Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
If you have a child with a disability, there are a variety of scholarships they can apply for when it comes time to go to college. These scholarships are available to parents of service members and non-military, as well as for children with any disability or to those for a specific disability.
Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
Here is a list of scholarships for students with disabilities to help pay for their education.
The Sacks for CF
Cystic Fibrosis, 30 recipients, up to $10,000
The Details: This award is for undergraduate and graduate students with Cystic Fibrosis who strive for therapy adherence and academic success. The Sacks is related to the quarterback sacks made during the NFL season. For every sack recorded during NFL Monday Night Football games, the Sacks for CF Scholarship Program receives a donation from a Boomer Esiason Foundation corporate partner.
The Deadline: Due date is in January.
Website: For more information and to apply for this scholarship, please visit the Esiason website.
Lighthouse Guild Scholarship Program
Vision loss, multiple recipients, up to $10,000
The Details: This scholarship is for students with vision loss who are undergraduate or graduate students. It is a merit-based scholarship program. They can use the award for whatever they wish, including tuition, room and board, and books and travel.
The Deadline: March 31st.
Website: For more information and to apply for this scholarship, please visit the Lighthouse Guild website.
Ruby’s Rainbow Scholarship Award
Down Syndrome, multiple recipients, between $1,000-$10,000
The Details: This scholarship program is for between $1,000-$10,000 to be utilized in full within one academic year. Applicants must be diagnosed with Down Syndrome, be at least 18 years of age or be 18 by July 1st.
The applicant will need to have the desire and intent to enroll or to continue enrollment in a post-secondary class or program that will enhance their lives through employment, independent living, or life skills as well as interests in other areas.
Funds must be applied towards tuition at a university, community college, or post-secondary institution. They must be in the US and the funds can also be used for housing, food or transportation only if the costs are already included as part of the tuition fee.
Up to 10% can be used for textbooks and other course work-related supplies. Enrichment classes in the arts also qualify if they are certified programs.
The Deadline: May 6th
Website: For more information and to apply for this scholarship, please visit the Ruby’s Rainbow website.
Gabriel’s Foundation of HOPE College Scholarship
All disabilities, amount of recipients is based on funds, $500 is most common
The Details: This award is for students with a disability. Students who want to work in a field that will benefit the disabled community may also apply. The number of scholarships and award amounts will be determined based on funds available.
The Deadline: July 1st
Website: For more information and to apply for this scholarship, please visit the Gabe’s Hope website.
ACPA College Scholarship
Cleft Palate, award amounts and number of applicants varies
The Details: For this award, students will need to have a diagnosis of cleft lip and/or cleft palate, submucous cleft palate, craniosynostosis, Crouzon syndrome, Goldenhar syndrome, hemifacial microsomia, hemangioma, Jackson-Weiss syndrome, microtia, Moebius syndrome, Pierre Robin Sequence, 22q11.2 Deletion syndrome (VCFS), Treacher Collins syndrome, or another craniofacial anomaly. They also must be enrolled full-time in an accredited post-secondary institution or program in the US.
The Deadline: February 1st
Website: For more information and to apply for this scholarship, please visit the Cleftline.org site.
The Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship
Learning disabilities, one recipient, $5,000 over two years
The Details: This scholarship is for $5,000 that will be awarded over two years, $2,500 each year. It will go to a graduating high school senior with a documented learning disability and/or ADHD who will enroll in a 2-year Community College, a vocational or technical training program, or a specialized program for students with a learning disorder and/or ADHD.
The Deadline: January 17th
Website: For more information and to apply for this scholarship, please visit the NCLD.org site.
Google Lime Scholarship
Those with a visible or invisible disability, multiple recipients, $10,000 in the US, $5,000 in Canada
Details: Winners of this scholarship will receive an award as well as being invited to attend the annual Google Scholars’ Retreat at the Googleplex in California. Candidates will also be considered for software engineering internship opportunities with Google. Scholarships are awarded based on the strength of candidates’ academic background and demonstrated passion for computer science.
This scholarship is for current undergraduate, graduate, or Ph.D. students enrolled in the US or Canada. They would need to pursue a computer science or computer engineering degree or a degree in a closely related technical field with strong academic performance. The student needs to also have a visible or invisible disability. They must be in college already, not in high school.
Deadline: December
Website: For more information and to apply for this scholarship, please visit the Lime Connect site.
AER William and Dorothy Ferrell Scholarship
Blind and visually impaired, two recipients, $1,000
The Details: This scholarship is only available during even years, for those who are legally blind and studying a career in the field of services to a person who is blind or visually impaired.
The Deadline: Early next year
Website: For more information and to apply for this scholarship, please visit the AERBVI.org site.
Sertoma Scholarship for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Deaf or Hard of Hearing, multiple recipients, award amounts vary
The Details: This scholarship is for those who have minimum 40dB bilateral hearing loss, as evidenced on audiogram by an SRT and PTA of 40dB or greater in both ears. They also must be a citizen of the US, pursuing a BA on a full-time basis at a college or university in the US. Other types of degrees do not qualify. The award covers cover tuition, books, and supplies.
The Deadline: March
Website: For more information and to apply for this scholarship, please visit the Sertoma site.
Schwallie Family Scholarship Program
Autism, multiple recipients, $3,000
The Details: This scholarship is for students who attend a 2 or 4-year university. They need to have an established autism diagnosis and be attending an accredited post-secondary institution. They would need to be attending on a full-time basis or working toward certification or accreditation in a particular field. They would need to prove a medical diagnosis of autism.
The Deadline: May
Website: For more information and to apply for this scholarship, please visit the Research Autism site.
Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship
Autism, multiple recipients, $3,000
The Details: This scholarship is for students who attend a 2-year university, life skills, or post-secondary programs or vocational or trade schools. They need to have an established autism diagnosis. They would need to be attending on a full-time basis or working toward certification or accreditation in a particular field. They would need to prove a medical diagnosis of autism.
The Deadline: May
Website: For more information and to apply for this scholarship, please visit the Research Autism site.
L.I.F.E Scholarship
Systemic Lupus, one or more recipients depending, Minimum of $500
The Details: This award is for undergraduate and graduate students with Systemic Lupus erythematosus (SLE). They can be part-time or full-time students. The amount of awards depends on the quality of the applicants and funds available.
The Deadline: July 1
Website: For more information and to apply for this scholarship, please visit the Life Scholarship site.
Dollars 4 Tic Scholars Scholarship
Systemic Lupus, multiple recipients, amount varies
The Details: This scholarship offers multiple awards for undergraduate students, one for a graduate student, and a vocational/technical opportunity for computer training in Palm Beach County, Florida. Undergraduates need to be a current senior in high school or a current college student before they start their senior year. They will need to be diagnosed with Chronic Tic Disorder or Tourette’s Syndrome.
The Deadline: April 15th
Website: For more information and to apply for this scholarship, please visit the Dollars 4 TIC Scholars site.
More Scholarships:
- Scholarships for Military Children
- Military Spouse Scholarships
- Scholarships for Veterans
- Scholarships for Graduate Students
Find Scholarships for Military, Veterans and Their Families
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- Transfer Your GI Bill to Spouse and Dependents
- College Scholarships for Military Dependent Children
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About the author
Julie Provost is a freelance writer, blogger, and owner of Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life, a support blog for military spouses. She lives in Tennessee with her National Guard husband and three boys.