High School Disabled Students Scholarships
If you are a student with a disability or you have someone who can be benefited from a disabled scholarship then you are in the right place.
Navigating high school is no easy feat, but for students with disabilities, it comes with extra challenges that require heaps of determination and resilience. Luckily, there are loads of scholarships out there designed to support these students on their journey to higher education. Let’s dive into the world of scholarships for disabled high school students in the US, exploring what’s out there and how to snag these opportunities.
General Statistics on Disabled High School Students
Approximately 7.3 million students aged 3 to 21 received special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) during the 2020-2021 school year, which accounts for 14% of all public school students【source: NCES】
Specific Learning Disabilities: About 33% of students receiving special education services have specific learning disabilities.
Speech or Language Impairments: Approximately 19% of these students have speech or language impairments.
Autism: Around 11% of students in special education have been diagnosed with autism.
Other Health Impairments: This category includes students with ADHD and other health conditions, making up about 14% of those receiving special education services.
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Scholarships for Students with Physical Disabilities
1. 180 Medical Scholarship Program
If you’re dealing with a spinal cord injury or disorder, the 180 Medical Scholarship Program is here to help. The 180 Medical Scholarship Program is designed to assist students with specific physical disabilities related to spinal cord injuries and disorders.
- Eligibility: Applicants must be high school seniors or college students with spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, transverse myelitis, or neurogenic bladder. They must be attending a two-year, four-year, or graduate school program full-time.
- Award Amount: The scholarship awards $1,000 to multiple students each year.
- Application Process: Candidates must submit a completed application form, a personal statement, academic transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.
- Website: 180 Medical Scholarship Program
2. The Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation (BRPF) Scholarship
Got a neurological disability? The BRPF Scholarship might just have your name on it.The BRPF Scholarship supports students with neurological disabilities aiming for higher education.
- Eligibility: High school seniors and college students with neurological disabilities such as paralysis or spinal cord injuries are eligible.
- Award Amount: Scholarships range from $1,000 to $2,000.
- Application Process: Applicants need to provide a completed application form, proof of disability, academic records, and a personal essay detailing their challenges and achievements.
- Website: BRPF Scholarship
Scholarships for Students with Visual Impairments
1. National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Scholarship Program
If you’re legally blind, the NFB Scholarship Program offers significant financial aid and recognition. The NFB Scholarship Program is one of the most prominent scholarships for blind students, offering significant financial aid and recognition.
- Eligibility: Blind high school seniors and college students who are legally blind in both eyes and residing in the US or Puerto Rico can apply.
- Award Amount: The scholarship awards range from $3,000 to $12,000, with multiple scholarships awarded annually.
- Application Process: Applicants must submit an application form, essays, academic transcripts, and two recommendation letters. Finalists are required to attend the NFB national convention.
- Website: NFB Scholarship Program
2. American Council of the Blind (ACB) Scholarship Program
The ACB Scholarship Program provides financial support to legally blind students pursuing post-secondary education.
- Eligibility: Legally blind students entering or continuing their post-secondary education in the US are eligible.
- Award Amount: Scholarships range from $2,000 to $7,500.
- Application Process: Applicants need to complete an application form, provide academic transcripts, and submit letters of recommendation. A personal essay detailing their educational goals and experiences with blindness is also required.
- Website: ACB Scholarship Program
Scholarships for Students with Hearing Impairments
1. Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Scholarships
If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, these scholarships are designed with you in mind. This scholarship program aims to support students who are deaf or hard of hearing, helping them achieve their educational and career goals.
- Eligibility: High school seniors and college students who are deaf or hard of hearing and use listening and spoken language as their primary communication mode are eligible.
- Award Amount: Scholarship amounts range from $2,500 to $10,000.
- Application Process: Applicants must submit an application form, audiogram, academic transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. A personal essay discussing their hearing loss and future aspirations is also required.
- Website: AG Bell Scholarships
2. Sertoma Scholarship for the Hard of Hearing or Deaf
Sertoma’s got your back if you’re pursuing a four-year degree and have significant hearing loss.. The Sertoma Scholarship supports students with significant hearing loss in pursuing higher education.
- Eligibility: High school seniors with a minimum 40dB bilateral hearing loss who are pursuing a four-year degree at a college or university in the US.
- Award Amount: $1,000
- Application Process: Applicants need to provide an application form, audiogram, academic transcripts, and an essay detailing their educational goals and the impact of their hearing loss.
- Website: Sertoma Scholarship
Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities
1. P. Buckley Moss Endowed Scholarship
If you have a language-related learning disability and a flair for visual arts or teaching, this scholarship is for you. This scholarship supports students with language-related learning disabilities who are pursuing a career in visual arts or education.
- Eligibility: High school seniors with a certified language-related learning disability who have a talent for visual arts or are pursuing a career in education.
- Award Amount: $1,000
- Application Process: Applicants must submit an application form, proof of learning disability, academic records, and a portfolio of their artwork or a statement of their educational goals.
- Website: P. Buckley Moss Scholarship
2. The Anne Ford Scholarship
The Anne Ford Scholarship assists students with learning disabilities in pursuing a four-year college degree.
- Eligibility: High school seniors with a documented learning disability who are planning to pursue a full-time bachelor’s degree.
- Award Amount: $10,000, distributed over four years.
- Application Process: Applicants need to provide an application form, documentation of their learning disability, academic transcripts, personal statement, and letters of recommendation.
- Website: Anne Ford Scholarship
Scholarships for Students with Autism
1. Organization for Autism Research (OAR) Scholarship Program
The OAR Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) pursuing higher education.
- Eligibility: High school seniors and college students with an autism diagnosis.
- Award Amount: $3,000
- Application Process: Applicants must submit an application form, proof of autism diagnosis, academic transcripts, and an essay discussing their personal challenges and educational goals.
- Website: OAR Scholarship Program
2. Autism Delaware Scholarship
The Autism Delaware Scholarship supports students with ASD in their pursuit of higher education.
- Eligibility: High school seniors with autism spectrum disorder who are residents of Delaware.
- Award Amount: $1,000
- Application Process: Applicants need to complete an application form, provide proof of autism diagnosis, academic records, and an essay detailing their experiences and aspirations.
- Website: Autism Delaware Scholarship
It's now or never!
The journey through high school can be a rollercoaster, especially for students with disabilities. But with the right support and resources, the sky's the limit. Scholarships for disabled students not only provide financial assistance but also offer encouragement and open doors to new opportunities. So, don’t hesitate—check out these scholarships, apply, and take a step closer to your dreams.
For more detailed info on each scholarship, including eligibility requirements and application deadlines, head over to the provided websites. With the right support, every student can pursue their dreams and make a significant impact on the world.