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Top 60 Scholarships for Disabled Students in November 2022
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!
54 Scholarships for Disabled Students in November 2022
The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:
- The scholarship requires a fee to apply
- The scholarship provider’s privacy policy allows for the misuse of student data
- The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
- Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
- The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
- The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisements
- The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
- There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
- The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
- There is no available contact information
If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!
* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system.
** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements.
***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.
$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship
Scholarships360 Exclusive
Easy scholarship open to all US-based high school, college, community college and graduate students.
$2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay
Sponsored
Easy scholarship open to all high school, college, community and graduate students.
Niche $50,000 “No Essay” College Scholarship
Sponsored
Open to high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year.
Pride Foundation Scholarship
Offered by Pride Foundation
Open to people of color, LGBTQ+, disabled, or otherwise underrepresented students who are pursuing post-secondary education.
Children’s Cancer Connection Empowering Scholarships
Offered by Children's Cancer Connection
College-bound individuals (or their siblings) who have had cancer before age 18. Must be residing/been treated/been diagnosed in Iowa.
The Simon Cancer Foundation Scholarship
Offered by The Simon Cancer Foundation
Open to students who have had cancer and will be enrolled in a four-year university or college in the U.S. for this upcoming school year.
Baer Reintegration Scholarship
Offered by The Center for Reintegration
Open to postsecondary students in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder.
American Council of the Blind’s (ACB) Scholarship Program
Offered by American Council of the Blind
Open to full-time undergraduate and graduate students who are legally blind and maintain a strong GPA.
ALA Century Scholarship
Offered by American Library Association
Individuals with disabiltiies who have been accepted to ALA-accredited library schools to pursue graduate degrees in Library Science.
AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability
Offered by American Association on Health and Disability
Open to college and graduate students who have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship
Sponsored
Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school students.
Mesothelioma.com Scholarship
Offered by Mesothelioma.com
Students whose lives have been impacted by cancer or have a parent, sibling, or relative who are currently fighting with cancer.
Varghese Summersett Autism Scholarship
Offered by Varghese Summersett
Students with autism who are 15 years old or younger.
Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship
Offered by National Center for Learning Disabilities
Open to high school seniors who are planning to enroll in college or in a specialized program for students with LD and/or ADHD.
Anne Ford Scholarship
Offered by National Center for Learning Disabilities
High school seniors with a learning disability or ADHD who will be enrolled in a full-time bachelor’s degree program in the fall.
Making A Difference For Autism Scholarship
Offered by KFM Making A Difference
Students with autism who will be attending a postsecondary institution for the school year immediately following the scholarship deadline.
John Lepping Memorial Scholarship: Education Assistance for Disabled Youth
Offered by The Lep Foundation for Youth Education
Open to college students who have a physical or psychological disability.
Thomas J. Seefred Trust Scholarship
Offered by Thomas J. Seefred Trust
Open to Ohio residents ages 18-25 who have diabetes and are pursuing a bachelor's degree.
$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship
Sponsored
Easy scholarship open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.
Niche $2,000 “No Essay” College Scholarship
Sponsored
Easy scholarship from Niche open to all high school, college, and graduate students.
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How to win scholarships for students with disabilities
Now that you’ve got a list of great opportunities to apply for, it’s time to start working on your applications. We can help you begin your scholarship essay, write your scholarship resume, and tailor your writing to 250 word or 500 word limits. Here are a few more guides that can help you succeed in your scholarship applications:
- Ultimate guide to finding and winning scholarships
- How to win local scholarships
- “Show, Don’t Tell” essay primer
- How to respond to a “Why do you deserve this scholarship?” prompt
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for scholarships for disabled students if I have a learning disability?
Typically, yes! Every scholarship sets its own rules as to what counts as a disability. Oftentimes, learning disabilities will count under the general umbrella of disabilities. However, there may be times when a scholarship is only meant for students with physical disabilities.
Always be sure to read the scholarship rules thoroughly before applying, and don’t forget to check out our list of scholarships specifically for students with learning disabilities.
What do I need to prove I have a disability?
Each scholarship will have its own rules as for what proof you need to submit of your disability. Oftentimes, this will come in the form of a doctor’s note. Be sure to check in with your scholarship provider to see what they need from you to prove that you are eligible.
Are there scholarships for disabled students?
Yes, there are many scholarships out there specifically for disabled students! Whether your disability is physical, mental, or a learning disability, there are opportunities waiting for you. Check out our list above to find vetted scholarship opportunities for disabled students.
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.
