Top Scholarships for Disabled Students in 2021
By 
Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.If you are a student with “disAbilities,” as we like to say, you landed in the right place! As the list below demonstrates, there are many scholarships for disabled students, both physical and mental in nature. Our list also includes scholarships for certain inflammatory diseases and cancer. Some of these scholarships for disabled students require documentation, so give yourself ample time to complete the applications!
- Top Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
- Resources for Students with Disabilities
- Summary of Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
Top scholarships for disabled students in 2021
$500 Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students at every level of education who have had challenges with mental health or who have had loved ones who have struggled with mental health
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: December 1, 2021
American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Full-time undergraduates who completed one full year of college and have a disability as defined by the American with Disabilities Act
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: March 1, 2022
Lighthouse Guild College Bound Scholarship
- Eligibility: Visually impaired/blind high school students who will be incoming freshmen and graduate education (Master’s degree, PhD, MD, JD, or other post-baccalaureate degree) students, already attending or planning to attend graduate school
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: March 31, 2022
Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students at every level of education who write a short essay about mental health
- Amount: $1,082 (increases as people donate!)
- Deadline: June 14, 2022
L.I.F.E. Scholarships
- Eligibility: Students diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, attending/planning to attend college in Fall 2021, and have a 3.) or higher GPA
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: July 1, 2022
Academy of Special Dreams Scholarship
- Eligibility: Special needs applicants who applied to and/or have been accepted or are currently enrolled in a college or university, trade school, art school, or other recognized degree-awarding program. Student must express a desire to study or major in art
- Amount: $250 to $1,000
- Deadline: Rolling
See also: Top Mental Health Scholarships
Resources for students with disabilities
American Psychological Association: Reasonable Accommodations Explained
This article is an excellent place to start if wondering exactly what accommodations you are legally entitled to in college. Knowledge is power, so empower yourself by learning your rights!
National Center for College Students with Disabilities Clearinghouse
This database offers an amazing number of quality resources about disabilities and higher education all in one place.
National Resources for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education
This is a great website to find a variety of resources for college-bound or current college students with disabilities.
Summary of scholarships for students with disabilities
- $500 Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship
- American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) Scholarship Program
- Lighthouse Guild College Bound Scholarship
- Ethel Hayes Destigmatization of Mental Health Scholarship
- L.I.F.E. Scholarships
- Academy of Special Dreams Scholarship
See also: Top ADHD Scholarships
Upcoming scholarships for students with disabilities
$1,000 RJ Mitte Breaking Barriers Scholarship
- Eligibility: Awarded to a high school or undergraduate student with a mental or physical disability in need of support financing their education
- Amount: $1,000
American Council of the Blind’s (ACB) Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Applicants must be legally blind, maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for most scholarships, be a full-time student (or a student who works 32 or more hours per week and attends college part time), and be involved in their school/local community
- Amount: $2,000 to $7,500, depending on whether applicant is attending a technical college or as an entering freshman, undergraduate, or a graduate student
- Opens: November 2021
AbbVie Immunology Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students with one of the listed inflammatory diseased enrolling in full-time undergraduate or graduate study at an accredited United States (US) two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the 2021-2022 academic year
- Amount: $15,000
- Opens: October 2021
Baer Reintegration Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students eighteen years or older diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder who plan/are enrolled in high school equivalency programs, trade or vocational schools, certificate programs, or associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degree college/university programs
- Amount: Varies based on each winner’s financial needs and educational goals
- Opens: Week of October 5, 2021
John Lepping Memorial Scholarship: Disabled Students
- Eligibility: Permanent residents of New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania who have physical conditions (spinal cord injury, loss of limb, birth defects, etc.) and/or psychological conditions (autism, post- traumatic stress etc.). Scholarship recipients must be able to provide proof of disability with letter of confirmation by a physician
- Amount: $5,000
Lep Foundation CURE – Cancer Support Scholarship
- Eligibility: College-bound students diagnosed with cancer and whose disease and related treatments placed a significant financial burden on them and their families. Academic achievement is considered
- Amount: $5,000
Lime Connect Pathways Scholarship for High School Seniors
- Eligibility: High school seniors with all all types of disabilities. While financial need is considered, the awards are merit-based
- Amount: $1,000 (multiple scholarships awarded)
Microsoft Disability Scholarship
- Eligibility: College-bound current high school seniors living with disabilities (as defined by WHO). This includes visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive, speech, or other disabilities. Applicants must have 3.0 or above GPAs, passion for technology, and require financial assistance to attend college
- Amount: $20,000 ($5,000 per year for four years)
Rent-a-Knee Walker Scholarship
- Eligibility: Current high school seniors or college students with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Students with physical disabilities are prioritized
- Amount: $500
Scheigert Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students with low vision enrolled as full-time students. Must have a minimum cumulative 3.2 Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Amount: $3,000 (three scholarships awarded)
- Opens: January 1, 2022
Wells Fargo Scholarship Program for People with Disabilities
- Eligibility: High school seniors or graduates with 3.0 GPAs or above planning to enroll (or already enrolled) full or half-time at an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the US
- Amount: $2,500 for full-time students, and $1,250 for half-time students (renewable scholarships!)
