Scholarships for Students with Disabilities – The City University of New York (2023)

Alexander Graham (AG) Bell College Scholarship Program: AG Bell offers several scholarships for full-time students who have a pre-lingual bilateral hearing loss in the moderately-severe to profound range, use listening and spoken language, and who are pursuing a bachelors, masters or doctorate (not law or public policy) degree at an accredited mainstream college or university. This is a merit-based scholarship program and award selection is extremely competitive. Through the efforts of members of the College Scholarship Selection Committee and friends of AG Bell, a special opportunity is offered for scholarship applicants who are currently college freshmen, sophomores or juniors in the United States who are majoring in the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics (other than pre-med). The application deadline is January 22, 2016.

2016 Eligibility Criteria:
In order to be eligible for this scholarship program, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Listening and Spoken Language must be the applicant’s primary mode of communication.
• Hearing loss must have been diagnosed before the applicant’s fourth birthday (pre-lingual hearing loss).
• Hearing loss must be bilateral and in the moderately severe to profound range. Applicants must have an unaided Pure-Tone Average (PTA) of 60dB or greater in the better-hearing ear in the speech frequencies of 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz. Applicants with cochlear implants meet this eligibility requirement. Unilateral (one-sided) hearing loss does not qualify.
• Applicant must be enrolled in or have applied to a 4-year mainstream and accredited college or university as a full-time student working to complete a bachelor’s or graduate degree. Applicants who are or will be attending a community college offering an associate’s degree (2-year) do not meet this criterion.
• Applicants in the United States must have a minimum cumulative un-weighted GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale (equivalent minimums: 4.06 on a 5.0 scale or 81.25 on a scale of 100). For high school seniors, this is a cumulative GPA for grades 9-11 and the first semester of grade 12. For college freshman, this is cumulative GPA for grades 9-12 and the first semester of college. For college sophomores or higher including graduate students, it is the cumulative GPA on college transcripts for all semesters completed. Non-U.S. Applicants: Applicants must have a minimum 80% cumulative on their high school or secondary school transcripts. For colleges outside of the United States, applicants must have a ranking equivalent to a minimum 3.25 GPA; for example, for students in the UK, Australia and India, a minimum of an Upper Second Class ranking is required.
• Applicants may receive a total of two awards through the AG Bell College Scholarship program.

https://www.agbell.org

American Foundation for Blind (AFB) Scholarships: Most of AFB’s scholarships are designated for specific fields of study which are shown below.The applicants will only be considered for the scholarships that they select on the application.

Available AFB Scholarships for 2015:

• The Delta Gamma Foundation Florence Margaret Harvey Memorial Scholarship: One scholarship of $1,000 to an undergraduate or graduate student in the field of rehabilitation or education of persons who are blind or visually impaired.
• The Rudolph Dillman Memorial Scholarship: Four scholarships of $2,500 each to undergraduates or graduates who are studying full-time in the field of rehabilitation or education of persons who are blind and/or visually impaired.
• The Paul and Ellen Ruckes Scholarship: Two scholarships of $2,000 each to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in the field of engineering or in computer, physical, or life sciences.
• The R.L. Gillette Scholarship: Two scholarships of $1,000 each to women who are enrolled in a full-time four-year undergraduate degree program in literature or music. In addition to the general requirements, Gillette applicants must submit with their supporting documents:
  • A music performance on CD or a creative writing sample required for the application
• The Gladys C. Anderson Memorial Scholarship: One scholarship of $1,000 given to a female undergraduate or graduate student studying classical or religious music. In addition to the general requirements, Anderson applicants must submit with their supporting documents:
  • A music performance on CD required for the application
• The Karen D. Carsel Memorial Scholarship: one scholarship of $500 to a full-time graduate student.

General Requirements

The applicants may use this application form to apply for more than one scholarship. It is not necessary to include multiple copies of supporting documents. All applications must include the following items, without exception:

• Completed online application for 2015, including all sections of the essay
• Offical transcripts
• Two letters of recommendation
• Proof of legal blindness

Applications and supporting documents must be received by AFB no later than May 31, 2015.

https://www.afb.org

Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) War Veterans & Disabled War Veterans Scholarship: The Scholarships are made possible by generous contributions from Microsoft employees with matching funds from Microsoft, and the AFCEA Camp Pendleton and AFCEA Northern Virginia Chapters.

Merit-based scholarships of $2,500 will be awarded to honorably discharged U.S. military veterans (including Reservists and National Guard personnel) and disabled veterans of Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom Operations who are currently enrolled either part time or full time in an eligible degree program at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States. Distance-learning or online programs affiliated with a major accredited U.S. institution are eligible.

Applicant must be:

1. U.S. citizen
2. Currently enrolled and attending either a two-year or four-year accredited college or university in the United States
3. Qualified freshman, sophomore, junior or senior
4. Enrolled part time or full time in an eligible degree program

Candidate must be majoring in the following or C4I-related fields of electrical, aerospace, systems or computer engineering; computer engineering technology; computer network systems; information systems security; computer information systems; information systems management; technology management; electronics engineering technology; computer science; physics; or mathematics.

Majors directly related to the support of U.S. intelligence or national security enterprises with relevance to the mission of AFCEA will also be eligible. The application deadline is November 15, 2016.

http://www.afcea.org

Foundation for Science and Disability – Science Student Grant Fund: A goal of the Foundation for Science and Disability is to increase opportunities in science for disabled students. To promote this goal, the FOUNDATION’s Science Student Grant Fund is available to fourth year undergraduate (who have been accepted to graduate or professional school) and graduate students who have a disability. The students must be United States citizens. Awards of $1000 each will be made to college or university students for some special purpose in connection with a science project or thesis in any field of Mathematics, Science, Medicine, Engineering, or Computer Science. An award could be given for assistive device or instrument or as financial support to work with a professor on an individual research project or for some other special research need.

As part of the application, the student is required to write an essay of about 250 words. The essay should include a description of professional goals and objectives, as well as the specific purpose for which the grant would be used. Two letters of recommendation from faculty members are required, including one from the faculty member who serves or will serve as the student’s academic research advisor.

Deadline to apply: December 1, 2016.

http://www.stemd.org/

Google & Lime Connect Scholarship Program: Google and Lime Connect are committed to helping the innovators of the future make the most of their talents by providing scholarships and networking retreats for computer science students with disabilities. Selected students will also be invited to attend the annual Google Scholars’ Retreat at the Googleplex in Mountain View, California, in 2015. Candidates will also be considered for software engineering internship opportunities with Google. Scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of candidates’ academic background and demonstrated passion for computer science – $10,000 for those studying in the US and $5,000 for those studying in Canada (based on tuition costs).

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must match the following criteria:

• An undergraduate, graduate or PhD student currently enrolled at a university in the U.S. or Canada (freshmen/first years and international students studying in the U.S. or Canada are eligible to apply); and also
• Intend to be enrolled in or accepted as a full time student at a university in the U.S. or Canada in the 2015-2016 academic year
• Pursuing a Computer Science or Computer Engineering degree, or a degree in a closely related technical field (such as software engineering; or electrical engineering with a heavy computer science course load)
• Maintaining a strong academic performance
• A student with a visible or invisible disability (defined as someone who has, or considers themselves to have, a long-term, or recurring, issue that impacts one or more major activities that others may consider to be a daily function); this definition also includes the perception among others that a disability exists.
• Exemplify leadership and demonstrate a commitment to and passion for computer science and technology
• Previous Google Lime Scholars are unfortunately not able to be considered

Deadline to apply: Midnight PST on Sunday, December 6^th

http://www.limeconnect.com

National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program: To recognize achievement by blind scholars, the National Federation of the Blind annually offers blind college students in the United States and Puerto Rico the opportunity to win one of thirty merit-based, national-level scholarships worth from $3,000 to $12,000. All scholarships awarded are based on academic excellence, community service, and leadership.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

1. must be legally blind (PDF document) in both eyes, and
2. must be residing in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, and
3. must be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, postsecondary course of study in a degree program at a United States institution in the 2015 scholastic year, except that one scholarship may be given to a person employed full-time while attending school part-time, and
4. must participate in the entire NFB national convention and in all of its scheduled scholarship program activities.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:
March 31, 2016

https://nfb.org/scholarships

National Multiple Sclerosis Scholarship Program: The National MS Society’s scholarship program helps highly qualified students who have been diagnosed with MS or who have a parent with MS achieve their dreams of going to college. The Society established its scholarship program in 2003 and the program continues to grow both in terms of support and scholarships awarded. In its first year of operation the program awarded 36 scholarships for a total of $68,000; in 2014 over $1 million was awarded to 718 scholars.

This scholarship is only for individuals who are United States citizens or legal residents living in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam or any other U.S. territory. People who live outside the country who are or whose parents are in the U.S. military, government service or other U.S. corporate employees are eligible as long as they meet the basic eligibility requirements. The applicants must be enrolled for at least six credit hours per academic term to be eligible as a part-time student. The scholarship is intended for students who are pursuing a degree, license, or certificate and is not for those who want to take an occasional personal enrichment class.

Deadline: January 15, 2016

http://www.nationalmssociety.org

National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF): NHF/HANDI provides this current list of scholarships for general information purposes only. Prospective candidates will need to check with the individual sponsor or administrator of a given scholarship program for more details on specific criteria or procedures for submitting an application.

• Beth Carew Memorial Scholarship Program: Must be an individual diagnosed with hemophilia, von Willebrand disease or other inherited bleeding disorder and either entering or attending an accredited 2- or 4-year undergraduate institution in the US. High school seniors, undergrad freshmen, sophomores and juniors may also apply. Students who are pursuing or resuming an undergrad degree later in adulthood may apply if there was a gap in their academic career. Applicants will also need to show volunteer time spent directly benefitting the bleeding disorders community. The Program offers 20 scholarships each year and provides $4,000 for each scholarship. http://www.colkeen.org/?page_id=123
• Education is Power Scholarship: Individuals living with hemophilia or von Willebrand disease and attending a community college, junior college, four-year college, university, or vocational school. Must also be a US resident. About 20 scholarships will be awarded ranging in value from $500-$2,500. http://www.medprorx.com
• Pfizer Soozie Courter Hemophilia Scholarship Program: Scholarships will be awarded to applicants with hemophilia A or hemophilia B who present the best combination of a creative and persuasive essay, excellent recommendations, and superior academic standing. For the 2015-2016 academic year, Pfizer will award:
  • -Five $4,000 graduate scholarships
  • -Ten $2,500 college scholarships, including vocational schools. Please visit: http://www.hemophiliavillage.com/hemophilia-scholarship-program

http://www.hemophilia.org/Community-Resources/Scholarships

Organization for Autism Research (OAR) Scholarship Program:

The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) introduced the Schwallie Family Scholarship Program to support the post-secondary, undergraduate education of qualified individuals with an autism spectrum diagnosis. Later on, OAR expanded of the scholarship program to benefit students with more severe autism diagnoses by establishing the Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship Program. For these awards, eligible students may be attending any of the types of institutions that fall under the Schwallie Family Scholarship Program criteria, as well as one of the growing numbers of certificate and life skills / transition programs.

OAR’s scholarship program provides non-renewable $3,000 scholarships to students across the autism spectrum. Applicants must choose between one of the following options:

• The Schwallie Family Scholarship for higher-functioning students
• The Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship to support students with more severe autism diagnoses

Eligibility: Any individual with an established autism diagnosis and who will be attending an accredited institution of higher education in the United States is eligible to apply. Eligible individuals need to be enrolled on a full-time basis or be working toward certification or accreditation in a particular field (e.g., studying to be a paralegal, chef, etc.). Past recipients of a Schwallie Family Scholarship or immediate family members of any person serving on OAR’s Board of Directors or Scientific Council are not eligible to apply. Application will close on May 1, 2015. For more information, please visit: http://www.researchautism.org/news/otherevents/scholarship.asp

Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) Scholarships for Survivors: The purpose of PAF scholarship program is to provide support to individuals that are legal residents of the United States of America, under the age of 25, who have been diagnosed with or treated for cancer and/or a chronic/life threatening disease within the past five years.

Eligibility:

• Applicant must be a legal resident of the United States of America under the age of 25
• Applicant must have been diagnosed with and/or been actively treated for a life threatening disease within the past 5 years.
• Applicant must be pursuing an Associate’s Degree as a bridge to a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
  *Note: The applicant may be directly pursuing a Bachelor’s degree without pursuing an Associate’s Degree first.
• Applicant must complete Scholarship for Survivors application in full (Part A-E)
• Applicant must write an essay on how their diagnosis has impacted their lives and their future goals (1000 word maximum).
• Applicant must submit written documentation from a treating physician that outlines applicants’ medical history.
• Applicant must provide two letters of recommendation from non-related persons (examples: teachers, coaches, community leaders). Reference letters must be submitted on business letterhead and include signatory’s contact information within the letter.
• Applicant must provide an OFFICIAL high school and/or current college transcript (to include school seal); whichever is applicable.
• Applicant must submit completed financial form (Part E) that will demonstrate financial need and include a copy of the first two pages of tax return.

Scholarship Amount and Distribution:

• Award amount is $3,000 (about 12 scholarships)
• The award is payable in equal amounts (per semester/trimester/quarter) directly to the college or university for the purpose of defraying tuition, books and other fee costs.

Deadline: February 27, 2016

http://www.patientadvocate.org/events.php?p=69

Sertoma Scholarships for Hard of Hearing or Deaf Scholarship: Sertoma’s Scholarship for the Hard of Hearing or Deaf provides scholarships for hard of hearing or deaf students. Students with clinically significant bilateral hearing loss, graduating from high school, or undergraduate students pursuing four-year college degrees in any discipline are eligible for the scholarship.

Qualifications:

• Must have a minimum 40dB bilateral hearing loss, as evidenced on audiogram by an SRT of 40dB or greater in both ears
• Must be a citizen of the United States of America
• Must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree on a full-time basis at a college or university in the United States – graduate degrees, associates degrees, community colleges, and vocational programs do not qualify.
• Must have a minimum cumulative 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 un-weighted scale
  • High School senior–Cumulative GPA is for grades 9-11 and first semester for grade 12
  • College freshman – Cumulative GPA is all of high school and first semester of college
  • College sophomore or higher-Cumulative GPA for all college-level semesters completed
  • Deadline to apply: May 1, 2016 (Central Standard Time)
    

http://sertoma.org/what-we-do/scholarships/

Shire ADHD Scholarship Program: Shire is sponsoring an ADHD Scholarship to recognize students who are legal residents of the United States who are diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and who are accepted to or enrolled in a 2- or 4-year undergraduate program at an accredited college, university, technical school, trade school, or vocational school located in the US. (Students enrolled in graduate programs are not eligible for the Scholarship.) Shire will award up to fifty (50) Scholarships to recipients meeting the criteria. Each Scholarship recipient will receive a one-time scholarship of $2,000 and one year of ADHD coaching services from the Edge Foundation (approximate value of coaching services: $4,400). Awards are one-time only and are not renewable or transferable. No substitutions or transfers are permitted. The award money will be paid directly to the recipient’s qualifying institution.

• Online applications: All online applications must be submitted by February 18, 2015, 8:00 PM Eastern Time.
• Paper applications: All paper applications must be postmarked or faxed by February 18, 2015. Handwritten applications will NOT be accepted.
• Applications must either be submitted 100% online or 100% paper/hard copy. Mixed applications will NOT be accepted.

https://www.takeda.com

The Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF) Academic Scholarship Programs – The Eric Marder Scholarship Program of IDF:

The Immune Deficiency Foundation is honored to award scholarships to undergraduate students living with primary immunodeficiency diseases who plan on completing their post-secondary education. The Eric Marder Scholarship Program is open to patients with a primary immunodeficiency as classified by the World Health Organization and is intended for undergraduate students attending or entering college or a technical training school.

The applicants must submit:

• Autobiographical essay.
• Letter from an immunologist verifying your primary immunodeficiency disease
• College acceptance letter
• References from two people who are not relatives
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) NOTE: The FAFSA needs to be for the 2014 tax year. A FAFSA from a previous year will NOT be accepted.

Deadline:
April 15, 2015.

http://primaryimmune.org/services/idf-academic-scholarship-programs/

The USS Donald and Mary Ellen Passantino Scholarship for Disabled Students:

The USS Donald and Mary Ellen Passantino’s Students with Disabilities scholarship recognizes students with disabilities who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and enthusiastic leadership and service under extraordinary circumstances. Two students per campus, per academic year are awarded the scholarship.

USS requests that each campus sends four (4) candidates for each of the Donald and Mary Ellen Passantino Scholarships. USS will award one (1) Passantino Scholarship to a student with a disability, per campus in the amount of $1,000.00 each. Deadline to apply:
April 4, 2016. For more information, please visit: http://www.usscuny.org/scholarships/