Scholarships
The scholarships listed here are for people with disabilities and come from foundations, organizations, or a broad range of other committed providers. The scholarships are open to all college students with disabilities, including students with learning disabilities. Visit the sites for the most up-to-date information regarding application procedures and deadlines.
1-800Wheelchair.com Scholarship
Students applying for scholarship must be at least 16, enrolled at an accredited high school, college or university, a legal resident of the U.S., in good academic standing, and must complete an application essay. Preference will be given to students with mobility disabilities.
Anne Ford Scholarship
The Anne Ford Scholarship is a $10,000 award given to a high school senior with an identified learning disability (LD) who will be pursuing a four-year undergraduate degree. Financial data: The $10,000 scholarship will be paid in four yearly installments.
Allegra Ford Scholarship
The Allegra Ford Scholarship is a $2,500 one-time scholarship awarded to a graduating high school senior with a documented learning disability who will be enrolled in a two-year community college, a vocational or technical training program, or a specialized program for students with LD.
American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) Scholarship Program
In 2009, AAHD created the AAHD Scholarship Program, which supports students with disabilities pursuing higher education. The AAHD board and staff are excited to be able to offer this program and support the efforts and dedication of students who have chosen to pursue higher education in the disability and health fields. Scholarships will be limited to under $1,000.
AXIS Dance Company Physically Integrated Dance Summer Intensive Scholarships
AXIS is an integrated dance company for people with and without physical disabilities. Their summer intensive program invites dancers of all abilities to study and explore physically integrated dance. Dancers must be 18+. Partial and full scholarships are available.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students (including students with disabilities) who are receiving federal Pell Grant funding at a 2-year or 4-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide.
ChairScholars Scholarship
Scholarship for students with physical disabilities. Applicants must be a high school senior or college freshman with at least a B+ average. Applicants must have a need for financial aid and have also performed community service in the past. There are fifteen to twenty recipients each year.
Exceptional Nurse
Exceptional Nurse offers 8 scholarships with awards ranging from $250 to $500. Applicants must be students with a documented disability who have applied to, or already been admitted to, a college or university program on a full-time basis.
Google Lime Scholarship Program
Scholarships for students with disabilities studying computer science or computer engineering. $10,000USD worth of scholarships for students studying in the U.S. and $5,000CAD for students studying in Canada. Student must entering their junior or senior year of undergraduate study, or be a graduate student. Select students will also be invited to a paid retreat at the Googleplex in Mountain View, CA.
Hydrocephalus Association Scholarship
The Association offers scholarships to young adults with hydrocephalus. Scholarships are $500 each. Please call our office: (415) 732-7040; toll free (888) 598-3789. Please be sure to give us your full name, mailing address, phone number and e-mail. You can also request an application via e-mail. Applicants must be between 17 and 30 years old and have hydrocephalus. Funds must be used for an educational purpose: a four-year or junior college, a high school post-graduate year to prepare for college, technical or trade school, an accredited employment-training program or a post-graduate program. The scholarship funds may be used for tuition, books, housing or an expense directly related to the education experience.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Scholarship
Provides scholarships for people with MS or children who have a parent with MS. Applicants must be planning to attend an accredited postsecondary school for the first time and enroll in at least six credit hours per semester in coursework leading to a degree, license or certificate. Scholars are selected on the basis of financial need, academic performance, compelling personal or family circumstances, and an essay (written by the applicant) regarding the impact of MS on their life.
Schwallie Family Scholarship Program
Scholarships from the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) that assist individuals with Asperger Symdrome or autism who are pursuing post-secondary education. There are five different awards amounting to $3,000 each. The three award categories are for students attending a four-year college, students attending a two-year college, and students attending a trade, technical, or vocational school.
Spina Bifida Association Scholarship
To enhance opportunities for persons born with spina bifida to achieve their full potential through higher education. One-year and four-year scholarships are available.
SpinLife Innovation in Motion Scholarship Program
To assist students who are manual or power wheelchair-users in their academic endeavors. Students must be enrolled at an accredited 4-year educational institution at the undergraduate level. Financial data: $500. Number awarded: 2. (614) 564-1400 ext. 122; Email: collegescholarships@spinlife.com.
VSA International Young Soloists Award
The VSA International Young Soloists Award annually recognizes outstanding young musicians with disabilities and supports and encourages them in their pursuit of a career. All types of music are accepted, including country, classical, jazz, rap, rock, bluegrass, and world. A committee of distinguished music professionals selects the award recipients who receive $5,000 and the opportunity to perform in at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Any individual musician from the United States who has a disability, age 25 and under, is eligible to apply. Any individual musician from outside the United States who has a disability, age 30 and under, is eligible to apply. Musical ensembles of two to eight members may also apply for the award. This includes any type of ensemble from a rock band to a chamber ensemble to a drum corps. In order to be eligible, at least one member of the ensemble must have a disability. All members of the ensemble must fulfill the age requirements as stated above.
Yes I Can! Awards
The Yes I Can! Awards honor children and youth with disabilities who excel. Thousands of children and youth have been recognized since the program’s inception in 1982. If you have questions about the Yes I Can! Awards, please contact Diane Shinn at dianes@cec.sped.org or 703/264-9478.
