10 Scholarships for Graduate Students with Disabilities

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Most disabled people have the opportunity to finish an undergraduate degree, but sometimes, do not have the financial capacity to obtain more degrees as they desire. But there is an open opportunity for people with disabilities to further their education, through Scholarships.

This is the reason this article is written, to inform people living with disabilities that there is hope for further education as there are scholarships for Graduate Students with Disabilities that are open for application.

If you have a talent for dancing, there are dance scholarships that you can apply for and benefit from your talent in College.

In this article, I will be outlining the various requirements and eligibilities for Scholarship application, and what the various Scholarship opportunities have to offer. There are other scholarships for disabled students, that one can also apply for and study your desired career.

Without wasting time, let me delve properly into the Scholarships.

Scholarships for Graduate Students with Disabilities

Scholarships for Graduate Students with Disabilities

In this section, I will be listing out and fully explaining the various Scholarships that are available for application for Graduate Students with disabilities. Stay with me as I talk about them one after another. They are as follows;

  • 180 Medical
  • American Association of People with Disabilities
  • American Association on Health and Disability
  • American Foundation for the Blind
  • Cochlear, Ltd.
  • Elizabeth Nash Foundation
  • Hemophilia Federation of America
  • Hemophilia Village
  • Ethel Louise Armstrong (ELA) Foundation Scholarship (for women graduate students)
  • Lighthouse Guild

1.       180 Medical

The 180 Medical Scholarship Program is open to full-time college students living with specific medical conditions, including spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, transverse myelitis, neurogenic bladder, or an ostomy. It is the first on our list of Scholarships for Graduate Students with Disabilities.

In order to be eligible, applicants must be:

  • A legal resident of the United States
  • Accepted to a two-year, four-year, or graduate school program full-time in the fall of the year of application

Additionally, applicants must be under a physician’s care for one of the following conditions:

  • Spinal cord injury
  • Spina bifida
  • Transverse myelitis
  • Neurogenic bladder
  • Ostomy (ileostomy, colostomy, and/or urostomy)

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: Early June

2.       American Association of People with Disabilities

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities.

As a national cross-disability rights organization, AAPD advocates for full civil rights for the over 60 million Americans with disabilities by promoting equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation.

AAPD offers scholarships to graduate students with disabilities that are pursuing degrees in communications or other media-related studies,

Amount: $5,625

Deadline: Varies

3.       American Association on Health and Disability

This is the next on the list of Scholarships for Graduate Students with Disabilities. The AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability is awarded annually to deserving students with a disability who are pursuing undergraduate/graduate studies (must be at least enrolled as a sophomore in college) in an accredited university and who are pursuing studies related to health and disability.

Interested applicants must:

  • Provide a Personal Statement (maximum 2 pages, double spaced), including a brief personal history, educational/career goals, extra-curricular activities, and reasons why they should be selected by the AAHD Scholarship Committee. This statement must be written solely by the applicant.
  • Provide two (2) Letters of Recommendation (One must be from a faculty member or academic advisor).
  • Provide an official or unofficial copy of their most recent college transcript, which should be mailed to AAHD (Attn: Scholarship Committee, American Association on Health and Disability, 110 N. Washington Street, Suite 407, Rockville, MD 20850) in a sealed envelope or uploaded on the application website.
  • Verify their disability status by providing documentation of their disability from a specialist (physician, educator, et. al).
  • Agree to allow AAHD to use his/her name, photo, and/or story in future scholarship materials

Amount: Up to $1,000

Deadline: Mid-November

4.       American Foundation for the Blind

AFB offers numerous scholarships to graduate students with visual disabilities, including one for individuals studying a topic related to the rehabilitation or education of blind individuals. Other eligible fields of study include STEM, literature, or music. It is next on the list of scholarships for Graduate Students with Disabilities.

Amount: $1,000-$2,500

Deadline: Late May

5.       Cochlear, Ltd.

Cochlear offers several prestigious scholarships in honor of the amazing innovators who developed our hearing solutions.

As the global leader in implantable hearing solutions, we have provided more than 600,000 implantable devices – more than any other company – helping people of all ages to hear and connect with life’s opportunities. Below are the two types of Scholarships offered;

Graeme Clark Scholarship: The Cochlear Graeme Clark Scholarship is an achievement award open to Cochlear Nucleus Implant recipients. Applicants must be a citizen of the United States or Canada.

Anders Tjellström Scholarship: The Cochlear Anders Tjellström Scholarship is an achievement award open to Baha and Osia recipients. Applicants must be a citizen of the United States or Canada.

  • Scholarship applicants must be a Cochlear Nucleus, Baha, or Osia recipient
  • Applicants must be a citizen of the United States or Canada
  • Available to graduated high school seniors, and undergraduate or graduate students that have applied to or will be enrolled in an accredited college or university
  • Scholarship applicants must receive a 3.0 GPA (unweighted) or above, from their current academic institution, to apply for and maintain the scholarship
  • Cochlear employees or their family members are not eligible to apply
  • Each winner can only receive the scholarship one time
  • The scholarship value is $2,000 per year for up to four consecutive years
  • Scholarship recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA or above
  • The scholarship is paid in annual installments upon completion of each year of study
  • Official transcripts must be received within 60 days of completion of the school year in order to receive payment (or no later than June 30th)

Amount: $2,000 for up to four years

Deadline: Early October

6.       Elizabeth Nash Foundation

The Elizabeth Nash Foundation awards scholarships to assist persons with CF to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees.  Since the program’s inception in 2005, more than 200 grants have been awarded. 

Eligibility Criteria: The Elizabeth Nash Foundation Scholarship program is open to individuals with CF who are in-going or current undergraduate or graduate students at an accredited US-based college or university.  Given limited resources, the program is currently only open to US citizens.

Selection Criteria: In selecting applicants, the Elizabeth Nash Foundation Scholarship Committee takes into consideration each applicant’s scholastic record, character, demonstrated leadership, service to CF-related causes and the broader community, and need for financial assistance.

Application Requirements: In addition to completing a short data form, applicants are required to submit a one-page essay, a letter of recommendation from a teacher, a letter confirming CF diagnosis, and an academic transcript.  In addition, applicants are required to submit specific details of fees and tuition costs from their academic institution.

Scholarship recipients must be willing to support the Foundation, at the Board of Directors’ request, by writing an article for publication by the Foundation, writing up to 10 thank you notes to donors and/or 5 – 10 fund raising letters in support of ENF, or in some other manner nominated by the recipient.

Amount: $1,000 to $2,500

Deadline: Early February

7.       Hemophilia Federation of America

 The Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA) was incorporated in 1994 and began working as a voice and advocate for the bleeding disorders patient and caregiver community.

They offer different Scholarship opportunities such as;

HFA Educational Scholarship:

Eligibility Requirements;

  • A person with a bleeding disorder
  • Seeking a post-secondary education from a college, university, or trade school

Application Requirements

 The following materials for all scholarships must be submitted. All materials MUST be submitted as separate documents:

  • Completed application
  • Essay: 750 to 1500 words (see the application for the essay prompt)
  • Transcript (official or unofficial)
  • Acceptance letter (for freshmen and transfer students, only)
  • Two letters of reference (both letters from a professional, like a teacher or supervisor)
  • Proof of a bleeding disorder (documentation that you/your family member has a bleeding disorder)

HFA Medical/Health Services Educational Scholarship:

Eligibility Requirements

  • A person with a bleeding disorder or related to someone with a bleeding disorder
  • Must be pursuing a degree in the medical/healthcare services field

Application Requirements are the same as the previous scholarship ( HFA Educational Scholarship)

Amount: Up to $1,000

Deadline: Late July

8.       Hemophilia Village

For more than 20 years, Pfizer has provided educational support to students living with hemophilia. Named in honor of a pioneer in the field of hemophilia research, the Soozie Courter Hemophilia Scholarship Program is designed to inspire students living with hemophilia to achieve their educational goals.

Amount: $4,000

Deadline: Late May

9.       Ethel Louise Armstrong (ELA) Foundation Scholarship (for women graduate students)

The mission of The Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation, Inc. (ELA) is to “Change the Face of Disability on the Planet.”. Through ELA, they have the opportunity to offer scholarships to women with disabilities who are currently pursuing graduate degrees.

ELA Scholarships are available only to women graduate students with physical disabilities who are enrolled in a college or university in the United States. These scholarships are awarded on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis. Scholarships range between $500 and $2,000. There are other scholarships for women that one can also enroll in.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements;

  • The student must be a woman with a physical disability.
  • The student must be currently accepted to a graduate program working towards a Master’s degree or above in an accredited college or university in the United States.
  • The student must be active in a local, state, or national disability organization – either in person or electronically – which is providing services and/or advocacy for people with disabilities.
  • The student must be willing, as an ELA Scholar, to network with the ELA Board of Directors and previous ELA Scholarship recipients on our listserv. This will enhance the ELA Scholar’s support base in professional and advocacy arenas.
  • The student must be willing, as an ELA Scholar, to update the ELA Foundation with an annual letter on September 1st of each year on her progress in her academic and/or working career.

Amount: Between $500 and $2,000

Deadline: Early June

10.   Lighthouse Guild

This is the last on the list of Scholarships for Graduate Students with Disabilities. They believe that nothing should stop people who are blind or visually impaired from pursuing higher education, especially the cost.

 To help, they offer merit-based scholarships for students with vision loss who are newly transitioning to college or graduate education.

Each year, they offer up to 20 scholarships for outstanding high school students who are legally blind from across the United States.

They also provide an annual scholarship to at least one qualifying graduate student. The award is unrestricted, so it can be used as needed: for tuition, room and board, books, supplies, or travel.

If you have a record of strong academic accomplishment and merit, apply for a Lighthouse Guild scholarship and take another step toward the advanced education you deserve.

Amount: Up to $10,000

Deadline: Late March

Conclusion

With these Scholarships that I have talked about, graduate students with disabilities can confidently and freely apply for any of them, and further their education and learning process.

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