18 Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities

Pursuing an education can be stressful, and if your student has a learning disability, it may seem even more daunting. However, scholarships and grants are forms of free money that do not need to be repaid, making them especially valuable for students with learning disabilities. 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, academic achievements, academic excellence, cumulative GPA, and financial need. Most scholarships require applicants to provide documentation or proof of a documented learning disability, such as an IEP or 504 plan, and may also require a minimum cumulative GPA or evidence of academic achievements. Financial need is often considered as part of the eligibility requirements for many scholarships.

If your high school student is interested in scholarships for students with learning disabilities, here is a guide to what may be available. Scholarships may be available for high school seniors, graduating high school seniors, incoming freshmen, undergraduate students, and those attending graduate school. Some scholarships are also open to students attending college, attending specialized programs, or enrolling in technical training programs, and some are available for students with physical disabilities or chronic illnesses.

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/webinar to sign up.

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. Disability scholarships are specifically designed to cover a range of expenses, including tuition, support services, housing, and other school-related costs, and are available from various sources such as nonprofit organizations and foundations.

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 – The Anne Ford Scholarship (offered by the National Center for Learning Disabilities) awards $10,000 to graduating high school seniors with documented learning disabilities who plan to enroll in a full-time bachelor’s degree program. The Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship awards $5,000 to graduating high school seniors with documented learning disabilities who will enroll in a two-year community college or vocational/technical training program.
• BMO Capital Market Lime Connect Equity Through Education Scholarship
• disABLEDperson, Inc. Scholarship Program
• Disability Care Center’s The Disabled Student Scholarship
• Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Scholarship
• Lime Connect Pathways Scholarship for High School Seniors – pursuing a degree at a four-year university or college
• Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship – for students enrolled in a 2-year college, vocational, technical or trade school
• 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 – The P. Buckley Moss Endowed Scholarship awards $1,000 to high school seniors with language-related learning differences who plan to pursue a career in visual arts.
• Pine Cone Foundation Scholarship (students in California only)
• RehabMart Scholarship
• Schwallie Family Scholarship – for two-year or four-year undergraduate college students
• Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color – must belong to an underrepresented racial/ethnic minority group and be enrolled at a two- or four-year undergraduate college, vocational, trade school, or technical program.

The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) offers comprehensive lists of scholarships and resources tailored for students with learning disabilities or ADHD, making it a valuable resource for students and families. Students with disabilities can find scholarships tailored to their needs by researching online databases, consulting with school counselors, or reaching out to disability advocacy organizations.

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. Many scholarships for students with learning disabilities require documentation of the disability, which may include a letter from a medical professional or educational accommodations documentation, along with other materials like transcripts and essays. Writing a compelling personal statement or essay is often a critical component of scholarship applications, and students should pay close attention to prompts and word limits. Students are encouraged to plan ahead, pay attention to application deadlines, and apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously to increase their chances of receiving funding. Students may need to balance classes and other commitments, and should communicate with faculty if they need to miss classes due to their disability.

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.

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:

• Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation Scholarship – the Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation Scholarship (Montana State University students only) — provides awards ranging from $500 to $2,500 for students with dyslexia or similar language-based challenges pursuing STEM degrees.
• Gemm Learning Dyslexia/Auditory Processing Disorder Scholarship – short essay required

Grants for Students with Learning Disabilities

Grants specifically for students with learning disabilities tend to be less numerous than scholarships, and many that do exist are geared toward graduate students. Undergraduate students are generally encouraged to prioritize scholarship searches.

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.

Disclaimer: As of 2026 this program may be on hold.

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, 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.

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. Government programs, such as those accessed through the FAFSA, are essential for students with disabilities to access grants and scholarships funded by government initiatives.

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. Federal loans are a primary, government-supported source of student aid and are generally the first recommended choice for students seeking financial assistance. Private loans are also available as an alternative source of funding, but it’s important to compare them to federal aid and borrow responsibly, as private loans often have different eligibility and repayment requirements. 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.

FAQ: Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities

What scholarships are available for students with learning disabilities?

There are many scholarships available for students with learning disabilities, including the Anne Ford Scholarship ($10,000), the Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship ($5,000), the Marion Huber Learning Through Listening Awards, and the Microsoft disAbility Scholarship, among others. Some scholarships are open to any student with a documented learning disability, while others target specific conditions like dyslexia or ADHD.

Do you have to repay scholarships for students with learning disabilities?

No. Scholarships and grants do not need to be repaid, making them one of the best forms of financial aid for students with learning disabilities. This is what distinguishes them from student loans.

What documentation do I need to apply for a learning disability scholarship? Most scholarships for students with learning disabilities require documentation of a diagnosed disability, such as an IEP or 504 plan, a letter from a medical or educational professional, transcripts, and in many cases a personal essay or statement.

Can students with ADHD apply for learning disability scholarships?

Yes. In most cases, students with a physician-diagnosed ADHD that impacts their ability to learn are eligible for many of the same scholarships available to students with learning disabilities.

Are there scholarships specifically for students with dyslexia?

Yes. Scholarships like the Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation Scholarship and the Gemm Learning Dyslexia/Auditory Processing Disorder Scholarship are specifically designed for students with dyslexia or similar language-based learning differences such as dysgraphia and dyscalculia.

What GPA do you need for learning disability scholarships?

GPA requirements vary by scholarship. Some awards require a minimum cumulative GPA, while others place greater emphasis on financial need, the student’s personal essay, or their documentation of a learning disability. Students should review each scholarship’s specific eligibility criteria carefully.

Can college students with learning disabilities get accommodations in addition to scholarships?

Yes. Most colleges and universities offer free academic accommodations to students with documented learning disabilities, such as extended test time, peer note-takers, assistive technology, and tutoring. Students should contact their school’s disability services office as early as possible to learn what support is available.