By Lisa Freedland

Lisa Freedland is a Scholarships360 writer with personal experience in psychological research and content writing. She has written content for an online fact-checking organization and has conducted research at the University of Southern California as well as the University of California, Irvine. Lisa will be graduating from the University of Southern California in Fall 2021 with a degree in Psychology.

Updated: September 13th, 2021

Students with a disabled parent go through a unique set of hardships that can make affording college difficult. Luckily, there are a large number of scholarships available specifically to help those with disabled parents fulfill their college dreams. Remember, although other types of college aid are available, scholarships never need repayment! 

Jump ahead to:

• Top scholarships for students with a disabled parent(s)
• Pell Grants for students with a disabled parent(s)
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Summary of scholarships
• Upcoming scholarships

Keep on reading to find out about the top scholarships available to you, including information about each scholarship’s eligibility criteria, award amount, and deadline.

Scholarships for students with a disabled parent(s)

ENF Emergency Educational Grant

• Eligibility: Children of deceased or disabled members of the Elks National Foundation. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, attend a university in the U.S. as a full-time undergraduate student, and be under 24 years of age
• Amount: Up to $5,000
• Deadline: November 1, 2021

Pinnacol Foundation Scholarship

• Eligibility: Natural, adopted, stepchild, or fully dependent children workers injured or killed in compensable work-related accidents while working for Colorado-based employers and entitled to benefits under the Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act
• Amount: 
• Deadline: February 15, 2022 (Opens November 1, but look over now!)

Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship

• Eligibility: Children and spouses of roadway workers killed or left permanently disabled in roadway work zones
• Amount: Up to $10,000
• Deadline: February 15, 2022

SFM Foundation Scholarship

• Eligibility: Children of a worker left disabled or fatally injured from a work-related accident. The employer during the accident must have been based in Minnesota or Iowa. Applicants must be between 16 and 25 years of age and planning on pursuing postsecondary education
• Amount: Between $1,000 and $10,000 per year
• Deadline: March 31, 2022

Missouri Public Service Survivor Grant

• Eligibility: Children/spouses of public safety officers who have been killed or left permanently disabled in the line of duty. Applicants must be enrolled in or accepted to enroll at a Missouri postsecondary school and be less than 24 years old
• Amount: Tuition for 12 credit hours at the school where you are enrolled full-time
• Deadline: None!

Pell Grants for Students With a Disabled Parent

In addition to ordinary scholarships, students with a disabled parent may be able to receive Pell Grants, scholarships given to help undergraduate students progress their academic careers within their field of interest. Generally, students must demonstrate exceptional financial need in order to qualify. However, on the bright side, Pell Grants require no repayment (except in certain circumstances)! Learn about specific criteria by reading more about Pell Grants. 

The following scholarships provide Pell Grants to students with a disabled parent, so keep on reading!

The National MS Society Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students whose parents are suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS). Applicants must be in high school and planning to pursue postsecondary education 
• Amount: $3,000 (can be higher in extreme circumstances)
• Deadline: TBA

Frequently asked questions about scholarships for students with a disabled parent

Can you get FAFSA on disability?

Students with intellectual disabilities are eligible to receive funding from the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, or Federal Work-Study Programs. In order to receive such aid, students must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment to a comprehensive tradition and postsecondary (CTP) program. Make sure to learn about the other eligibility requirements and find out what universities offer CTP programs.

Does going to school affect Social Security disability benefits?

Luckily, no! To qualify for social security benefits, individuals must have a medical condition that prevents them from working full-time. However, when it comes to schooling, those who qualify for social security disability benefits are encouraged to attend university or other forms of education. So, if you receive social security disability benefits, you can feel free to apply to and attend university without worrying about losing your benefits. However, if you receive a degree or diploma and eventually find a job, your benefits may end because you will no longer considered disabled.

Summary of scholarships

1. ENF Emergency Educational Grant
2. Pinnacol Foundation Scholarship
3. Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship
4. SFM Foundation Scholarship
5. The National MS Society Scholarship

Upcoming scholarships

Victoria Ovis Memorial Scholarship

• Eligibility: Children of law enforcement officers who were killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. Applicants must be from or reside in and attend school in New York state
• Amount: Varies
• Opens: Early 2022

Vincent Bennett, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

• Eligibility: Incoming college freshmen who are the children of law enforcement officers or firefighters who were killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. Applicants must maintain academic eligibility requirements over the four years of the award
• Amount: 20,000 over a four year period ($5,000 per year)
• Opens: Early 2022

Millie Brother Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school and college students who have a deaf parent(s)
• Amount: $3,000 (two scholarships are awarded!)
• Opens: March 1, 2022

Paralyzed Veterans of America Scholarship

• Eligibility: Children of disabled US veterans
• Amount: $1,000 to $2,500
• Opens: March 2022

The Prejax Foundation Scholarship

• Eligibility: High school seniors/graduates or undergraduates who have multiple sclerosis or have a parent with MS. Applicants should be attending or planning on attending a university (full-time) to work towards an undergraduate degree
• Amount: Varies
• Opens: January 1, 2022

Google Lime Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students with parents who have a disability or students with a disability themselves. Applicants should be undergraduate or graduate students  pursuing a degree in computer science or a related field
• Amount: $10,000