5 Scholarships for Disabled International Students in USA

This article on Scholarships for disabled International Students in USA has tons of information about these Scholarships and what you stand to benefit from if you apply for them.

There are numerous disabilities in human beings, and as a result of these disabilities, their way of life is affected and restricted. Most of the things an average human can do cannot be done by a disabled person. Disability can be physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory.

Disability can also affect one’s education, as there may not be enough funds to enroll a disabled person in a school. As a result, most disabled persons are not given the privilege of proper education. But I want to let you know through this article that there are Scholarship opportunities available for disabled students, specifically for international students, who wish to study in USA.

If you love poetry, your love for it can get you a poetry scholarship, if you apply for it as a high school student.

 Without further ado, let’s delve properly into the various Scholarships for disabled International Students in USA.

Scholarships for Disabled International Students in USA

Scholarships for Disabled International Students in USA

There are numerous Scholarships available for International students to apply for, but in this section, I will be talking about the Scholarships for disabled International students in USA. Listed below are the Scholarships;

  • National Center for Learning Disabilities Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarships
  • Shire Canada ADHD Scholarship Program
  • AAHD Frederick J Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability
  • Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) College Scholarship Program
  • Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship

1.       National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarships

This is the first on the list of Scholarships for disabled International students in USA.

NCLD was founded in 1977 by Carrie and Pete Rozelle as the Foundation for Children with Learning Disabilities. Its mission was to provide leadership, public awareness and grants to support research and innovative practices in learning disabilities.

The mission of NCLD is to improve the lives of 1 in 5 children and adults nationwide with learning and attention issues, by empowering parents and young adults, transforming schools, and advocating for equal rights and opportunities.

The Anne Ford Scholarship is a $10,000 scholarship ($2,500/year over four years) granted to graduating high school seniors who will be enrolled in a full-time bachelor’s degree program in the fall. Students must have a documented learning disability (LD) and/or ADHD.

Learning disabilities and ADHD are brain-based difficulties in reading, writing, math, organization, focus, listening comprehension, social skills, motor skills, or a combination of these. Learning disabilities are also known as learning and attention issues (dyslexia, dyscalculia, etc.) and ADHD.

Some requirements are needed for interested applicants to apply for the scholarship. Applicants need to complete an online application. The application is a multi-page online form with requests for documentation to confirm your learning disability and/or ADHD; academic documentation; recommendation forms; and financial forms.

2.       Shire Canada ADHD Scholarship Program

This is the next on the list of Scholarships for disabled International students in USA.

Shire Canada Inc. launched a new, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Scholarship Program tailored for Canadians 18 and over, diagnosed with ADHD who are pursuing post-secondary education.

 The Program awards recipients with a unique scholarship that combines financial support for tuition ($1,500) as well as one year’s worth of ADHD coaching services provided by the Edge Foundation (approximate value: $4,400).

The Scholarship’s ADHD coaching component is specifically designed to address the challenges that students with ADHD may face during the transition to higher education.

This scholarship is open to legal residents of Alberta, Ontario, or Québec who are:

  • Accepted to or enrolled in a post-secondary program at a Canadian accredited two-year or four-year college, university, trade, technical school, or vocational school located in Alberta, Ontario, or Québec;
  • Of the age of majority in their province of residence; and
  • Diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and under the care of a licensed healthcare professional for ADHD.

3.       AAHD Frederick J Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability

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.

  • Applicant must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student and must have completed one full year of college or more.
  • Applicant must have a disability as defined by the American with Disabilities Act and must provide documentation to verify this.
  • Preference will be given to students majoring in public health, disability studies, health promotion or a field related to disability and health.
  • Preference will be given to students with a history of community service and/or volunteer activities.
  • Applicant must be a US citizen or legal resident living in the United States and enrolled in an accredited United States university.

Funding Information and Application Requirements:

Funds are limited to under $1,000. The AAHD Board of Directors Scholarship Committee will evaluate each of the applicants. It is the discretion of the Scholarship Committee to determine how many scholarships will be awarded each year and the amount of each scholarship.

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
  • 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.

4.       Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) College Scholarship Program

At AG Bell International, they work globally to provide support, guidance, and information to families who want their children to learn to listen and speak, and to deaf people who want to participate in society on equal terms.

Eligibility:

  • You must have bilateral hearing loss diagnosed before the age of 4.
  • You must use Listening and Spoken Language as your primary communication mode.
  • You must be enrolled in or planning to attend a mainstream university and working toward a four-year undergraduate degree or a graduate degree.

Things to Prepare:

  • If you use hearing aids, include an unaided audiogram dated no earlier than March 1, 2020. Use this to calculate your Pure Tone Average (PTA), which must be 55dB or higher. The formula is in the application.
  • If you use cochlear implants (CI), include your recent CI report (you already meet the PTA requirement). 

Transcripts:

  • High school: Showing grades 9-11 and the first semester of senior year.
  • College freshman: Include your high school transcript and the first semester of your freshman year.
  • Four-year undergraduate and graduate students: Include college transcript only. If your college only uses an online access format, upload the acknowledgment from the school in your application and provide this address to the school: scholarships@agbell.org.

Unweighted GPA: 

  • US: 3.25 or higher.
  • Outside the US: See application for international grade conversion.
  • All Applicants: If your school doesn’t use a 4.0 scale or doesn’t include your unweighted GPA on your transcript, you must include an official letter from your school explaining what your unweighted GPA would be. 

5.       Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship

This nationally-based scholarship awards money to aspiring individuals with disabilities who wish to further their education.

 They know how important higher education is to the pursuit of a rewarding career, and are honored to help deserving disabled students enjoy the full benefits of post-secondary education at the college or university level.

The annual winning applicant of the Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship is awarded the amount of $5000.

Scholarship funds may be used to assist with tuition, books, and related educational expenses at qualifying undergraduate institutions, and in the curriculum of their choice.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent U.S. resident with a documented disability
  • Be accepted to an institution of higher learning (two- or four-year undergraduate program) – or –
  • Be enrolled in a two- or four-year undergraduate program currently.

Applicants will provide the following accreditation:

The following documents must be provided for consideration and sent by email only via the Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship Submission Form;

  • Medical documentation of disability
  • Proof of legal U.S. residency (driver’s license, birth certificate, passport, etc.)
  • College Acceptance Letter – or – Current College ID
  • Most recent transcript (college or high school)
  • Upcoming fall class schedule (verifying 12 credit hours or more)

Essay Submission

Applicants for the Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship will submit an original essay of no less than 700 words and no more than 1500 words on the following topic:

  • Explain the impact your disability has had on your life and how it will influence you in the future. Specifically describe a challenge or hardship that you had to deal with because of your condition, and how you were able to overcome it.
  • At the top of your essay: Please type your full name, email address, mailing address, and phone number. Also include a brief paragraph about yourself, the college or university you attend or will attend, and your plans and goals for the future.
  • Your name may be shared with the public.

Please DO NOT include:

  • Letters of recommendation, tax returns, resumes, bank statements or any other materials not mentioned above.

Essay Writing Tips

  • Awards based on essay content offer equitable opportunities among disabled students of all backgrounds and financial circumstances.
  • Submissions should be serious in nature and thoughtfully and purposefully written. The essay topic is an issue full of opportunities for creative and compelling writing. Use the essay to set yourself apart from all other applicants.
  • Remember: you are trying to show why you deserve the scholarship. Take the time to plan and prepare a scholarship-worthy essay. Proofread intensely and double-check facts and details.
  • Be original and sincere in your writing. Plagiarized essay content or false information will be grounds for disqualification.

How Is the Disability Scholarship Decided?

  • The essay portion is the bulk of the application and is used to determine the winner of the Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship.
  • Scholarships are awarded based on the originality, merit, and substantive quality of the essay.
  • Essays are evaluated by attorney Marc Whitehead along with an outside panel of judges comprised of (2 to 6) leaders in disability advocacy.

Conclusion

These Scholarships are open for interested applicants who wish to apply and start the career journey of their choice.

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