Since 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates universities and post-secondary schools to provide equal access to higher education for students with disabilities. By accommodating the needs of their disabled students and providing the appropriate educational resources and services, students with disabilities can pursue higher education in a more accessible way.
Several colleges have initiated recruitment strategies and established financial aid programs specifically for students with disabilities. In addition, a variety of private organizations grant scholarships aimed at supporting students with disabilities, assisting them in overcoming challenges such as learning disabilities, environmental hurdles, or health complications to achieve their academic goals in higher education.
A disability scholarship is a type of scholarship focused on providing financial aid to students with disabilities who are pursuing their college education. This type of scholarship is meant to assist students with disabilities to pay for their college tuition and educational expenses so that they're able to complete their degrees.
There are many opportunities that award scholarships to support students with disabilities. The top five disabilities reported to college institutions by undergraduate students are learning disabilities, ADHD, psychiatric disabilities, mental or physical disabilities, health/chronic disabilities, and mobility restrictions.
During the 2019-2020 academic year, approximately 21% of undergraduate students and 11% of postgraduate students indicated that they have a disability.
Applying for disability scholarships involves several steps designed to help students with disabilities secure financial support for their education. Here's a general guide on how to go about it:
Remember, applying for scholarships can be a competitive process, so apply for as many as you qualify for to increase your chances of receiving financial aid.
Creating a profile on Bold.org is the first step to applying for scholarships. On your Bold.org profile, it is easy to find scholarships for students with disabilities. Using the filters, you can sort through the site's available scholarships by the 'Disability' category or click on one of the disability scholarships listed on this page. Once you find available scholarships that you are eligible for, you can start the application process.
Select one scholarship that suits you and read through the description to find useful information like the eligibility requirements, the application deadline, selection criteria, and required materials.
You may even have to submit an essay based on a given topic. Be sure to put time and effort into your scholarship essays. Finding scholarships that best fit your experience can help make your essay more personal. Be diligent in the quality of your submissions and how you present yourself, as it can make all the difference.
The application process is simple and conducted at your own pace. If you wish to complete the application process at a later time, the bookmark tool allows you to save scholarships so you can return later.
To apply, simply click the 'Apply Now' button once you've completed the application materials, and you'll be entered into the scholarship.
Many federal aid scholarships exist to provide disabled students with financial assistance. Whether you are a high school senior or graduate student earning your bachelor's degree or graduate degree, you may benefit from these scholarships for disabled students that can help you fund your post-secondary education so you can reach your academic goals.
Here are some of the best scholarships for disabled students exclusively on Bold.org with upcoming deadlines:
Check out these ADHD scholarships to help you pay for college!
Many military veterans who decide to pursue post-secondary education may have a documented disability that can affect their learning and require accommodation. In 19-2020, 28% of undergraduate student veterans and 20% of graduate student veterans reported having a disability.
For any disabled veterans pursuing higher education who are in need of financial aid, you can also consider applying for military scholarships on Bold.org that may be applicable to you.
A scholarship program may offer an annual scholarship or a one-time award. Be sure to read the scholarship description to fully understand the scholarship you wish to apply for.
The types of available scholarships for disabled students can vary based on the scholarship's eligibility criteria. There are more general scholarships that disabled students can be eligible for and apply for. General scholarships are usually either essay or no-essay scholarships.
No-essay scholarships are typically the easiest to apply for since they require less time and effort on the applicant’s part. However, that means that no-essay scholarships are also easy for everyone else to apply for.
You may have a better chance with essay scholarships where you can write about your personal experience with your specific type of impairment or disability. See the Bold.org Best Tips for Writing a Scholarship Essay for suggestions on how to make your scholarship essays better.
Look for scholarships specifically for your state or scholarships specifically available to those pursuing a certain major. Some scholarships have additional qualifications such as academic excellence, gender identity, race, age, etc. Some scholarships are for specific education levels and can be exclusively for high school students, high school seniors, undergraduates, or graduate students. Always make sure to check the requirements before spending time on your application.
If you're pursuing or plan to pursue an accredited college or vocational school, trade school, or community college, apply for scholarships for students with disabilities to reduce your college costs and make higher education more affordable.
Institutions of higher education typically offer support services to students who disclose their disabilities and seek accommodations. The most commonly offered accommodations included:
The NCCSD stands as the sole national center in the United States that receives federal funding to offer information and resources specifically tailored for prospective and current college students with disabilities. This includes individuals enrolled in part-time and graduate-level programs.
DREAM (Disability Rights, Education Activism, and Mentoring) is a nationwide organization led by and serving college students with disabilities. It operates under the umbrella of the National Center for College Students with Disabilities, which receives federal funding and is situated within the Institute for Community Integration at the University of Minnesota.
The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the well-being of those with learning and attention difficulties. The organization aims to support people with learning disabilities in achieving success in education, employment, and broader life experiences.
Students can find disability scholarships by searching the Bold.org scholarships page and browsing the "Disability" category. Depending on your type of disability or background, students may even be able to apply for "Mental Health" scholarships if their disability is mentally related. Or, disabled veterans can consider applying for "Military" scholarships. Other relevant or more general scholarship awards can be found on Bold.org.
Eligibility is simple to check on Bold.org. Each scholarship will have a clear list of all eligibility requirements in the description. If your profile matches those requirements, then you'll be eligible to apply. If your profile information does not match the list of requirements, Bold.org may block you from applying for that scholarship. That's why it's important to fully complete your profile information.
On Bold.org, there is no limit to how many scholarships you can apply for or earn. You can even apply and earn several scholarships in more than one category.