Top 12 Special Education Scholarships in December 2023

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year. Niche is giving one student $50,000 to help pay for tuition, housing, books and other college expenses — no essay required!

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

Virginia PTA annually awards $500 scholarships to graduating Virginia high school students who are members of an active PTA/PTSA in good standing. There are four types of scholarships offered: the College/University Scholarship for students enrolled in a four-year academic degree program, the Technical Scholarship for students enrolled in a two or three-year approved technical, vocational, and associate degree program, the Fine Arts Scholarship for students enrolled in school of arts, college of design or institute of the arts degree program, and the Special Education Scholarship for students with a current Individual Education Plan-IEP who are entering an approved technical, vocational, associate degree or a four-year academic program. The scholarships are awarded based on a demonstrated commitment to, and engagement in, volunteerism and community service. If you're a college-bound high school senior and PTA/PTSA member from Virginia, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.

The Whelan Foundation Scholarship Program is open to graduating high school seniors from Long Island who are enrolling as a full-time student at an accredited college/university in the United States, or continuing education to pursue a degree in the field of special education, occupational therapy, speech pathology, or other behavioral-focused majors. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need, have a minimum 3.5 GPA, and have completed at least 80 hours of volunteer work in the area of special education during high school. If you're a college-bound high school senior from Long Island with a passion for education or behavioral science, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.

If you are a college or university undergraduate or graduate student planning on becoming a teacher, you might consider applying for a Federal TEACH Grant. This renewable grant is open to aspiring teachers who demonstrate financial need. The scholarship is funded by the US Department of Education, which strives to recruit highly skilled teachers to teach low-income students in high-need fields. If you’re passionate about teaching and are looking for some help funding your education, we encourage you to apply!

The Alexis Kate Special Education Teacher’s Scholarship awards a one-time payment of $750 to a worthy college student, in their sophomore year or beyond, who has declared a special education major and has also demonstrated extracurricular commitment to the field. Graduate students in the field of special education are also eligible to apply. Applicants must be a resident of New Jersey and enrolled in a New Jersey college or university. If this scholarship sounds like a fit for you, keep on reading for more application details.

Are you a current or aspiring teacher planning to teach in Kansas for at least a year? If so, you might be interested in applying for the Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship! The scholarship is open to students pursuing bachelor's degrees in teaching, as well as current teachers and graduate students pursuing an endorsement in hard-to-fill disciplines or planning to teach in underserved areas. Applicants must also be willing to teach in Kansas for at least one year. The Kansas Board of Regents, a governing board, offers the scholarship program. They are responsible for the state's educational institutions and are dedicated to supporting the well-being of Kansas' public higher education institutions, the students who attend them, and Kansas citizens. Every year, they are proud to offer up to $5,830 to eligible recipients for their educational costs. If you are passionate about teaching and doing so in Kansas, we encourage you to apply!

The Sherman & Frances L. Teller Teaching Credential Scholarship is open to K-12 educators pursuing a multiple or single-subject teaching credential (including in special education and ESL) at a University of California or California State University campus in the Greater Los Angeles area or the University of Nevada Las Vegas. The NCJW|LA Scholarship application cycle runs twice a year in the Spring and Fall. If you’re enrolled in a teaching credential program at a University of California or California State University campus in the Greater Los Angeles area or the University of Nevada Las Vegas, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.

Do you have a documented learning disability (LD) and/or ADHD and plan on enrolling in a postsecondary program? If so, consider applying for the Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship! The Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship is open to graduating senior high school students who will enroll in a two-year community college, a technical/vocational program, or a specialized program for students with (LD) and/or ADHD. The scholarship is offered by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, a non-profit organization that provides leadership, public awareness, and grants to support research and innovative practices to assist those with learning disabilities. Each year, the scholarship awards $5,000 over two years ($2,500 each year) to help one (1) lucky student pay for their college costs. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, we encourage you to apply!

Do you have a documented learning disability (LD) and/or ADHD and plan on obtaining a bachelor’s degree? If so, consider applying for the Anne Ford Scholarship! The Anne Ford Scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors with a documented learning disability or ADHD who will enroll full-time in a bachelor’s degree program for the upcoming fall. The scholarship is offered by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, a non-profit organization that provides leadership, public awareness, and grants to support research and innovative practices to assist those with learning disabilities. Each year, their Anne Ford Scholarship awards $2,500 to help one lucky student pay for their college costs. This scholarship can be renewed up to three times, totaling $10,000 over the course of a four-year bachelor's program. If you have a learning disability or ADHD and want help funding your bachelor's degree, we encourage you to apply!