Disability-Related Scholarships and Awards
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CCSU's Helen Bichum Trust Scholarship
Application (PDF)

To assist students with disabilities and special needs with the cost of tuition and fees, room and board expenses, and books. 

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Foundation for Science and Disability Science Student Grant Fund 
Disability.gov 
www.stemd.org

A goal of the FOUNDATION for SCIENCE and DISABILITY is to increase opportunities in science for disabled students. To promote this goal, the FOUNDATION has established a Science Student Grant Fund, available to fourth year undergraduate (who have been accepted to graduate or professional school) and graduate students who have a disability.  The students must be United States citizens.  Awards of $1000 each will be made to college or university students for some special purpose in connection with a science project or thesis in any field of Mathematics, Science, Medicine, Engineering, or Computer Science.  An award could be given for assistive device or instrument, or as financial support to work with a professor on an individual research project or for some other special research need.

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The Disabled Student Scholarship

Disability Care Center
2875 South Orange Ave #500 Orlando, FL 32806
(888) 504-0035
scholarship@disabilitycarecenter.org

Deadline: August 1st, 2016

Scholarship Amount: $500

This scholarship program is for students who are suffering from a debilitating condition(s) while continuing their education at a college institution. The condition can be any medically diagnosed impairment (physical or mental) that interferes with everyday activities and quality of life.

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Incight Go Getter Scholarship 
Incight 
971-244-0305 
www.incighteducation.org/scholarship/

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Lime Scholarship 
Google & Lime 

www.limeconnect.com/opportunities/page/google-lime-scholarship-program

2015 Scholarship Applicants must match the following criteria:

  • An undergraduate, graduate or PhD student currently enrolled at a university in the U.S. or Canada (freshmen/first years and international students studying in the U.S. or Canada are eligible to apply); and also,
  • Intend to be enrolled in or accepted as a full time student at a university in the U.S. or Canada in the 2015-2016 academic year.
  • Pursuing a Computer Science or Computer Engineering degree, or a degree in a closely related technical field (such as software engineering; or electrical engineering with a heavy computer science course load).
  • Maintaining a strong academic performance.
  • A student with a visible or invisible disability (defined as someone who has, or considers themselves to have, a long-term, or recurring, issue that impacts one or more major activities that others may consider to be a daily function); this definition also includes the perception among others that a disability exists. We know that 90% of disabilities on campus are invisible, and candidates with all disabilities are encouraged to apply.
  • Exemplify leadership and demonstrate a commitment to and passion for computer science and technology.
  • Previous Google Lime Scholars are unfortunately not able to be considered.

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Paul G. Hearne Leadership Award 
800-840-8844 
http://www.aapd.com/take-action/hearne-awards/the-aapd-hearne-leadership-awards-program.html

The AAPD Leadership Awards provides a unique opportunity for AAPD’s partners, supporters, and colleagues to show their support of Americans with all types of disabilities; while bringing together the national cross-disability community with business and government leadership for one night each year.

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Hearing Loss/Deafness

Graduate Fellowship Fund 
Gallaudet University Alumni Association 
202-250-2099 (Voice/TTY) 
www.gallaudet.edu/Development_and_Alumni_Relations/Alumni_Relations/Alumni_Association_(GUAA)/The_Centennial_Fund/GF_Fund.html

Eligibility
No restrictions are placed upon eligibility because of race, color, sex, creed, or nationality. In cases of equal qualification, preference is given to applicants who are citizens of the United States. To qualify for a fellowship, the following criteria must be met:

  • Hearing Status—The fellowships are intended for deaf or hard of hearing students. Audiological assessment comparable to that required for admission to the Gallaudet University undergraduate program may be the qualifying factor in this respect. The assessment should not be more than three years old.
  • Education—The minimum educational criterion will be admission to an accredited graduate program.
  • Program of Study—The applicant must have been accepted in an accredited graduate program in a college or university. A letter to that effect from the college or university must be supplied with the application.
  • Preference shall be given, to the extent practicable, to applicants who possess a master's degree or the equivalent and are seeking a doctorate.

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Hard of Hearing and Deaf Scholarship 
Sertoma International 
816-333-8300 
http://sertoma.org/what-we-do/scholarships/

Sertoma’s Scholarship for the Hard of Hearing or Deaf, is the leading funder of scholarships for hard of hearing or deaf students since the program’s inception in 1994. Students with clinically significant bilateral hearing loss, graduating from high school, or undergraduate students pursuing four-year college degrees in any discipline are eligible for the scholarship.

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Visual Impairments

ACB Scholarship 
American Council of the Blind 
202-467-5081 
www.acb.org/

Provides scholarships to blind post-secondary students annually.  Also publishes a listing of other scholarships available to blind and visually impaired students.

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AFB Scholarships 
American Foundation for the Blind 
800-232-5463 
www.afb.org/scholarships.asp

General Requirements for the AFB Scholarships
You may use this application form to apply for more than one scholarship. It is not necessary to include multiple copies of supporting documents. All applications must include the following items, without exception:

  • Completed online application for 2015, including all sections of the essay
    Essays will not be accepted separately from the application. You can either type your essay directly into the form, or cut and paste your essay from a word processing program to take advantage of its spellcheck features. The essay section of the application is comprised of three sections. Everyone must complete Parts One, Two, and Three.
  • Official transcripts
    Send an official transcript from the school you are presently attending. If you are not currently enrolled in school, send transcripts from ones you previously attended.
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Proof of legal blindness
    AFB requires a signed letter from an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or state or private agency for the blind, certifying that you are legally blind. The letter must clearly state that you are legally blind (i.e., have best corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, and/or a visual field of less than 20 degrees in the better eye).

Additional Requirements for Gillette, and Anderson Applicants

  • Gillette applicants must submit either a music performance or a writing sample, depending on your field of study.
  • Anderson applicants must submit a music sample

Available AFB Scholarships for 2015

  • The Delta Gamma Foundation Florence Margaret Harvey Memorial Scholarship: One scholarship of $1,000 to an undergraduate or graduate student in the field of rehabilitation or education of persons who are blind or visually impaired.
  • The Rudolph Dillman Memorial Scholarship: Four scholarships of $2,500 each to undergraduates or graduates who are studying full-time in the field of rehabilitation or education of persons who are blind and/or visually impaired.
  • The Paul and Ellen Ruckes Scholarship: Two scholarships of $2,000 each to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in the field of engineering or in computer, physical, or life sciences.
  • The R.L. Gillette Scholarship: Two scholarships of $1,000 each to women who are enrolled in a full-time four-year undergraduate degree program in literature or music. In addition to the general requirements, Gillette applicants must submit with their supporting documents:
    • A music performance on CD or a creative writing sample
  • The Gladys C. Anderson Memorial Scholarship: One scholarship of $1,000 given to a female undergraduate or graduate student studying classical or religious music. In addition to the general requirements, Anderson applicants must submit with their supporting documents:
    • A music performance on CD
  • The Karen D. Carsel Memorial Scholarship: one scholarship of $500 to a full-time graduate student.

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CRS Scholarship 
Christian Record Services for the Blind 
402-488-0981 
services.christianrecord.org/scholarships/index.php

Partial scholarships are offered to legally blind young people striving to obtain a college education. Scholarships are given on a limited basis to those who qualify.

The amount Christian Record Services for the Blind gives for scholarships varies from year to year. The actual amount given to each student is in proportion to the funds available.

An applicant must meet two requirements before the application will be considered:

  • Applicant must be legally blind (20/200) with correction).
  • Applicant must be planning to attend college as a full-time student on the undergraduate level to secure training that will enable independence and self-support.

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Guild Scholar Award 
Jewish Guild for the Blind 
http://www.lighthouseguild.org/?s=scholarships

Our scholarships help legally blind young adults make a successful transition to college, support their post-graduate education, and facilitate career development.

Each year, the Lighthouse Guild scholarship program helps outstanding and deserving legally blind high school students from across the country attend college with scholarships of $10,000. Scholarships are based on strong academic accomplishments and merit, and provide additional financial support to help students make a successful transition from high school to a college or university of their choice. Candidates are not required to demonstrate financial need.

Application Requirements

  1. Provide proof of legal blindness. Verification should be in the form of a statement from a state rehabilitation agency, an ophthalmologist or an optometrist.
  2. Provide proof of U.S. citizenship. A passport, birth certificate, naturalization papers or proof of legal residency.
  3. Send documentation of academic achievement. Copies of school transcripts and copies of SAT and/or ACT results.
  4. Include three letters of recommendation. Two letters should attest to your academic skills. Each letter must include the name, address and telephone number of the person writing the reference.
  5. Write two personal statements of 500 words or less. One describing your educational and personal goals, and *another on the influence of an outstanding teacher on your education (*only for the College Bound Scholarship)

Note: Your chosen college must be accredited by a body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. All college admissions policies must be non-denominational and open to applicants of all religions, faiths and beliefs.

Available Lighthouse Guild Scholarships for 2016

  • The College Bound Scholarship: Up to 20 scholarships for high school seniors who will be college freshman in the upcoming school year. This is a onetime only scholarship.

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Lighthouse Scholarships 
Lighthouse International 
http://www.lighthouseguild.org/programs-services/scholarships

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NFB Scholarships 
National Federation of the Blind 
410-659-9314 
www.nfb.org/scholarships

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

All applicants for these scholarships:

  1. must be legally blind (PDF document) in both eyes, and
  2. must be residing in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, and
  3. must be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, postsecondary course of study in a degree program at a United States institution in the 2015 scholastic year, except that one scholarship may be given to a person employed full-time while attending school part-time, and
  4. must participate in the entire NFB national convention and in all of its scheduled scholarship program activities.

In addition to a scholarship, each winner will receive assistance to attend the 2015 National Federation of the Blind Annual Convention which takes place in July in Orlando, Florida, providing an excellent opportunity for high-level networking with active blind persons in many different professions and occupations.

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Physical/Mobility Impairments

1800Wheelchair 
800-320-7140 
www.1800wheelchair.com/Scholarship/

New Scholarship Award

We would also like to take this opportunity to announce our seventeenth scholarship. Established in 2006, the 1800wheelchair scholarship fund now bestows two $500 awards each year. In the past, we've asked applicants to explore mobility issues on campus, overcoming personal challenges, and much more. To enter the scholarship students must follow the guidelines below:

Participants must meet the following criteria:

  • Enrolled at an accredited high school, college, or university in the U.S.
  • Enrolled at the undergraduate level or your final year of high school
  • Aged sixteen (16) years or older
  • Carry a status of "good standing" (i.e. currently enrolled)
  • Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (or equivalent)
  • Postmarked by Sept 15, 2015

Please note:

  • There is no formal printed application from 1800wheelchair, all necessary information is on this page
  • There are no requirements in terms of physical disability or ability. All applications are welcome
  • We do not accept fax or email applications
  • Please send your application via traditional mail; express mail will not be accepted
  • No need to print this page; just send your written response and contact information
  • Do not send any CD ROMs, letters of recommendation, tax returns, bank balances, resumes or CVs
  • Please keep a digital copy in Word or Google Docs. We'll need a copy to put up on our site.

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National MS Society Scholarship Program 
National Multiple Sclerosis Society 
800-344-4867 
www.nationalmssociety.org/living-with-multiple-sclerosis/society-programs-and-services/scholarship/index.aspx

Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

  • Individuals who have MS, or have a parent with MS, and will be attending an accredited postsecondary school are eligible to apply for any year of undergraduate study and must be working on completion of their first undergraduate degree. Students who have already earned an undergraduate degree are ineligible to apply.

  • Students who applied in a previous year but did not receive an award may not reapply. For past scholarship recipients, please see "Can I renew my scholarship?" below.

  • Applicants must enroll in at least six credit hours per semester in course work leading to a degree, license, or certificate.

  • Applicants must be United States citizens or legal residents living in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam or any other U.S. territory and plan to enroll in an undergraduate course of study at an accredited two-or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school located in the U.S., PR, VI, Guam or any other U.S. territory.

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SBA Scholarships 
Spina Bifida Association of America 
202-944-3285 ext. 23 
www.spinabifidaassociation.org/

180 Medical

  • Award amount: $1000
  • Open to students with Spina Bifida, neurogenic bladder, spinal cord injury, and/or transverse myelitis.
  • Available to two-year, four-year, or graduate school program full time in the fall are eligible to apply. Applicants must be under a physician's care for a spinal cord injury, Spina Bifida, transverse myelitis, or neurogenic bladder.
  • http://www.180medical.com/scholarships

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American Association on Health and Disability

  • Award amount: under $1,000
  • Number of awards: Varies
  • Available to undergraduate and graduate students with a documented disability. Preference given to students majoring in public health, disability studies, health promotion or a field related to disability and health
  • http://www.aahd.us/initiatives/scholarship-program/

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Health Impairments

HFA Educational Scholarship 
Hemophilia Federation of America 
800-230-9797 
hemophiliafed.org/what-we-do/programs-and-services/educational-scholarships/

Educational Scholarship

Two (2) educational scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $2,000.00 each to students with a bleeding disorder.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • A person with a bleeding disorder
  • Seeking a post-secondary education from a college, university or trade school

Parent/Sibling/Child Educational Scholarship

One (1) scholarship will be awarded in the amount of $2,000.00 to the immediate family member of a person with a bleeding disorder.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a parent/sibling/child of a person with a bleeding disorder
  • May or may not have a bleeding disorder themselves
  • Seeking a post-secondary education from a college, university or trade school

Medical/Healthcare Services Educational Scholarship

One (1) scholarships will be awarded in the amount of $4,000.00 to a student pursuing a degree in the medical/healthcare services field. We have noticed over the years that many of our students in the bleeding disorders community are studying for a career in the medial field. Because we know how costly this can be, we created this scholarship specifically for those students to help further their goals.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • A person with a bleeding disorder or related to someone with a bleeding disorder
  • Must be pursuing a degree in the medical/healthcare services field

Application Requirements

Please submit the following materials for All Scholarships:

  • Completed application
  • Essay (see application for essay prompt)
  • Transcript (official or unofficial)
  • Statement of financial need (Example)
  • Acceptance letter/Enrollment Verification letter
  • Two letters of reference (one professional reference, the other from a medical professional/HTC)
  • Proof of a bleeding disorder (documentation that you/your family member has a bleeding disorder)

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Kevin Child Scholarship 
National Hemophilia Foundation 
800-424-2634 ext. 3700 
www.hemophilia.org/NHFWeb/MainPgs/MainNHF.aspx?menuid=53&contentid=35

NHF/HANDI provides this current list of scholarships for general information purposes only. Prospective candidates will need to check with the individual sponsor or administrator of a given scholarship program for more details on specific criteria or procedures for submitting an application. - See more at: http://www.hemophilia.org/Community-Resources/Scholarships#sthash.kwlYDnJj.dpuf

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Scholarships for Survivors Program 
Patient Advocate Foundation 
800-532-5274 
www.patientadvocate.org/events.php?p=69

The purpose of our scholarship program is to provide support to individuals that are legal residents of the United States of America, under the age of 25, who have been diagnosed with or treated for cancer and/or a chronic/life threatening disease within the past five years.

To download the 2015-2016 Scholarship for Survivors application, click here. All applications must be postmarked no later than February 27, 2015.

MAIL APPLICATION TO:
Patient Advocate Foundation
Scholarship for Survivors
421 Butler Farm Road
Hampton, VA 23666

To be eligible, an applicant must satisfy the below requirements in full:

  • Applicant must be a legal resident of the United States of America under the age of 25

  • Applicant must have been diagnosed with and/or been actively treated for a life threatening disease within the past 5 years.

  • Applicant must be pursuing an Associate's Degree as a bridge to a Bachelor's degree or higher.

    *Note: The applicant may be directly pursuing a Bachelor's degree without pursuing an Associate's Degree first.

  • Applicant must complete Scholarship for Survivors application in full (Part A-E)

  • Applicant must write an essay on how their diagnosis has impacted their lives and their future goals (1000 word maximum).

  • Applicant must submit written documentation from a treating physician that outlines applicants' medical history.

  • Applicant must provide two letters of recommendation from non-related persons (examples: teachers, coaches, community leaders). Reference letters must be submitted on business letterhead and include signatory’s contact information within the letter.

  • Applicant must provide an OFFICIAL high school and/or current college transcript (to include school seal); whichever is applicable.

  • Applicant must submit completed financial form (Part E)that will demonstrate financial need and include a copy of the first two pages of tax return.

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Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults 
888-393-3863 (FUND) 
www.ulmanfund.org/Scholarship.aspx

Please check back in the fall for scholarship opportunities for the 2016-2017 school year.

The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults is committed to helping young adults continue their education after being affected by cancer through their own diagnosis or the diagnosis of a loved one. Many scholarships offered by UCF share similar applicant criteria. Applicants need only submit one application, which will be considered for any and all scholarships for which the student applies and is eligible.

Applicants must have been between the ages of 15 and 39 during their own diagnosis/treatment or during the diagnosis/treatment of their parent or sibling.

Scholarship winners will be awarded a total of $2500 over two academic semesters. Each scholarship winner is obligated to organize and run a bone marrow registry drive with the support of Delete Blood Cancer and There Goes My Hero.

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Learning Disabilities

Hydrocephalus Association 
www.hydroassoc.org/

Application Process

The cycle for the 2015 scholarship program has closed. We will be accepting applications again in the beginning of January, 2016. If you would like to receive a notification once our 2016 scholarship cycle opens, please jennifer@hydroassoc.org.

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Mental Health

Lilly Reintegration Scholarship 
800-809-8202 
http://www.reintegration.com/scholarship-program/

To be eligible for consideration for the Baer Reintegration

Scholarship, applicants must:

  • Be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

  • Be currently receiving medical treatment for the disease, including medications and psychiatric follow-up, or have treating physician’s documentation of  past history noted on Recommendation Form

  • Be actively involved in rehabilitative or reintegration efforts, such as clubhouse membership, part- or full-time employment, volunteer efforts or school enrollment

  • Be a U.S. citizen and plan to attend a school in the United States

  • Be age 18 years or older

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Disabled Veterans & Military Families

AFCEA Disabled War Veterans Scholarship 
www.afcea.org/education/scholarships/military/VeteransScholarship.asp

Merit-based scholarships of varying amounts will be awarded to persons on active duty in the uniformed military services, to honorably discharged U.S. military veterans (including Reservists and National Guard personnel) who are currently enrolled and attending classes part time or full time in an eligible degree program at an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S.

Eligible candidates actively pursuing an undergraduate degree at a four year university must be at least second-year college students enrolled part time or full time as sophomores or juniors at the time of application.An overall 3.0 GPA is required. Freshman and senior level students are ineligible to apply.

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Scholarships for Disabled Veterans 
http://scholarships.fastweb.com/a-disabled-veterans

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Other Scholarships for Disabled Veterans

Military benefits work to ensure that service men and women are able to receive a college education at either a low cost or for nothing at all. Disabled veterans scholarships are just a few of the resources out there for military men and women.

Disabled veterans scholarships are typically awarded through school and local or regional organizations. These organizations include the American Legion, which awards the American Legion Post 22 Scholarship at University of South Carolina among others, and the VFW, which distributes the VFW Huntington Beach Memorial, #11548 Scholarship at Golden West College. Qualifying veterans may also find these scholarships at the schools they wish to attend.

Download this list by clicking here

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