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Individualized Education Pathway Scholarship

$500
1 winner$500
Awarded
Application Deadline
Feb 1, 2024
Winners Announced
Mar 1, 2024
Education Level
High School
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior (2024)
Background:
Has a learning disability and/or had an IEP (Individualized Education Program) in high school

Students with learning disabilities or having IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) can at times be underestimated but have the power to thrive in school with the right resources and support.

Through hard work and perseverance, it’s possible for these students with learning disabilities to not only make it through school but to excel and go on to successful college or trade school careers.

Justin saw this firsthand with his older brother who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 3, navigated school with an IEP and just recently completed his 1st year of community college.

Justin thought scholarship opportunities were limited for kids with learning disabilities and he was determined to do something to change that and help. This scholarship seeks to lower the financial barrier to higher education by supporting students with learning disabilities as they make the transition to college or a trade school.

Any high school senior graduating in 2024 who has a learning disability and/or had an IEP in high school may apply for this scholarship if they will be attending a two or four-year college or trade school in the Fall of 2024.

To apply, tell us about the challenges you have faced with your IEP or learning disability, how you have overcome them, and what inspires you to continue pursuing education.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Impact
Published July 6, 2023
Essay Topic

What challenges have you faced with your IEP/learning disability? How have you overcome those challenges and what motivates you to continue your education?

400–600 words

Winning Application

Joshua Whitney
Ardrey Kell HighFort Mill, SC
Picture this: navigating through the world with autism, is like trying to beat a video game on the hardest setting while your controller's missing a button and your screen keeps glitching. Welcome to my epic quest, where speech struggles, language delays are the dragons I slay and relationships the prize I seek. Grab your imaginary virtual reality glasses and buckle up for the ride of navigating school with autism. In the first level, let's call it the Speech Lagoon, words fled from my mind and mouth like elusive fireflies in the night. It was a labyrinth where words seemed to hide behind corners, playing a game of hide-and-seek. Life with me seemed like an endless game of charades, where I pointed and grunted until a secret cheat code emerged and I finally was able to speak. From grunts to words to echoing "Cars" movie lines and finally an original sentence. My linguistic journey felt like leveling up. Although I still struggle at times to find the right words to say, scouring my mind, many years of speech therapy and playful word engineering ravaged books, opening up a world of speech and play. The next level would provide new abilities and comprehension. In this world I have learned that each of one of us has to enjoy the journey at their own pace. Similar to the Minecraft universe where you build your world when you can, but time will still pass. I've experimented with various strategies to increase my language processing time to complete tests faster, improve my speech, and enhance my skills. Most importantly, I've realized, it's okay to be me. Learning to accept myself has helped me overcome societal challenges, one level at a time. Striving for improvement is essential, but the patience I've gained has been the key to showcasing all I can be. Now, one of my latests triumphs, the social puzzle challenge. Where connections are as rare as winning the lottery. Picture me, a detective, solving the friendship mystery one awkward encounter at a time. Meanwhile, patience and perseverance continue to be my power boosts through life. My motivation to continue my education is not just personal, it's about helping others facing similar obstacles. I want to create technology like the apps that helped me learn how to write when I refused to touch a pencil. I want to start a non-profit and create technological solutions for those with autism and members of underrepresented minorities. If life gives you lemons, why not make lemonade?

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Feb 1, 2024. Winners will be announced on Mar 1, 2024.

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