Scholarships, Grants and Financial Resources for Students with Disabilities

American Association on Health and Disability Scholarship Program
Roberta Carlin | rcarlin@aahd.us
(301) 545-6140 ext. 206
AAHD provides a $1,000 scholarship for full-time students with documented disabilities who are enrolled in or accepted by a four-year university or graduate school. Preference is given to students in the field of public health, health promotion and disability studies including disability policy and research. Applications must be e-mailed to contact@aahd.us with the correct subject line by mid-November.

American Association of People with Disabilities
The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is dedicated to supporting and developing emerging leaders with disabilities in an effort to promote cultivation of leadership among Americans with disabilities. Internship programs for leadership cultivation and workforce recruitment of people with disabilities are available in various locations nationwide. Many internships are in Washington, DC.

American Foundation for the Blind
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit that expands possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB's priorities include broadening access to technology; elevating the quality of information and tools for the professionals who serve people with vision loss; and promoting independent and healthy living for people with vision loss by providing them and their families with relevant and timely resources. A list of grants and scholarships for students who are blind or visually impaired is provided.

Arts for Life! Scholarships
This annual scholarship program recognizes the creativity and artistic talents of high school students throughout Florida by awarding $1,000 scholarships to 25 Florida high school seniors who demonstrate academic and artistic excellence in the visual arts, music, dance, drama or creative writing. Students are judged on a sample of work and an essay explaining how the arts have had a positive influence on their lives.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, this congressionally funded program is administered by the Institute of International Education through its Southern Regional Center in Houston, TX. Applications are accepted in the spring.

Boeing Education Grant
Education is one of the areas of focus for Boeing’s corporate-giving program to help students gain fundamental 21st Century skills relevant to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), such as the ability to think critically and solve problems, collaborate well, be creative, and communicate effectively. In the area of Early Learning, Boeing seeks to ensure that every child has access to quality early care and education. Boeing funds programs that improve the preparation of early caregivers and drive public awareness of the importance of early education. In the area of Educator Leadership Development, Boeing supports school and teacher leadership programs that support educators in shifting their practices so that they are equipped to create learning environments that allow students to practice and acquire 21st Century skills. In the area of Problem-based Learning, Boeing funds problem-based learning opportunities related to STEM experiences and skills for students and their families.
Deadline: Rolling Grant awards vary.

College Board Inspiring Minds - Easy Financial Planner
Understand all of your options when it comes to paying for college and get the latest information about college costs, scholarships, financial aid applications, education loans and college financing. Paying for a college education is no small undertaking. There are many questions to consider: what will it cost, how much can be saved, how much a family can afford to pay, how much a family can borrow and what scholarships are available. The Financial Aid Easy Planner will help if you’re not sure where to start.

DO-IT
DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology) serves to increase the successful participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs such as those in science, engineering, mathematics and technology. Primary funding for DO-IT is provided by the National Science Foundation, the State of Washington and the U.S. Department of Education. This Web site provides information on federal and state aid and scholarships as well as disability specific scholarships and awards including hearing loss/deafness, visual impairments, physical/mobility impairments, learning disabilities and others.

Ed.gov - Find Aid
The Department (ED) will provide more than $116 billion this year to help millions of students and families pay for postsecondary education. If you're exploring options for paying for college, you'll learn about the various kinds of financial aid (loans, grants and work-study), how to apply, common myths and more. Financial aid professionals at banks, colleges, guaranty agencies and other postsecondary or lending institutions will want to see the online library of technical publications, regulations and policy guidance on the administration of the student financial assistance programs. Disabled students have access to the same grants and scholarships as other students, but with a little digging, they can find grants.

eHow Government Grants for Students With Disabilities
Finding money for college is a concern for many students and families. For those who have disabilities, ranging from physical to learning disabilities, it can be even tougher. Disabled students have access to the same grants and scholarships as other students, but with a little digging, they can find grants.

Family Network on Disabilities - Jan LaBelle Scholarships
FND offers Jan LaBelle Scholarships of up to $15,000 for Florida residents with disabilities who are 16-24 years of age, meet income and other requirements and are first-time students at academic or vocational institutions of higher learning. Applications are accepted from September through mid-November. Additional information, applications and documentation requirements are available on the website.

Federal Comprehensive Transition Programs (CTP)
The Federal Student Aid website features informations for students with intellectual disabilities who may be able to get certain types of federal student aid.

Florida Council on Administration of Special Education (FL CASE) SE Landis M. Stetler ESE Leadership Scholarship
FL CASE sponsors this annual scholarship for Florida residents who (1) are enrolled in graduate or undergraduate ESE programs leading to certification or an ESE major and (2) intend to teach or work in an ESE position at the district level in Florida. Deadline for applications, which will be posted on the FCEC website, is early September. For more information, visit the FL CASE website.

Financial Aid Finder
The management team of Financial Aid Finder has been producing top-rated financial aid resources since 1993. A few years ago, it decided to bring these resources to the public for free. Financial Aid Finder believes that in today’s economic market students need all the help they can get in finding and evaluating college financial aid options to help them pay for their college and university education.

Florida Council of the Blind Scholarships
Barbara Grill | grillbh@comcast.net
(941) 966-7056
Online applications for four scholarships of $750 to $2,500 and one scholarship of $500 are available from the Florida Council of the Blind and the Florida Council of Citizens with Low Vision, respectively. Applicants must be 1) blind or visually impaired and 2) attending high school or college or have been accepted by a college or university. Applications and supporting documents are made available in January with a mid-March submission deadline.

Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program Scholarships
The Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program Act (the Act) (FS1004.6495) established the Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Programs (FPCTPs). Scholarships are available only to eligible students, defined as a student with an intellectual disability, who has provided required documentation regarding his or her intellectual disability; who physically attends the eligible institution; and is enrolled in the FPCTP Eligible students are not receiving services that are funded through the Florida Education Finance Program or a scholarship under part III of Chapter 1002 (the Gardiner Scholarship). Current annual scholarships of $7,000 are currently available. For more information, contact The Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at fcsua@ucf.edu or (407) 823-5225.

Florida Student Scholarship and Grant Programs
Contains information on State of Florida grant and scholarship programs administered by the Office of Student Financial Assistance, including the Bright Futures Scholarship.

FloridaShines
FloridaShines exists to empower all of Florida's 20,000,000 residents to earn a college degree and find a bright career. They work with the state's 40 colleges and universities and other partners to help you succeed in school and beyond. There are currently over 270 scholarhips listed.

The Gardiner Scholarships
Scholarship funds can be used for a variety of educational supports. See the website for a complete listing.

Google Scholarships
As part of Google's ongoing commitment to advancing computing and technology, it is pleased to provide scholarships to encourage students to excel in their studies and become active role models and leaders. It is hoped that these programs will also help in dismantling barriers that keep women and minorities from entering computing and technology fields. Deadlines vary with each scholarship.

Google Lime Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
Google hosts networking events designed to connect undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students with disabilities to best-of-class companies in the U.S. and Canada. Its corporate partners represent a variety of industries and have teamed up with Lime to source talent for the broad variety of full-time, internship and co-op opportunities they seek to fill in the intellectual marketplace. Google also works with its partners to provide scholarships for outstanding students with disabilities, such as the BMO Financial Group/Lime Scholarship and Internship Program and the Google Lime Scholarship for Students with Disabilities.

Guide to Federal Student Aid
This guide from the U.S. Department of Education provides information for students and families on applying for federal student aid to pay for post-secondary education. It explains the application process, the various federal loans, grants and work-study programs available and how to apply for them. Also available in Spanish. This is a large publication that opens in PDF or HTML formats.

HEATH
The HEATH Resource Center is an online clearinghouse on postsecondary education for individuals with disabilities. It has information for students with disabilities on educational disability support services, policies, procedures, adaptations, accessing college or university campuses, career-technical schools and other postsecondary training entities. It also has information on financial assistance, scholarships and materials that help students with disabilities transition into college, university, career-technical schools, or other postsecondary programs. Applicable deadlines are provided on the Web site.

Jan La Belle Scholarship
The Jan La Belle Scholarship provides students with disabilities and opportunity to pursue their personal and career goals through attendance at a post-secondary institution.
Application deadline is June 30, 2021. Click here to apply.
Eligible applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

Applicant must be an individual with a disability.
Applicant must be a Florida resident.
Applicant must be an individual who will be entering a college or post-secondary educational program in Fall 2021

Johnson Scholarship
The Johnson Scholarship Foundation funds scholarship and other educational programs which serve individuals demonstrating financial need. We are passionate about helping people who may not have access to funding because of circumstances beyond their control. Our Mission and Core Values provide more information on our grant-making strategy.

Lily Reintegration Scholarship
In order to be eligible for consideration for the Lilly Reintegration Scholarship, applicants must:

Be diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizophreniform, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder
Be currently receiving medical treatment for the disease, including medications and psychiatric follow-up
Be actively involved in rehabilitative or reintegrative efforts, such as clubhouse membership, part-time work, volunteer efforts or school enrollment
Complete an application package that includes an application form, essay, transcripts (if applicable), recommendation forms from three references and school financial requirements.

Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) Grants
The Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF) is a small foundation with a big mission: to help make Changes for the Better for the one-out-of-five Americans of student age who have physical, mental, or learning disabilities. The Foundation's impact is intended to be as broad and lasting as possible to serve the largest number of young people with disabilities. But it also focuses on the individual, on the small changes for the better that can make a big difference in people's lives.

National Center for Learning Disabilities Scholarships
NCLD provides essential information to parents, professionals and individuals with learning disabilities, promotes research and programs to foster effective learning and advocates for policies to protect and strengthen educational rights and opportunities. NCLD recognizes outstanding high school students with LD, general education teachers, schools or school-related programs and artists of all ages who have LD. Deadlines vary. Please go to the Web site for specific information on each scholarship.

The National Down Syndrome Society Scholarship Opportunity
info@ndss.org | (800) 221-4602
The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) is the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome. NDSS is offering a number of scholarships to young adults with Down syndrome - 18 and older - who are continuing to enrich their lives by taking classes or enrolling in postsecondary educational programs.

National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) Youth Scholarship
NFPA awards up to five scholarships per year to foster, biological and adopted children of NFPA members for college, university, or vocational education.

NFB Scholarships for College Students Who are Blind
scholarships@nfb.org
Students who are blind and attending college may apply to win one of 30 awards, ranging from $3,000 to $12,000, in the National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program. In addition, each winner will be assisted to attend the NFB Annual Convention. This scholarship program is available solely to college students who are legally blind and living in the United States or Puerto Rico. Membership in the NFB is not required. All documents required from the applicants must be postmarked by the March deadline. The application form and full details on eligibility and requirements are available online.

National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Scholarships
Each year the National FFA Organization awards approximately $2 million in scholarships designed to fit the diversity of its applicants. Scholarships are sponsored by businesses and individuals through the National FFA Foundation and are given for a wide variety of experiences, career goals and higher education plans. The selection process takes into account the whole student - FFA involvement, work experience, Supervised Agricultural Experiences, community service, leadership skills and academics. More than 1,000 scholarships are awarded. Applications are available in mid-November. This is a yearly application.

O’Neill Tabani Enrichment Fund
The O'Neill Tabani Enrichment Fund offers financial assistance to adults - 18 and older - who have Down syndrome and wish to continue to enhance their lives by taking classes or enrolling in postsecondary educational programs. Students of all abilities are encouraged to apply.

Ruby’s Rainbow Scholarships
Ruby’s Rainbow is a non-profit dedicated to the higher educational needs of adults with Down syndrome, granting scholarships nationwide for post-secondary education, vocational or enrichment classes. The organization is currently offering scholarships to individuals with Down Syndrome (18 years of age and up) seeking higher education or post-secondary enrichment classes. Scholarships are valued up to $10,000 per awarded individual. The deadline to apply is April 28th. Ruby Rainbow's mission is to help students achieve their dreams of higher education and independence, while showing the world just how cool and capable they truly are.
Read more by accessing the application.

School Garden Grants
Grants of up to $500 will be awarded to schools that want to create and start a school garden. Interested schools should explain their reasoning for a school garden and how they would use the grant. Eligible applicants are kindergarten through grade 12 schools in the United States. Applications and requests must be submitted by email.
Deadline: December 1, 2019.

State University System of Florida Theodore R. and Vivian M. Johnson Scholarship
The Johnson Scholarship Foundation provides scholarships up to $5,000 for undergraduate studies at any state university in Florida. Applicants must demonstrate proof of eligibility, financial need and academic achievement. Other application requirements include completion of the FAFSA, documentation of the nature and/or extent of disability and ability to meet guidelines required by institution in which student is enrolled.

STEAM Educator Grants
Grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded to support science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) activities; innovation; and classroom excellence. Grants may be used for supplies, materials, field trips, and other resources that enhance STEAM teaching and learning. Eligible applicants are public and private high school teachers in the United States and U.S. Territories. Educators must be NSHSS members to apply. Applications must be submitted using the online system.
Deadline: October 15, 2019.