A Guide to Scholarships for the Disabled Student

Students who are faced with a disability challenge have opportunities to achieve their goals and earn a college degree. Numerous foundations, both public and private, offer generous annual scholarships to the qualifying applicant. The following is a guide to scholarships for the disabled student desiring to study online.

Disabled War Veterans Scholarship, co-sponsored by Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft employees and AFCEA Educational Foundation, awards two $2,500 disability scholarships to eligible students studying at an accredited college or university offering an online degree program in the United States. Academic excellence, leadership and financial need is considered, in addition to two letters of recommendation from professors.

Paralyzed Veterans of America, Michigan Chapter Scholarship Program offers two $500 scholarships for disabled veterans per year to a qualifying student studying online.

Blinded Veterans Association awards the spouse and dependent children of blinded veterans an opportunity to obtain their education with a scholarship from the Kathern F. Gruber fund.

1800 Wheelchair Scholarship awards $500 to an undergraduate of any major with a mobility disability. A 300-500 word essay is required with a specific topic assigned.

AmeriGlide Achiever Scholarship offers twice a year, $500 and full time use of a wheelchair, to the eligible student with a minimum of 3.0 GPA and a required essay with a 500 word minimum.

American Council of the Blind awards $1,000-$5,000 each, in an amount of twelve individual disability scholarships per year to qualifying applicants.

American Foundation for the Blind gives $1,000 and up in funding for numerous scholarships in general or specific interests in online degree programs.

Association of Blind Citizens Scholarship, Reggie Johnson Memorial Scholarship offers $2,000 to students who qualify.

Lighthouse International Scholarships award $5,000 each for eligible applicants.

Through the Looking Glass and National Center for Parents with Disabilities and Their Families award five $1,000 scholarships to students whose parents are disabled.

Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation gives $1,000-$5,000 scholarships to disabled female students.

The Foundation for Science and Disability Scholarship awards $1,000 to science graduate students.

Incight Scholarships offer $750 to students with physical, learning and cognitive disabilities.

Anne Ford Scholarship offers a generous award of $10,000 to the student who can be a role model to others with a learning disability.

In addition to this guide to scholarships for the disabled, more information may be obtained at the following websites.

• http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3disable.htm
• http://www.afcea.org/education/scholarships/undergraduate/DisabledVeteranScholarship.asp
• http://www.scholarshipworkshop.com/disabled.html