, service to their community, and financial need.
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Marianjoy Scholarship
Disability: Physical Disability
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: March 29
Eligibility for the Marianjoy Scholarship is dependent upon documentation of a permanent, physical disability or other impairment. Applicants must also prove residency in one of seven Illinois counties. Accepted conditions for eligibility include:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cerebral palsy
- Guillain-Barre syndrome
- Brain injury
- Musculoskeletal impairment
- Spinal cord injury
- Stroke
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The Scott and Kim Verplank Foundation Scholarship
Disability: Diabetes
Amount: Up to $10,000
Deadline: April 15
The Scott and Kim Verplank Foundation sponsors renewable scholarships for high school seniors diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes who are planning for higher education. Recipients may use the award toward tuition, fees, and books. Eligibility is dependent upon being a U.S. citizen with a minimum 3.0 GPA who successfully completes the application process including supporting documentation of disability and letters of recommendation.
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Frederick J. Krause Scholarship
Disability: Mobility
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: November 15
The American Association of Health and Disability (AAHD) is a national organization committed to promoting health and wellness initiatives for children and adults with disabilities. The AAHD sponsors the Frederick J. Krause Scholarship in memory of a renowned disability advocate. Applicants must be sophomores or higher in an accredited, full-time undergraduate program, or part- or full-time in a graduate program.
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UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship
Disability: Epilepsy
Amount: Up to $5,000 (30 Awards); Up to $10,000 (2 Awards)
Deadline: Varies (Previously March 8)
A global biopharmaceutical company, UCB focuses their research on neurology and immunology. They offer scholarships to individuals living with epilepsy. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement along with personal accomplishments. Several awards are available including $10,000 in memory two prominent doctors known for their advocacy.
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RISE Scholarship
Disability: Learning Disabilities
Amount: $2,500 (6 Awards); $500 (Honorable-Mention Awards for each category)
Deadline: January
The RiSE Scholarship Foundation awards students with learning disabilities who exhibit the ability to overcome the challenges they have faced. Eligible applicants are college-bound high school seniors who are U.S. citizens with at least a 2.5 GPA. Documentation of a learning disability will be required with the application along with a letter of recommendation from a prominent member of their high school faculty.
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Google Lime Scholarship
Disability: Physical Disabilities
Amount: $10,000 (United States); $5,000 (Canada)
Deadline: Varies (Multiple Opportunities)
Lime Connect is a global organization that attracts, prepares, and connects students showing potential to private scholarships. Students with documented disabilities who are pursuing a Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or similar technical degree are eligible. Applicants must exhibit high academic performance, leadership abilities, and a passion for technology.
Additional Scholarships
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Disability: Autism
Scholarship: Autism Delaware
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 15
Website: https://www.delautism.org/scholarships/
The organization awards scholarship funds to students with disabilities as well as individuals pursuing degrees in an autism-related field. Autism Delaware offers three separate scholarships.
- The Daniel and Lois Gray Memorial Scholarship
- The Autism Teacher Certification Scholarship
- The Adult with Autism Scholarship
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Disability: Autism
Scholarship: Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: July 31
Website: https://www.perecman.com/avonte-oquendo/autism-scholarship/
Avonte Oquendo was a boy with autism who wandered away from school at the age of 14. Avonte didn’t make it home. In his memory funds are awarded to high-achieving autistic students and those who have a close family member dealing with autism. To apply students must be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited institution.
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Disability: Cerebral Palsy
Scholarship: MCPA Achievements and Abilities Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: July 31
Website: https://www.abclawcenters.com/birth-injury-caring-for-life-scholarship-2/
The Michigan Cerebral Palsy Attorneys sponsor an annual scholarship awarded to students who have Cerebral Palsy (CP) themselves or have a close family member with CP. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in a full-time program at an accredited university in the United States. Students must also hold a GPA of at least 3.0 to be eligible.
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Disability: Cerebral Palsy
Scholarship: The John Lepping Memorial Scholarship for Disabled Youth
Amount: Varies
Deadline: July 31
Website: http://www.lepfoundation.org/about-us
The John Lepping Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to disabled students seeking to further their education after high school. Students eligible for this award must be residents of New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania. Applicants must provide documentation to support their disability claim and be accepted to or enrolled in a post-secondary institution. This scholarship is available to students attending trade schools as well as colleges or universities.
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Disability: Hearing Disorders
Scholarship: Anders Tjellstrom Scholarship
Amount: $2,000 per year up to 4 years
Deadline: September 30
Website: https://www.cochlear.com/us/en/home/ongoing-care-and-support/connect-with-us/scholarships
Cochlear Corporation is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions. Their mission is to help people hear and be heard. Cochlear provides more than a half million implantable hearing devices annually. The scholarship is available to those who have been the recipients of the Baha implant. This scholarship was named for the man who was instrumental in the design of the device and has been instrumental in restoring hearing to thousands around the world.
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Disability: Hearing Disorders
Scholarship: American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation
Amount: $5,000 (Up to 15 Awards)
Deadline: May 15
Website: https://www.ashfoundation.org/apply/#Scholarships
To apply for this award students must be undergraduate seniors or currently enrolled in master’s programs pursuing degrees in communication sciences and disorders. Eligibility includes both research and clinical doctorate programs. Up to 15 separate awards are given annually.
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Disability: Speech Disorders
Scholarship: Karlind T. Moller Cleft/Craniofacial Scholarship in Speech Pathology
Amount: $500 for annual meeting; Amount for grants varies
Deadline: Varies
Website: https://acpa-cpf.org/education/grants-and-professional-awards/
The American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) offers a scholarship available to students in an accredited speech-language pathology program. Students must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in the U.S. and working on a project involving cleft palates or craniofacial anomalies, including family support.
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Disability: Visual Disorders
Scholarship: American Foundation for the Blind
Amount: $1,00 to $3,500
Deadline: April 1
Website: https://www.afb.org/about-afb/events-and-awards/afb-scholarships
Several scholarships are awarded annually to students who are legally or completely blind. Documentation of the student’s visual disorder is required along with high school transcripts, an application essay, and two letters of recommendation. Various awards are available to undergraduate and graduate students. Some may have additional application requirements.
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Disability: Visual Disorders
Scholarship: Lighthouse Guild
Amount: Varies
Deadline: March 31
Website: https://www.lighthouseguild.org/programs-services/scholarships
The Lighthouse Guild sponsors a number of merit-based scholarships to high school seniors headed to college. Eligibility requires proof of legal blindness, copies of transcripts and assessment test scores, two personal statements, and three letters of recommendation. An additional scholarship is available for graduate students.
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Disability: Physical Disabilities
Scholarship: 1-800 Wheelchair Scholarship
Amount: $500 (Up to 2 Awards per year)
Deadline: May 1
Website: https://www.1800wheelchair.com/scholarship/
Two awards are available annually for students dealing with mobility issues. To be eligible students must be at least 16-years-old and enrolled in an accredited high school or post-secondary school in the United States. Application requirements vary each year. For 2019 a visual poem was required along with a personal statement explaining a challenge the student has faced due to their disability.
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Disability: Physical Disabilities
Scholarship: AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability
Amount: Up to $1,000
Deadline: November 15
Website: https://www.aahd.us/initiatives/scholarship-program/
Applicants for this award must be college sophomores or higher with a documented disability who are pursuing a degree in fields related to health and disabilities. Eligible programs include Public Health, Disability Research, Rehabilitation Engineering, and Audiology, among others.