Disabilities are never a thing to stop students from learning, nor are they a barrier to keep them from dreaming big. This is where scholarships for disabled students have a big role in embracing and encouraging the educational requirements of students. These scholarships for students aim to support the academic requirements of those challenged students by offering them the necessary financial aid that doesn’t require repayment. As per the US Census Bureau, only 50% of students with disabilities are said to have completed their graduation than those without disabilities. The rest half lack the financial support due to which their education stands incomplete. This is where scholarships for people with disabilities come into play, to help them bear the high educational costs.
Types of Scholarships For Disabled Students
Here are the common types of disability scholarships available:
✬ Learning disabilities- like dyslexia, hyperactivity, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), and cognitive issues.
✬ Physical disorders- neural or muscular limitations.
✬ Visual or hearing impairments that require external help in completing education.
✬ Chronic health conditions have affected the student by more than 60%.
✬ Mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, and PTSD.
Top Online Scholarships For Disabled Students
Here’s a list of the best scholarships for students with disabilities that can help in easing out on the educational expenses:
1. Our Destiny Our Future Scholarships
This is one of the popular scholarships for disabled students that is provided by Our Destiny community which aims to relieve students with disabilities from financial burdens. This financial aid has been sponsored by Our Destiny Our Future Group, followed by the saddening loss of Destiny C. McLain, whose family decided to support disabled kids and sponsor their education after that.
Eligibility Criteria:
The only criteria that make the students eligible for this application is that they must have some kind of experience, working with non-profit organizations. Our Destiny our future applications are available online. The only step to apply for this category of scholarships for people with disabilities is by submitting a 400-600 word article about a given topic and filling in the necessary details asked for such as
✬ Choosing the disability criteria.
✬ Writing on topic asked for.
✬ Filling the neccessary details.
✬ Sending the form before deadline
Deadline: The winners are announced by the end of July.
Amount: $4000 and is awarded to the top 4 winners, each getting a scholarship of $1000
2. Buckfire & Buckfire P.C scholarships for disabled students
BuckFire scholarships for disabled students were introduced a decade ago to assist students with physical injuries and require monetary help to continue their education. These scholarships offer each student $1000. The best part of opting for these disability scholarships is that it isn’t limited to any specific age or disability category- be it physical, mental, or behavioral.
Eligibility Criteria:
✬ Should be a US citizen pursuing graduate or undergraduate courses in the US.
✬ Has a medical certification from a recognized medical institution.
✬ Has completed at least a semester of education in an accredited college or university.
Here is the list of documents to be submitted online before applying for this scholarship:
✬ A copy of the completed online form.
✬ Submission of a one-page write-up about the applicant’s disability and survival.
✬ Transcripts of education
✬ Official records of your latest educational degree.
✬ Diagnosis proofs by medical practitioners about the applicant’s medical condition.
Winner Announcement: The winners are announced by the end of July.
3. Graeme Clark Scholarship
This is another one of those rewarding scholarships for students with disabilities for financial and academic perks for students with limitations. Graeme Clark, the person after whom this scholarship has been named, had initiated cochlear implants and since then wanted to support students with disabilities.
Eligibility Criteria:
Any student with listening challenges and financial instability can choose this program as a means of support and become a part of their community for a lifetime.
Deadline: Students who wish to qualify for Graeme Clark Scholarship are required to submit their online applications by September 30th every year.
Amount: Students who win this scholarship are awarded $20000
4. AmeriGlide Achiever Scholarship
These are the scholarships for people with disabilities who face mobility difficulties and use wheelchairs.
To apply for this scholarship, the student must fill out the online application by writing an essay on their career goals, their purpose, and how they aim to achieve them.
The next question that the applicant would have would be how to get the student financial aid. The AmeriGlide Achiever Scholarship application is a non-downloadable one and is saved for official purposes If selected, the student immediately becomes eligible for assistance, and the essay gets posted on the official website. The applicants must submit their forms by the end of July to grab the scholarship benefits.
Amount: The eligible applicant receives a yearly scholarship of $2500.
5. Anders Tjellstrom Scholarship
Many students require cochlear implant support for better hearing and are ready to enroll for their higher education. Every Canadian or US citizen using Baha or Osia Implants is eligible for this scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria:
The only criteria for this scholarship is to have a minimum 3 GPA in their previous institution. Selected candidates would be provided with an amount of $2000-14,000 as soon as they enroll. The last date to apply for this scholarship is September 30, 2024.
6. Neilson Scholarship Program
The Neilson Scholarship Program aims to support the academic needs of those with spinal and muscular injuries or disabilities. Since these students are restricted to their socio-economic situations, this program looks forward to offering them possible financial aid in the name of scholarships.
The steps to go for the program are quite simple. These scholarships for people with disabilities in mobilization are announced online. Consequently, the applications are submitted online.
Then, after proper scrutiny, the awards are announced and the students are awarded the scholarships.
Deadline: Thankfully, there is no specific date on which the applications are called for every year through the website.
7. ABC Law Centers Cerebral Palsy Scholarship
All those who have a background of cerebral palsy are enrolled in the US for higher education and have a major disability can apply for the ABC law scholarship. The only rule to apply for this scholarship is that the student must be pursuing their higher education in the US.
Eligibility Criteria:
The eligibility criteria or the selection process for such scholarships for students with disabilities is that the student must produce either a 1000-word essay or a video, audio, or any other form of creative explaining cerebral palsy as a condition. Also, they must have a GPA of 3.0 to be an eligible candidate. Students eligible for this scholarship are awarded an amount of $1000 for their educational support.
Deadline: The last date for submitting this student financial aid application on this portal is July 31.
Top offline scholarships for disabled students:
1. Cocacola Scholarships
This is the scholarship that is offered to students who are committed to create a social impact and bring about a positive change in the society.
Eligibility Criteria:
✬ Should be US citizens.
✬ May be permanent residents, refugeees, or parolees who need financial assistance.
✬ Must be planning to do their further education in the US.
✬ Should have an overal 3.0 GPA in studies.
Deadline: The deadline for this scholarship is September 30, 2024.
Winner Announcement: The winners of the Cococola Scholarships are to meet the officials at their office for the final round of interviews and for securing their scholarship.
2. Gates Scholarship
The Gates Scholarship is meant for those who are undergoing financial difficulties and yet serve the roles of student leaders in their institutions. It is given according to the the Free Application Federal Student Aid to the schools and colleges that are financially backwards.
Eligibility Criteria:
✬ Should be a high school student.
✬ Should have either a African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native*, Asian & Pacific Islander American, and/or Hispanic American background.
✬ Should have proofs of gross financial need or assistance.
✬ Should have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 to 4.
Deadline: September 15, 2024 is the last date to apply.
Winner Announcement: The winners are announced between July-September 2025
How to Find the Best Scholarships For Students With Disabilities
Here are some of the easiest ways to find the best scholarships for disabled students:
✬ After checking the deadline, keep the options open and apply for as many scholarships as possible.
✬ Check the university funding availability in the college and university applied.
✬ Use the scholarship databases to compare, evaluate, and apply for the best disability scholarships.
✬ Ensure that all the requirements for the disability scholarships are met so that the applicant stands out from the rest.
✬ Attach letters of recommendation to the scholarships for disabled students form as they matter the most.
✬ Connect with as many professionals in the field online and in person to help you get more information on the scholarships for disabled persons.
✬ Take a second opinion from previous scholarship winners and go for the best.
Conclusion
Disability is not a drawback, but just a limitation. These scholarships for disabled students support the financial requirements of the students and help them reach their career and life goals as they wish. However, the only thing to remember is to choose after considering all the available options and go for the best.
