22 Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities

Updated on May 20th, 2024

Pursuing an education can be stressful, and if your student has a learning disability, it may seem even more daunting. But, if your student can eliminate some of the financial burdens of higher education by landing one (or a few) of the many scholarships for students with learning disabilities, that can make the entire venture seem more manageable.

There are plenty of college scholarships for IEP students and learning disability scholarships worth exploring. However, who is eligible to apply can vary depending on several factors, including your student’s diagnosis.

If your high school student is interested in scholarships for students with learning disabilities, here is a guide to what may be available.

Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities

Some people may be surprised to discover that there are scholarships for young people with learning disabilities. These learning disability scholarships aim to make college more affordable for individuals who may have struggled academically due to a diagnosed medical condition that impacted their performance or created additional challenges.

College scholarships for students with learning disabilities typically fall into one of two categories. The first kind allows anyone with any learning disability to apply. The second type of learning disability scholarships focus on specific conditions, limiting who is eligible to receive the award more so than the first type.

Otherwise, these awards function the same as any other scholarship. Students can apply the funds to any expenses the scholarship says are eligible. Precisely what that includes can vary by award. Some may limit the use of the money to tuition and fees, while others may allow students to pay for room and board, books, supplies, and even living expenses.

If your student wants to explore disability college scholarships, here are a few that are open to individuals with any form of learning disability:

• American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) Scholarship Program
• American Library Association (ALA) Century Scholarship
• Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarships
• BMO Capital Market Lime Connect Equity Through Education Scholarship
• Bottar Law, PLLC Scholarship
• disABLEDperson, Inc. Scholarship Program
• Disability Care Center’s The Disabled Student Scholarship
• Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Scholarship
• Google Lime Scholarship
• Marion Huber Learning Through Listening Awards
• Mays Mission Scholarships
• Microsoft disAbility Scholarship
• Newcombe Foundation Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
• P. Buckley Moss Foundation for Children’s Education Scholarship Program (language-based learning disabilities only)
• Pine Cone Foundation Scholarship (students in California only)
• RehabMart Scholarship
• RiSE Scholarship Foundation

As with all scholarships, there can be other eligibility requirements for these scholarships for students with specific learning disabilities. For example, some of these financial aid awards above may be limited to students pursuing particular college majors or those who have already completed their freshman year in college. Since that’s the case, students need to review the requirements carefully to ensure they’re eligible.

Scholarships for Students with ADHD

In most cases, scholarships for high school students with learning disabilities are also ADHD scholarships. If your student is diagnosed with ADHD by a physician and it impacts their ability to learn, then they may qualify for some of the scholarships listed above.

Students may also want to explore scholarships that are focused on assisting students with a mental health-related diagnosis. Again, while these may not concentrate on ADHD specifically, and they don’t generally fall in the same category as learning disability scholarships, some may consider students with an ADHD diagnosis eligible.

Scholarships for Students with IEPS

As with ADHD scholarships, many of the awards above are also Scholarships for students with IEP plans. However, whether a specific student qualifies depends on their exact diagnosis and not just whether an IEP was in place. As a result, students need to look at the requirements to determine whether they’re eligible.

Additionally, some of the financial aid awards below are also potentially worth exploring, depending on your student’s diagnosis. Students with an IEP may also qualify for different scholarships that aim to support students with other conditions if they have a diagnosis outside of learning disabilities, so it’s worth exploring opportunities in that arena, too.

As with ADHD scholarships, many of the awards above are also Scholarships for students with IEP plans. However, whether a specific student qualifies depends on their exact diagnosis and not just whether an IEP was in place. As a result, students need to look at the requirements to determine whether they’re eligible.

Additionally, some of the financial aid awards below are also potentially worth exploring, depending on your student’s diagnosis. Students with an IEP may also qualify for different scholarships that aim to support students with other conditions if they have a diagnosis outside of learning disabilities, so it’s worth exploring opportunities in that arena, too.

Scholarships for Students with Dyslexia

Just as some scholarships are set up to support students with a specific medical diagnosis, dyslexia scholarships are aimed at students who are known to have dyslexia or highly similar conditions, like dysgraphia and dyscalculia. As a result, students with a dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia diagnosis should explore these opportunities.

The benefit of these targeted scholarships is that students may face less competition. Mainly, that’s because fewer students will qualify, so there are fewer eligible applicants.

Here are a few scholarships for students with dyslexia:

• Gem, Learning Dyslexia/Auditory Processing Disorder Scholarship
• Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation Scholarship

Grants for Students with Learning Disabilities

While not as common as learning disability scholarships, it is possible to find grants for students with learning disabilities. Typically, grants are focused on graduate students with disabilities, while most undergraduates are better served by focusing on scholarships for students with learning disabilities.

For example, the FSD Science Graduate Student Grant Fund provides financial awards to qualifying graduate students pursuing higher education. If your student may go beyond a bachelor’s degree and meet the requirements, it is an option worth tracking.

Financial Aid for Students with Learning Disabilities

While learning disability scholarships can make a college education more affordable, they are not the only option. First and foremost, any scholarship that your student is eligible for is worth exploring.

Along with college scholarships for students with learning disabilities, you can also find military scholarships (including options for spouses and dependents), Native American scholarships, scholarships for women and girls, STEM scholarships, visual arts scholarships, and more. Since that’s the case, students should pursue other awards if they meet the criteria, too, giving them the best chance of finding scholarships that cover their college costs.

If you and your student want to learn more about scholarships for college students with learning disabilities and other scholarship opportunities (and the application process), attend our free college scholarship webinar! Head to https://thescholarshipsystem.com/freewebinar to sign up.

Plus, after your student completes their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and their student aid index (SAI) is calculated, they may be eligible for government grants, like the Pell Grant. Government grants are great when you need help paying for college, as, just like scholarships, the money doesn’t have to be paid back in nearly all cases.

Students with learning disabilities may also qualify for other types of financial aid. For example, work-study is another option for covering the cost of college without accruing debt, and it gives students valuable work experience they can add to their resume. As a result, this form of financial aid can be a win-win, especially for students who want to get a jumpstart on their careers.

Finally, students can consider student loans to help address their expenses. While these do result in debt that needs to be repaid, that doesn’t mean students can’t benefit from them. Ultimately, it’s wise to exercise caution when acquiring debt, but with sound planning, repayment isn’t always overly burdensome.

Is There More Help for Students with Learning Disabilities?

Yes, your student may be eligible for certain services when they are in university or college to make it easier for them to complete their education. Many schools offer academic accommodations to students with learning disabilities, such as more time to take tests or complete assignments, peer note-takers, assistive technology, the option to record lectures, tutoring, or proofreading assistance.

Usually, to find out if your student is eligible for an accommodation, you need to contact their school’s student disability support office, which also may be referred to as disability services, the office of disabled student services, or something similar. At times, these offices are simply a division within the Student Affairs department, so you can also contact that office if you can’t find information for disability services.

If your student is eligible for an accommodation, it will be provided at no additional cost. However, what is available varies from one school to the next, so it is wise to reach out as soon as possible to determine what your student can receive in the form of assistance.