In today’s world, getting a higher education degree can get very challenging because of the rising tuition costs and access to quality educational degrees. Getting a higher education degree can get even more challenging for students with disabilities. Luckily, many organizations provide scholarships for students with disabilities. Various organizations, such as private, public, corporations, governmental agencies, educational institutions, etc., provide disability scholarships. These scholarships help the students to explore better opportunities and pay for their higher education as well.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2019, about 19.3% of individuals with disabilities are employed than people with no disability, which means that the number of employed disabled individuals is more than that of individuals with no disability. And according toPew Research Center analysis for the year 2017-18, about 34% of disabled students suffered from a specific learning disability. The best part of all the study or research is that these individuals show the grit to pursue higher education by taking up disability scholarships and other sources and try to lead an independent life. In this guide, we will walk you through several different types of scholarships for students with disabilities.
Top 10 Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
Scholarships for students with disabilities encourage enthusiastic students towards higher education the challenges. Many institutions are coming forward to assist students with disabilities. While we show dozens of scholarships in this guide, here are the top 10 scholarships for students with disabilities:
The scholarship concept is quite different from loans as the scholarships assure you of bearing your tuition fees and books, rooms, boarding, and other expenses without any need to return the amount. Whereas, when a student applies for loans, then it is a must to repay the debt. Many students with disabilities are confidently taking up higher education because of the many financing options like disability scholarships, grants, and many more. Below is the list of disability scholarships based on the situation.
Scholarships for General Disabilities
The disability of an individual does not constrain to any particular disease. Any physical or mental inability that hampers the chances of leading an everyday life is known as a disability. This is why many institutions are coming forward to support by offering scholarships for students with disabilities. These scholarship programs help students lead a stable academic career and further study their interest areas. Below is the list of scholarships for general disability.
BRAF Cheryl D. Conkling Memorial Scholarship is granted for hearing challenged students and particularly the ones who are interested in pursuing higher education irrespective of the hardships.
CSU Dale scholarship was started in the memory of Mr. Dale M. Schoettler, who became a famous and successful business in California despite being visually impaired.
Students who are clinically suffering from hearing disability and are pursuing four-year college degrees in any discipline are eligible for Sertoma Hard of hearing.
The Anne Ford Scholarship is given to students graduating high school senior with learning disabilities or ADHD. The scholarship is provided for full-year graduation (four-year program).
Alabama Scholarships are given to students whose parents are blind, especially the head of the family. Also, the parents and the student should be a resident of Alabama for at least five years.
Application deadline
Varies
Award amount
Varies
Caroline Kark Award
This award is given to a student with hearing impairment and furthering for higher education. It is also given to an individual preparing to serve/take up a career to work with the deaf.
Students diagnosed with hemophilia or any blood disorder are granted the Matrix Health Group Memorial Scholarship program. This scholarship assists the students through their higher education.
Millie Brothers CODA International scholarship is granted to students whose parents are deaf or suffering from hearing impairment. The scholarship can be either used for graduate study or undergraduate.
Application deadline
April 2021
Award amount
$3,000
ADHD Scholarships
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a form of disability. Individuals who have ADHD go through hyperactive and impulsive behaviors. ADHD scholarships are granted for students who are interested in and passionate about taking up academic programs. Scholarships for students with ADHD will help them to go ahead with their pursuit of higher education.
Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarships is offered to students with documented learning disability or ADHD and are enrolling in specialized programs. This scholarship is awarded for a two-year duration.
Sidney R. Baer Jr. Foundation, along with the Center for Reintegration, is offering the Baer Reintegration Scholarship. This scholarship is given to the mentally ill students that carry the zeal to their goals and dreams. This scholarship supports mostly covers all the educational costs of the student.
Buckfire Law Scholarship is offered to students with mental health issues. This scholarship is available for students of any age and supports them through their educational process.
Many students in today’s world are diagnosed with autism. This doesn’t stop these brave students from pursuing education. There are many scholarships available for students with autism. Here is a list of scholarships for students with autism.
In the current year, Autism Can Do Scholarship will be co-sponsored by Doug Flutie. Jr Foundation. This scholarship program is for students on the autism spectrum.
Schwallie Family scholarship is given to students across the autism spectrum, looking forward to pursuing their full-time, post-secondary, undergraduate, or technical training.
Kerry Magro’s scholarship program supports students with autism for pursuing post-secondary education
Application deadline
May 2021
Award amount
$500
Dyslexia Scholarships
Individuals suffering from learning disabilities and pursuing higher education can take advantage of many available scholarships. Dyslexia Scholarships aim the same – to help students with learning disorders. Here are some of the learning disability scholarships that grant students the opportunity to pursue their educational goals.
Students with documented learning disabilities and aspiring to attend community college are granted with Pine Cone Foundation Scholarship. It is for the students belonging to the state of California.
An Arkansas resident and student with a documented learning disability or dyslexia seeking financial help to enroll for a two-year community college or vocational program are eligible for Ralph G. Norman Scholarship.
Application deadline
March 2021
Award amount
$2,500
Scholarships for Hearing Impaired
Loans can be a strenuous burden for students seeking financial help. Scholarships relieve students’ financial needs by letting them concentrate and help themselves in pursuing higher education better. Students with hearing disabilities should not stop their educational pursuit because of the financial burden. Many organizations offer scholarships for students diagnosed with hearing impairment. Here are a few scholarships for students with hearing impairment.
Students with hearing impairment are relieved from the financial burden during their educational pursuit with the Hearing-Impaired Scholarship’s help. This program supports advanced education in four-year college or technical school programs.
Graeme Clark Scholarship is offered to students with hearing impairment. This prestigious scholarship is provided by Cochlear Nucleus Implant, the ones who developed hearing solutions.
The Scholarship program is granted for students with hearing impairment planning to pursue their junior college, university, technical school, and other academic programs.
Application deadline
March 2021
Award amount
$2,500
Physical Disability Scholarships
Physical disability scholarships are for those deserving and qualifying students who want to pursue their educational and career goals irrespective of their physical impediments. Following are some of the scholarships that help deserving students choose their academics by staying out of debt.
AmeriGlide Achiever Scholarship is granted for students who use a manual wheelchair, power wheelchair, or mobility scooter. This scholarship helps students in covering their expenses of tuition and books.
Students with spinal cord injuries and physical disabilities are granted Craig H. Nielsen Scholarship funds. This scholarship program provides for tuition, books, and college/university fees.
Ethel Lousie Armstrong Foundation Scholarship (ELA) is entirely for women graduate students with physical disabilities and enrolling for U.S. college or university for higher education.
Chair Scholars Foundation award is granted for students with physical disabilities and attending the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania or the University of Tampa for higher education.
Application deadline
N/A
Award amount
Up to $30,000
Colleges with Programs for Disabled Students
Financing for a college education might be a challenge for disabled students. Scholarships will help. But finding educational institutions that support students with disabilities can also get a challenge. Here at Online Masters Colleges, we believe that disabilities should not stop students from pursuing their higher educational goals. We researched dozens of educational institutions are created a list of colleges with programs for disabled students. Colleges with programs for disabled students are students with disabilities with a good teaching environment and support. Here is a list of the universities and colleges that support students with disabilities:
Additional Resources for Students with Disabilities
In addition to financial aid, students with disabilities should also use the below resources to take advantage by networking and finding career opportunities and associating with like-minded groups who overcame educational challenges and steered toward better academic and career success. Here is a list of resources that students with disabilities can immensely benefit from:
ChairScholars Foundation: This foundation is created for students with physical challenges. Individuals who are pursuing vocational training or post-secondary education with disabilities are awarded scholarships through this foundation.
Learning Disabilities Association of America: Individuals with learning disabilities are accepted, supported, and encouraged to pursue their education through education scholarships provided by LDAA. Their mission and vision are to create successful opportunities for students/individuals suffering from physical or mental impairments.
Organization for Autism Research: Organization for Autism Research (OAR) understands the unique challenges that individual autism goes through with. The association ensures to support these families/individuals/students through comprehensive programs.
McBurney Disability Resource Center: This Resource Center is an office for students with disabilities and classroom accommodations on the UW-Madison campus. The students are provided with adequate accommodations and chances to engage, explore, and participate in the Wisconsin idea.
Disability.gov: This is a federal information resource for citizens with disabilities. This resource comprises useful information for disabled students and their parents. This national association details the financial aids and their availability in different formats like scholarships, grants, and loans.
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