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No Limits Athletic Scholarship

Funded by
user profile avatar
Kai Wayman
$500
1 winner$500
Open
Apply Now
Application Deadline
Dec 24, 2026
Winners Announced
Jan 25, 2027
Education Level
High School
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Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior
Background:
Has a disability and/or special needs
Involvement:
Participates in sports
Location:
East Coast (ME, NH, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, VT, PA, WV, DC)
Education Level:
Background:
Involvement:
Location:
High school senior
Has a disability and/or special needs
Participates in sports
East Coast (ME, NH, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, DE, MD, VA, NC, SC, GA, FL, VT, PA, WV, DC)

At the core of every athlete lies determination, courage, and the unwavering belief that limits are meant to be surpassed. Many student-athletes with physical or mental disabilities exemplify this spirit, showing remarkable dedication both on and off the field despite the obstacles they encounter. Whether they are competing, training, or championing greater accessibility in sports, these students stand as powerful examples of resilience and excellence.

Athletic achievement and academic success are deeply connected, and every student, regardless of ability, deserves the chance to pursue their goals in both. By reducing the financial barriers to higher education, we can foster opportunity, honor talent, and empower the next generation of athletes and leaders.

This scholarship is dedicated to supporting student-athletes with disabilities who exemplify resilience, leadership, and passion in their athletic pursuits while striving toward academic success.

This scholarship welcomes applications from high school seniors with disabilities or special needs who are actively involved in sports, live in an East Coast state, and plan to continue their education through college, trade school, life skills programs, or another post-secondary path. The ideal recipient is not defined by limitations, but by their drive, character, and perseverance. We are looking for students who demonstrate resilience, show leadership, embrace a positive outlook, and remain dedicated to both their education and athletics.

To apply, tell us why you want to receive this scholarship, how you would use the money to further your goals, how sports have affected your life, what challenges you have overcome, and what dreams you’re chasing.

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Drive, Impact
Scholarships for High School SeniorsAthletic ScholarshipsHigh School Scholarships
Scholarships for College Students
Essay ScholarshipsStudents with Disabilities ScholarshipsAthletic Training Scholarships
Published March 28, 2026
$500
1 winner$500
Open
Apply Now
Application Deadline
Dec 24, 2026
Winners Announced
Jan 25, 2027
Education Level
High School
Share
Essay Topic

*Before applying, please note this scholarship is exclusively for students with disabilities and/or special needs.*


Why would you like to receive this scholarship?


How do you plan to use the scholarship to pursue your academic and athletic goals?


Tell us how sports have impacted your life, what challenges you’ve overcome related to your disability/special needs, and what dreams you're chasing—on the field, in the classroom, and beyond. This is your chance to show us who you are, what drives you, and how this scholarship can help you continue proving that there are truly no limits to your potential.

400–600 words
Apply Now

Winners and Finalists

January 2026

Winners
Emma Borrego
Florida Southwestern Collegiate High School
Punta Gorda, FL
Gracen Barsanti
Christ Covenant School
Greenville, NC
Finalists
Lucas Campbell
Manheim Central High School
Manheim, PA
Gabrielle Culberson
Darlington School
Cartersville, GA
Mark Aghadiuno
Watkins Mill High
Gaithersburg, MD
Eli Richey
Rockdale County High School
Conyers, GA
Benjamin Byrne
Nashua High School South
Nashua, NH
Nicolas Dieter
Braden River High School
Bradenton, FL
Joseph Medina
Arlington High School
Lagrangeville, NY
Brayden Holt
Cushing Academy
Danvers, MA
Chloe Renaldo
Dulaney High School
Lutherville Timonium, MD

Winning Application

Emma Borrego
Florida Southwestern Collegiate High SchoolPunta Gorda, FL
I want to use this scholarship to help pay for college and dental school so I can become an orthodontist. Getting this scholarship would allow me to dedicate myself to school and grow the skills I need to help people in the future. I came into the world really early—just 32 weeks, weighing barely over three pounds, and without a heartbeat. From the start, life wasn’t easy. I owe my life to the doctor who refused to give up on me. Things that were easy for other kids—like eating, crawling, and walking—took me longer to learn. But my mom was always there. She took me to every therapy session and practiced with me every day. She never gave up on me, and I made sure I never gave up on myself. I was also born deaf and hard of hearing. My mom taught me how to lipread, made sure I had hearing aids, and helped me get the support I needed to communicate and learn. My grandma helped too, making feeding-tube meals with healthy foods so I could get strong enough to grow. All of that taught me how important it is to keep going, care about others, and push through even when things are hard. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has been a huge part of my life. It’s taught me discipline, strategy, and how to stay calm under pressure. Competing without my hearing aids makes me rely on focus and awareness. At my first NAGA competition, I had to enter heavier weight classes, and I ended up winning first place in both Gi and No-Gi divisions. Winning felt awesome, but proving to myself that I could push through challenges felt even better. Through BJJ, I’ve been able to guide younger students, teaching them skills and motivating them to persevere through challenges. That showed me what leadership and teamwork really mean. The lessons I’ve learned on the mat—patience, focus, and determination—also help me in school and will continue to guide me as I become an orthodontist. This scholarship would let me keep chasing my goals, push my limits, and hopefully inspire others to do the same. BJJ has made me stronger, more confident, and more determined. It’s taught me lessons I’ll carry with me forever—discipline, focus, and empathy. It’s also shown me the importance of community, and I want to bring that same encouragement everywhere I go. Getting this scholarship would help me keep growing as both an athlete and a student while proving that determination, hard work, and resilience can overcome any obstacle.
Gracen Barsanti
Christ Covenant SchoolGreenville, NC

Explore All Kinds of Scholarships for All Kinds of Students

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FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Dec 24, 2026. Winners will be announced on Jan 25, 2027.

How will scholarship application information be used?

Your privacy is a top priority on the Bold.org platform, and you can find our privacy policy in full here. You may opt out of communications from Bold.org at any time, and unless we’ve first notified you and gotten your consent, you’ll never receive communication from any third parties related to personal information you give us.

What is the scholarship award?

Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.

When will the scholarship winner be chosen? How will they be notified?

The winner will be publicly announced on Jan 25, 2027. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.

How will the scholarship award be paid?

Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.

How will my scholarship application be verified?

Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.

How should I get in touch with questions?

If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.

Does the scholarship have terms and conditions?

Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.

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