People with learning disabilities face unique challenges in the college application process. Standardized testing is a substantial factor in college admissions, and numerous studies have shown that these tests are skewed to a disadvantage for students with learning disabilities.

Luckily, as educators have begun to realize these disadvantages, they have made attempts to make the process more fair for students with learning disabilities. There are many learning disabilities scholarships to make college attendance more feasible once students are admitted.

Jump ahead to:

• Top Learning Disabilities Scholarships
• Frequently asked Questions
• Summary of Learning Disabilities Scholarships
• Expired Scholarships

Check out our list of the best learning disability scholarships below and find some opportunities to reduce your tuition costs!

Top Learning Disabilities Scholarships in January 2021

$1,000 RJ Mitte Breaking Barriers Scholarship

• Eligibility: This scholarship will be awarded to a high school or undergraduate student with a mental or physical disability in need of support financing their education
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: April 30, 2021

$500 WiseGeek Disability Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to students at any grade level or field of study who have a disability and large ambitions for their lives
• Amount: $500
• Deadline: August 2, 2021

P. Buckley Moss Endowed Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors with a verified learning difference and financial need who are enrolling in a two or four-year program in the United States and are pursuing a career in a visual arts field, taking art classes each semester
• Amount: Up to $1,000
• Deadline: March 31, 2021

Pine Cone Foundation Scholarship

• Eligibility: California high school seniors with a minimum 2.5 GPA enrolling at a community college in California with a minimum course load of 8 credits. Must have current documentation of a specific learning disability (SLD); those with ADHD alone are not eligible
• Amount: Up to $3,500
• Deadline: April 1, 2021

Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors with documented learning disabilities who are enrolling in a two-year community college, a vocational or technical training program, or a specialized program for students with LD and/or ADHD
• Amount: $5,000
• Deadline: April 5, 2021

Anne Ford Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors with documented learning disabilities who are enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program
• Amount: $10,000
• Deadline: April 5, 2021

INCIGHT Scholarship

• Eligibility: Washington, Oregon, and California residents with a disability who are enrolled in any form of higher education in the term cycle following their application
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: April 15, 2021

Lime Connect Pathways Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors in the US or Canada who have, or consider themselves to have a visible or invisible disability, who are enrolling in a 4-year college or university
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: May 31, 2021

Disability Care Center Disabled Student Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students with any medically diagnosed impairment (physical or mental) that interferes with everyday activities and quality of life who are attending any form of higher education
• Amount: $500
• Deadline: August 1, 2021

NBC Universal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students enrolled in a US undergraduate or graduate program who have a disability and have interest in a career in the communications, media, or entertainment industry
• Amount: $5,625 
• Deadline: Opens Spring 2021

FAQ 

Can I get a scholarship for having ADHD?

Several scholarships on this list are designated for students with ADHD, including the Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship. 

What are the best schools for learning disabilities?

Beacon College and Landmark College are two colleges that have built their curriculums around supporting students with learning disabilities. Best Value Schools also ranks Mitchell College as having some of the best accommodations for students with learning disabilities.

Can a disabled person go to college for free?

There are many opportunities available for disabled people to lessen the burden of their college expenses. Because disabled people face unique challenges in their college education, many organizations have set aside funds to help mitigate those challenges. This list contains many opportunities for people with learning disabilities to reduce the cost of their education.

You can learn more about scholarships for disabled students with this top scholarship list.

Summary of Learning Disabilities Scholarships

1. $1,000 RJ Mitte Breaking Barriers Scholarship
2. $500 WiseGeek Disability Scholarship
3. P. Buckley Moss Endowed Scholarship
4. Pine Cone Foundation Scholarship
5. Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship
6. Anne Ford Scholarship
7. INCIGHT Scholarship
8. Lime Connect Pathways Scholarship
9. Disability Care Center Disabled Student Scholarship
10. NBC Universal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship

Expired Scholarships

BMO Capital Markets Lime Connect Equity Through Education Scholarship

• Eligibility: Current undergraduates with a visible or non-visible disability at a four-year university pursuing a degree in business/commerce, computer science, engineering, math, physics, statistics, or a related discipline. Interested in a career in Financial Services with a focus on Capital Markets preferred
• Amount: $10,000
• Deadline: February 21, 2021

Microsoft Disability Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA, demonstrated financial need, leadership skills, and interest in technology. Applicants must be living with a disability (as defined by the WHO) and enrolling in an undergraduate program at a 2 or 4-year institution in the US. Must enroll full-time or half-time, and declare a major in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, law, business, or a related field. See page for additional details
• Amount: Up to $20,000
• Deadline: March 1, 2021

ALA Century Scholarship

• Eligibility: Library school students with disabilities enrolled at an ALA-accredited library school to pursue a Master’s or Doctorate in Library Science and looking to become a library or information studies professional
• Amount: $2,500
• Deadline: March 1, 2021

Karina Eide Memorial College Scholarship

• Eligibility: Current students at a US college or vocational or technical school with demonstrated financial need and dyslexia documentation
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: March 15, 2021

Joseph James Morelli Foundation Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students enrolled or planning to enroll at an undergraduate school, community college, or technical/trade school in the United States who are pursuing a degree in STEM and a demonstrated learning challenge (disability) of dyslexia or similar reading and/or language-based disability
• Amount: $500 to $2,500
• Deadline: March 17, 2021

Tommy Tranchin Award

• Eligibility: North Texas students in grades 8 – 12 with a physical, emotional, or intellectual disability. Funds must be used to participate in an activity that will help strengthen your skills in your particular area of interest.
• Amount: Up to $1,500
• Deadline: Not yet announced for 2021