71 Grants and Scholarships for Disabled Students

Updated on November 25th, 2024

Figuring out how to cover the cost of college is challenging for all students, including students with disabilities. Fortunately, college scholarships and grants for disabled students can make a significant difference. Along with being money for college that doesn’t have to get paid back, there’s usually less competition for these awards since not all students are eligible to apply.

Scholarships can help students make nearly any college affordable, especially for those attending an accredited college.  If you and your student want to learn more about the scholarship application and search process, sign up for our free college scholarship webinar! Take a quick trip over to http://thescholarshipsystem.com/freewebinar to reserve a spot today.

Ultimately, there’s a slew of grants and scholarships for disabled students. If your student has a disability and is looking for ways to make their college education more affordable, here’s what you need to know.

About Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

Scholarships for students with disabilities are to help students who are pursuing higher education despite of their disabilities. These scholarships can help students with disabilities pay for tuition, fees and other education expenses so they can achieve their academic and career goals. Colleges and universities, private foundations and government agencies can offer scholarships for students with disabilities.

These scholarships makes college more accessible and affordable for students with disabilities. Reducing the financial burden allows students to focus on their studies and personal development and sets them up for success. Whether you’re a high school senior, undergraduate or graduate student, there are many opportunities to help you achieve your educational dreams.

Can You Get a Scholarship for Being Disabled?

Disability scholarships and college grants are available for students with qualifying mental or physical conditions. There are scholarships specifically tailored for high school students with disabilities, highlighting the unique challenges they face. Some focus on specific types of disabilities, such as hearing impairments, autism, or mobility challenges. Others are more general and open to students with either any disability or a wide array of disabilities.

Some examples of scholarships for students with any type of disability include:

• Canines for Disabled Kids Scholarship
• Google Lime Scholarship
• HPFY Beyond Disability Scholarship
• INCIGHT Scholarship
• Lime Connect Pathways Scholarship for High School Seniors
• Microsoft Disability Scholarship
• NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship
• RJ Mitte Breaking Barriers Scholarship
• VSA International Young Musicians Award Program

However, most of these scholarships have eligibility requirements beyond the student having a disability. For example, students may need to meet or cross a GPA threshold or commit to a particular major. Additionally, they may need to submit specific materials, such as a scholarship essay and letters of recommendation. Official documentation from a medical professional showing their formal diagnosis is also a requirement in some cases.

As with all types of scholarships, students need to review the rules carefully to determine if they’re eligible to apply before beginning their scholarship application. That way, they can focus their energies in the best possible direction.

What Is a Student Disability Scholarship?

A student disability scholarship is a form of financial assistance that reduces a student’s out-of-pocket college costs. These scholarships are specifically designed to make college more affordable for students with disabilities, ensuring that higher education is more accessible to this specific segment of the population.

Which disabilities qualify for an award can vary. Some student disability scholarships are broad, allowing any student with a cognitive, behavioral, emotional, or physical disability to apply. Others are targeted to specific disabilities or may even limit applicants to individuals who’ve received particular treatments for their conditions. However, the goal of the scholarship is always to help students with disabilities achieve their educational – and career – goals.

When a student receives a disability scholarship, the funds typically work similarly to other kinds of scholarships. In many cases, the money is initially sent directly to the student’s school, allowing the college to direct the funds toward qualifying costs, such as tuition and fees or room and board.

In some cases, scholarship money that isn’t needed by the college is then given to the student. However, this only occurs if the award is set up to help pay for other expenses, such as transportation, equipment, supplies, and more. Many scholarships don’t allow the money to go toward anything except for expenses directly from the school, and some may even limit it to specific kinds of costs. As a result, students need to review the rules to help them plan effectively.

Mental Health Scholarships

Mental health scholarships are a subset of the disability scholarships that target students with various mental illnesses. For example, students who experience depression or anxiety may qualify, as well as students with bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and more. Many mental health scholarships are available for current college students with mental health diagnoses.

Some are also open to students with cognitive impairments or learning disabilities. For example, students on the autism spectrum may qualify for specific awards.

As with all kinds of college scholarships, the eligibility requirements will vary from one award to the next. Similarly, what’s needed to complete an application may be different with each scholarship. However, students with mental health diagnoses should explore as many opportunities as possible, allowing them to find as many potential awards as possible.

Here is a list of mental health scholarships that students should check out:

• Bryent Smothermon PTSD Awareness Scholarship
• Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship
• Elizabeth Schalk Memorial Scholarship
• Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Award
• Individualized Education Pathway Scholarship
• JC Runyon Foundation Scholarship
• Jewish Community Services (JCS) Scholarship
• Kelly Law Team Autism Scholarship
• Kerry Magro Scholarship Program
• Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship
• Jared Monroe Foundation Scholarship
• Marion Huber Learning Through Listening
• Schwallie Family Scholarship
• The Center for Reintegration Scholarship Program
• Varghese Summersett Autism Scholarship

Scholarships for Students with Physical Disabilities

Scholarships for students with physical disabilities are a group of awards that target students with an impairment related to the physical function of a part of their body. For example, students with mobility challenges or who rely on a wheelchair may qualify for some awards. Similarly, students with significant hearing or sight loss may be eligible for other scholarships. There are also scholarships specifically available for community college students with physical disabilities.

As with all scholarships, the exact requirements can vary. Along with having a qualifying medical condition, a student may need to meet or exceed a minimum GPA, or other criteria may be part of the equation. Since that’s the case, students need to review all of the rules carefully to determine their eligibility.

Here are some scholarships for students with physical disabilities that can serve as an excellent starting point:

• 180 Medical Scholarship Program
• Wheelchair.com Scholarship
• Cochlear Americas Academic Scholarships
• Dylan’s Journey Memorial Scholarship
• Fred Scheigert Scholarship Program
• GLHF Education Scholarship
• Help America Hear Scholarship
• HFA Educational Scholarship
• Jackson-Stricks Scholarship
• John D. Sherman Scholarship
• Lighthouse Guild Scholarship
• Little People of America Scholarship Program
• Millie Brother Scholarship
• Pfizer Hemophilia Scholarship Program
• Sertoma’s Scholarship for the Hard of Hearing or Deaf
• Team See Possibilities Scholarship
• Wells Fargo Scholarship Program for People with Disabilities

Grants for College Students with Disabilities

For students with disabilities, college grants are an excellent way to help reduce how much they need to cover out-of-pocket for their postsecondary education. As long as the student meets the performance-related requirements (if there are any), the money doesn’t have to get paid back. Since that’s the case, these awards are an excellent way to avoid student loans or other types of debt, potentially allowing a student to graduate debt-free.

As with other awards for students with disabilities, having a qualifying condition is typically mandatory to apply. Precisely what makes a student eligible does vary, however. Some may be open to students with practically any type of disability, while others target students with specific ones. Since that’s the case, students need to make sure that they review any and all requirements before submitting an application, allowing them to concentrate on awards that they have the highest chances of securing.

Here is a list of grants for college students with disabilities that students should check out:

• AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability
• Academy of Special Dreams College Scholarship Fund
• ACB Scholarship Program
• ALA Century Scholarship
• Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship
• Anne Ford Scholarship
• Assistive Technology Awards for Students with Learning Disabilities and Dyslexia
• Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship for Autism
• Beth Carew Memorial Scholarship Program
• BMO Capital Markets Lime Connect Equity Through Education Scholarship
• Carole L. Patterson Endowed Scholarship
• Cheryl Conkling Memorial Scholarship
• Christopher Mark Pitkin Memorial Scholarship
• Dale M. Schoettler Scholarship for Visually Impaired Students
• com College Scholarship
• Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation Scholarship
• Mays Mission Scholarship
• Organization for Autism Research’s Scholarships
• Powering Education Scholarship
• Ruby’s Rainbow Scholarship
• Sunwise Capital Autism Scholarship
• Teresa Haven Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
• Test Prep Insight $1,500 Scholarship
• The Ability Center College Scholarship
• The John Lepping Memorial Scholarship: Disabled Students
• Will Rogers Memorial Scholarship

Grants for Disabled Females

If your student is female and also has a disability, there are some awards they may be eligible for that aren’t open to as many applicants. When eligibility is limited to women and girls, there’s usually less competition. That’s particularly true if applicants are either restricted to students with disabilities or preference is given to students with disabilities.

As a result, female students with disabilities should explore these options to determine if they are eligible. Here are a couple of grants for disabled females that can help reduce the cost of college:

• American Transmission Co. Scholarship
• BioMatrix Millie Gonzalez Memorial Scholarship

Disability Scholarships for Graduate Students

While some of the disability scholarships above are open to undergraduate and graduate students, there are also awards that specifically target grad students with disabilities pursuing graduate school. These are designed to make earning a higher-level degree – such as a Master’s or Doctorate – more affordable for students with qualifying conditions.

Often, these have eligibility requirements beyond a qualifying disability. For example, they may limit applicants to students studying specific majors. Additionally, they typically have academic performance-related requirements, such as minimum GPAs.

While the eligibility rules are potentially stricter than what students may see with other awards, disability scholarships for graduate students are a boon for those who qualify. Here are a few options students may want to explore:

• Foundation for Science and Disability Graduate Student Grant
• George H. Nofer Scholarship for Law and Public Policy

Applying for Disability Scholarships

Applying for disability scholarships can be a competitive process, but there are several steps that students can take to increase their chances of success:

• Research scholarship opportunities: Students should research scholarship opportunities that are available to students with disabilities. This involves looking into various organizations, foundations, and institutions that offer financial aid.
• Review eligibility criteria: Students should review the eligibility criteria for each scholarship to ensure that they meet the requirements. This helps in focusing efforts on scholarships where they have the highest chances of success.
• Gather required documentation: Students should gather required documentation, such as proof of disability and academic transcripts. Having all necessary documents ready can streamline the application process.
• Submit applications: Students should submit applications for scholarships that they are eligible for. It’s important to follow the instructions carefully and meet all deadlines.
• Follow up: Students should follow up with scholarship providers to ensure that their applications are received and processed. This can also provide an opportunity to address any potential issues or provide additional information if needed.

By following these steps, students with disabilities can increase their chances of success in securing scholarships to support their higher education goals. With the right preparation and persistence, they can find the financial assistance they need to achieve their academic and career aspirations.

Scholarships can help students make nearly any college affordable, all while letting them avoid costly student loans. If you and your student want to learn more about the scholarship application and search process, sign up for our free college scholarship webinar! Take a quick trip over to http://thescholarshipsystem.com/freewebinar to reserve a spot today.