13 College Scholarships for Students with Autism

Here, you will find up-to-date information on college scholarships for students with autism and how these special individuals can apply for the scholarships.

Autism, also known as the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder that impairs the ability of an individual to communicate and interact. This disorder impacts the nervous system making social interactions difficult, obsessive interests, and repetitive behaviour.

The main cause of autism can be associated with a genetic disorder and it is treated through therapy. It begins from childhood and if noticed early can be treated through educational and other behavioural therapies. There is no actual cure for it and it never fully goes away, these therapies only help to put the condition under control.

Some people with autism cannot communicate the way others do, they barely speak, they can’t hold eye contact, nor mingle with other kids. Some autistic persons can however do some of these things to an extent.

These special individuals have been taken into consideration by some kind-hearted people who decided to start foundations and charity organizations to provide college scholarships for students with autism. There are actually general scholarships for disabled people that students with autism can apply for but these are the specific ones for autistic individuals.

These college scholarships for students with autism helps to improve options for students and adults diagnosed with the disorder supporting them in pursuing higher education.

Without further ado, let’s dive into these particular types of scholarships.

College Scholarships for Students with Autism

The following are the scholarships specifically for students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder;

  • Autism Delaware Scholarships

  • Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship for Autism

  • Organization for Autism Research (OAR)

  • KFM Making A Difference

  • Percy Martinez Autism Scholarship

  • Autism Research Texas (ART)

  • Law Office of David P. Shapiro Autism Scholarship

  • Kelly Law Team Autism Scholarship Contest

  • Law Offices of David A. Black Autism Scholarship

  • Phoenix Attorneys Autism Scholarship Award

  • Dentistry by John Barras, DDS Autism Scholarship

  • Incight Scholarship

  • Varghese Summersett Autism Scholarship

Autism Delaware Scholarships

Autism Delaware is an independent nonprofit organization located in Delaware. The organization was started by parents who shared the common experience of autism to provide students with autism the financial resources they’d need to pursue their career of choice in a higher institution.

The Autism Delaware organization offers two different college scholarships for students with autism, the scholarships are;

  • The Daniel and Lois Gray Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to a student with autism that wants to pursue a degree related to autism at the University of Delaware. The scholarship value is $1,000
  • Adult with Autism Scholarship: This is the second scholarship offered by the Autism Delaware organization. This scholarship is for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder who are residents of the state of Delaware and want to pursue a college or post-secondary education.

Apply for this scholarship here.

Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship for Autism

The Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship is one of the college scholarships for students with autism awarded annually by The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C. to students diagnosed with autism or a close relative who has the disorder. The scholarship value is $5,000 and there are certain requirements put in place to get this scholarship.

Applicant must have been enrolled at an accredited college or university or about to and write an essay of at least 500 words and at most 1000 words, and an official or unofficial academic transcript.

Apply for this scholarship here.

Organization for Autism Research (OAR)

Organization for Autism Research (OAR) is a charity foundation founded by the Schwallie family and is dedicated to making better the lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Through donations from the family and other board members, the organization can provide college scholarships for students with autism.

OAR provides two different scholarship options for students with autism to choose from, they are the Schwallie Family Scholarship and the Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship.

  • Schwallie Family Scholarship: The Schwallie family plays a huge role in setting up the OAR and through this organization provides college scholarships for students with autism. The scholarship supports students attending a two or four-year higher institution to pursue any degree program of their choice.
  • The Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship: OAR provides college scholarships for students with autism or who face daily challenges related to autism. It supports students who are enrolled in a two-year university, life skills or post-secondary programs, or vocational, technical, or trade schools.

To be eligible for any of the college scholarships for students with autism provided by OAR, you must be an individual diagnosed with autism, must show proof of diagnosis, and also will be attending an accredited higher institution in the United States.

The scholarship value is $3000, apply here.

KFM Making A Difference

Just as the name implies, the KFM Making A Difference is a nonprofit organization with the sole purpose of making a beneficial or positive difference in the lives of people living with autism. As part of making a difference, the organization provides college scholarships for students with autism.

Who can apply for this scholarship?

  1. High school students with autism that want to attend a post-secondary institution
  2. Students with autism enrolled in a college program
  3. Open for application to all upcoming and current college students with autism in the U.S and internationally.

The scholarship is worth $500 which will be used to pay for the students’ higher education.

The KFM scholarship also requires some documents for application;

  • A cover letter that includes a bio of no more than 250 words, the higher institution program accepted in or currently attending like college, community college, a vocational program, etc. Autism diagnosis and age you were diagnosed, full name, address, telephone number, and email.
  • Resume
  • Essay along with three photos you’d like to include in your essay

Apply for this scholarship here.

Percy Martinez Autism Scholarship

Percy Martinez is a well-known lawyer in the state of Florida, USA, and provides college scholarships for students with autism. He, Percy, provides this scholarship to aid students with autism and cut down the cost of their education, and also grow the next generation of students living with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The scholarship amount is $5,000, see deadline here.

To qualify for the Percy Martinez Scholarship you need to meet the following requirements;

  1. You must fall into one of the categories; high school, undergraduate, graduate, or autism school
  2. Fulfil any one of the categories
  • Be involved in a program either as a volunteer or an intern
  • Shown educational interest
  • Recently enrolled in an accredited school
  • Two letters of recommendation
  1. A 3-4 minutes video or essay of 100-600 words on the topic “what are your thoughts on the future of education?”

Autism Research Texas (ART)

Autism Research is an organization based in Texas to help individuals living with autism in whatever way they can. They run research projects and offer college scholarships for students with autism to aid in their higher education or train them for jobs.

The scholarship worth is $500 and it is offered annually, so if you miss this year you can always check in the next year. You need to meet the following eligibility requirements;

  • A Texan resident diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder who has completed high school or earned a GED. Has been accepted into a higher institution such as college, trade school, vocational training, university, or community college.
  • A cover letter saying why you are pursuing post-secondary education and your plans for employment
  • Resume
  • Academic transcript
  • Proof that you have the Autism Spectrum Disorder

See deadline here

Law Office of David P. Shapiro Autism Scholarship

The Law Office of David P. Shapiro has in the past four years provides college scholarships for students with autism who wants to continue their education in a higher institution. The scholarship will be used to pay a portion of the tuition for the recipient at a college or vocational institution.

To apply for the scholarship, you must provide proof of your diagnosed ASD and intend on continuing your education.

Apply for this scholarship here.

Kelly Law Team Autism Scholarship Contest

The Kelly Law Team is offering $1,000 college scholarships for students with autism to offset their tuition or other fees in their pursuit of higher education. The scholarship was established to encourage these special students to pursue a program in college or vocational training.

Applicants must be from the United States and provide an essay of up to 100 words explaining how continuing your education will advance your career goals and an optional essay of up to 1,000 words recounting how the Autism Spectrum Disorder has had an impact on your educational goals to date.

Apply for this scholarship here.

Law Offices of David A. Black Autism Scholarship

The Law Offices of David A. Black once again offers $1,000 college scholarships for students with autism who want to advance their education at any accredited college or vocational training. This scholarship will support these special students to pursue their academic aspirations.

Applicants must be U.S citizens. Apply for this scholarship here.

Phoenix Attorneys Autism Scholarship Award

This is a law firm that takes pleasure in assisting students with autism, providing them with scholarships they can use to offset or reduce their college, university, or vocational training fee. The scholarship amount is $1,000 and open to United States citizens who want to further their education at a higher institution.

Apply for this scholarship here.

Dentistry by John Barras, DDS Autism Scholarship

This scholarship is offered to students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder which will be applied to their college or university tuition. The scholarship was established by Dr. John Barras to encourage students with autism to pursue the career of their choice at an accredited higher institution.

The application requirements include an essay of over 150 words and an optional essay of 800 words explaining how ASD has had an impact on your experience in fulfilling your educational goals.

Apply for this scholarship here.

Incight Scholarship

Incight provides college scholarships for students with autism as well as individuals with other disabilities. It is a general scholarship for people with disabilities who want to pursue higher education in an accredited college, university, or vocational institution.

To be eligible for the Incight scholarship, applicants must be diagnosed with autism or other disability and show proof, be a resident of Washington, Oregon, or California. Students should also demonstrate excellent academic performance and service to their community to win this award.

Apply for this scholarship here.

Varghese Summersett Autism Scholarship

Varghese Summersett is helping individuals living with one disability or another such as down syndrome and autism. The award provides college scholarships for students with autism to help offset their tuition fees toward college, university, or vocational training.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be 15 years old or younger and show proof of autism through diagnosis. The award is worth $500, see deadline and application link here.

These are the currently available college scholarships for students with autism, the links for application are provided in each of the details. Read the eligibility requirements and application process carefully to not commit any errors and avoid mistakes.

You can apply for more than one of these scholarships but if you have received a particular type before you won’t be able to apply for that particular one anymore as you will become ineligible to do so. But you can apply for the other ones you’ve never benefitted from.

Even if you don’t have Autism Spectrum Disorder, you may want to show this post to a relative or anyone you know that suffers from the disorder. If this post isn’t for you, check the recommendations below to see more.

Recommendation

5 comments

  1. While I love that the promotion of scholarships for people with ASD is being shared on this site, the way in which the disorder is spoken about in the beginning is a very outdated and stereotyped view.
    “People with autism cannot communicate the way others do, they barely speak, they can’t hold eye contact, nor mingle with other kids. They are usually by themselves and have no connection with the outside world.”
    This is a very terrible and inaccurate way to communicate how people with autism operate. While there are people with ASD that are non-verbal, roughly 60% of them are not. They can be fully capable of communicating in a substantial and “normal” manner. Some of them CAN hold eye contact, communicate the way that others do, and mingle with other kids. It’s not a one size fits all disorder.
    I suggest whoever wrote this educates themself on Autism Spectrum Disorder before putting this type of stereotypical, ableist, outdated, and inaccurate statement into the world.
    Do better.

Comments are closed.