The Best Autism Scholarships in 2025

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder, commonly known as autism, often experience challenges with social communication and interaction, as well as engaging in restricted or repetitive behaviors and interests. If you're someone with ASD and you're exploring your financial options for university, you've come to the right place.

This article provides a compilation of the nation's top autism scholarships in a comprehensive and easy-to-read format. By offering a combination of both exclusive and general autism scholarships, you'll be able to find matches with confidence and ease.

Bold.org is committed to bringing you the most relevant financial aid opportunities available. To deliver on that promise, we provide Bold.org scholarships, grants, and fellowships, as well as research other scholarships and grants so that you can save time. With years of experience creating scholarship guides, we’re proud to provide you with a carefully researched and reviewed list of opportunities for autism students.

Regardless of your experiences, we are dedicated to ensuring you have the same opportunities as anyone else to achieve your higher education goals. This means that in addition to a list of the best autism scholarships, we'll be diving into application tips, a comprehensive breakdown of eligibility criteria, and autism organizations where you can find additional opportunities not listed.

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Understanding Autism Scholarships

Autism scholarships are a form of financial aid for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). According to the National Institute of Mental Health, ASD is a "neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave."

There's a reason ASD has "spectrum" in its name—everyone experiences autism differently, and it's more accurately described on a spectrum. This means that not all people with autism will display the same behavioral characteristics and traits to the same extent.

Many scholarships take that into account and provide support for students with autism regardless of how explicitly they display symptoms of ASD. These scholarships can help cover the costs of tuition, fees, and other educational expenses.

Most scholarships provide a set amount of money, for example, $5,000, that must be used to pay for tuition costs. Other scholarships may provide networking opportunities and free access to additional resources, whether financial, academic, or cognitive.

Eligibility Criteria and Application Process

The most important part of any scholarship is its eligibility criteria. This ensures you can qualify for the award and helps you target your efforts.

Eligibility criteria for autism scholarships vary but often include a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and acceptance into a postsecondary education program. Applications typically require documentation of the student’s autism diagnosis, which can come from your healthcare service provider, and proof of enrollment from your university.

In addition, school transcripts and letters of recommendation may be required as supplemental materials. Finally, some scholarships may also require a personal statement or essay. This is a crucial component that allows you to demonstrate your unique experiences and passions in your own words.

Meeting the eligibility criteria and fulfilling all the application requirements will ensure you have maximized your chances.

Scholarships with the fewest eligibility requirements include no-essay scholarships, which you can apply for in the next ten minutes!

Scholarship Programs for Students with Autism

1. Schwallie Family Scholarship

Award Amount: $3,000

Application Requirements:

1. Basic demographic information
2. Essay responses
3. Proof of enrollment
4. A letter of recommendation (optional but strongly encouraged)

The Schwallie Family Scholarship supports students with ASD, including Asperger Syndrome, who are pursuing undergraduate education. A unique aspect of this scholarship application is the ability to respond to essay questions in creative formats such as an audio recording or slideshow. Additionally, proof of diagnosis is not required unless you're selected as a finalist.

2. Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship

Award Amount: $3,000

Application Requirements:

1. Basic demographic information
2. Written responses to essays
3. Proof of enrollment
4. Two letters of recommendation

The Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship is a scholarship for students with autism who are attending a two-year undergraduate college, life skills program, or vocational school. Provided by the same organization as the Schwallie Family Scholarship, this scholarship program differs by focusing on students going into less conventional educational opportunities such as trade schools.

3. Evolving Heroes Scholarship

Award Amount: $2,500

Application Requirements:

1. Completed Google Form application
2. Proof of diagnosis
3. Proof of residency
4. A personal statement or video
5. Two letters of recommendations
6. Signed Affidavit and Photo/Video Release
7. Final transcript

Sponsored by the Autism Hero Project, the Evolving Heroes Scholarship provides financial support to autistic individuals pursuing higher education or vocational training programs. Since this is a merit-based scholarship, applicants should focus on their academic and extra-curricular achievements in their application.

State-Specific Autism Scholarships

In addition to autism scholarships that are open to students of any state, there are also local organizations that provide support for students in their neighborhoods. If you're a resident of the following states, you should apply and capitalize on smaller applicant pools to maximize your chances!

1. Iowa | Sue Askeland Honorable Scholarship: This scholarship supports high school seniors in Iowa who plan on attending a higher education institution. Applicants will need to provide a 500-word personal statement in addition to documentation for diagnosis and enrollment.
2. West Coast | INCIGHT Scholarship: The INCIGHT Scholarship is open to residents of Washington, Oregon, and California who have a documented disability. INCIGHT scholars are chosen based on outstanding service to their community and personal resilience.
3. Delaware | Adults with Autism Scholarship: Sponsored by the Delaware Autism organization, this $1,000 scholarship supports adults with autism who are pursuing post-secondary education.

Find more state-specific scholarships through our scholarship search engine!

Autism Scholarship Opportunities Provided by Organizations

There are many regional and national organizations dedicated to researching ASD and supporting those with ASD. These organizations commonly offer autism scholarships specifically to support students with autism.

1. Organization for Autism Research

The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) was founded in 2001 with the mission of using applied science to answer questions that autistic individuals and their loved ones face on a daily basis.

This organization provides three unique scholarships of $3,000 each for students with autism. In addition to the Schwallie Family Scholarship and the Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship, they also offer scholarships for students of color. You can explore all three OAR scholarships today and apply for what's relevant.

2. Autism Society

The Autism Society is a national organization with many region-specific affiliates. This organization provides extensive national programs such as helplines, training resources, and networking opportunities to increase employment.

They also offer scholarships through their local organizations, such as the Iowa Autism Society. To find scholarships you qualify for, simply look up the name of your state, followed by Autism Society.

3. Autism Speaks Foundation

The Autism Speaks Foundation is dedicated to creating an inclusive world for those with autism. They have various programs that champion their ideals through advocacy, research, and advanced care services.

While their financial support primarily targets research projects, they also provide an extensive list of organizations that offer scholarships and grants for individuals with autism and their families. You should definitely check this list out for even more scholarship opportunities.

If you have strong academic and extra-curricular achievement, you should apply to these merit-based scholarships today to reduce your college costs!

General Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

While autism scholarships are your best option for targeted financial aid, general scholarships for students with disabilities are also a good option. These scholarships are often more well-funded, so you can meet your financial need quicker.

Scholarships for High School Seniors

1. Microsoft Disability Scholarship: Awarded by one of the world's top tech companies, this scholarship gifts $20,000 to 8 promising students pursuing one of these majors: engineering, computer science, computer information systems, law, business, or a related field. Applicants must be high school seniors with a disability, as defined by the WHO.
2. Anne Ford Scholarship: This is a $10,000 scholarship award funded by the National Center for Learning Disabilities. Applicants must be high school seniors who will enroll full-time in the fall at an accredited university.
3. KFM Making a Difference for Autism Scholarship: This scholarship gives away $500 to high school students with autism. Unlike many other US-based scholarships, this award is open to both US citizens and international students.

Discover more scholarships for high school seniors!

Scholarships for College Students

1. NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship: This scholarship provides $5,625 to eight outstanding students with disabilities. It is open to high school seniors, undergraduates, and graduates pursuing careers in media, communications, or entertainment.
2. BMO Capital Markets Lime Connect Equity Through Education Scholarship: This scholarship awards $10,000 to American students and $5,000 to Canadian students. Applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students studying business/commerce, computer science, engineering, math, physics, statistics, or a related discipline.
3. AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability: This scholarship, provided by the American Association on Health Disability, recognizes and awards students with disabilities who are pursuing a health or disability-related field. Applicants must be undergraduates or graduate students enrolled.

Got a Bachelor's degree and are thinking about going into grad school? Check out our top picks for graduate school scholarships!

Tips for Applying for Autism Scholarships

Applying for autism scholarships can seem intimidating, but don't worry, it's a very straightforward process as long as you start early and understand all the components. Here are some essential tips to enhance your chances of success:

1. Start Early and Research Multiple Opportunities: Begin your search well in advance to ensure you have enough time to explore various scholarships. Utilize online resources, local autism support groups, and school counselors to find scholarships that fit your needs.
2. Review Eligibility Criteria and Application Requirements Carefully: Each scholarship has unique criteria, such as residency, educational level, or autism diagnosis documentation. Ensure you meet all requirements before applying to avoid wasting time on ineligible applications.
3. Provide Thorough Documentation: Most scholarships for students with autism require evidence of the diagnosis. Gather comprehensive records, such as a letter from a healthcare provider or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and ensure they are current and properly formatted. Highlighting educational goals and achievements can also strengthen your application.
4. Follow Up After Submitting Your Application: Confirm with the scholarship provider that your application has been received and is complete. This step can prevent any misunderstandings or delays in processing. A polite email is often enough.

Get more in-depth tips with our complete guide to applying for scholarships!

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