Each year, the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois (NFBI) awards scholarships to qualified blind students. All scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and service to the community. To be eligible for an NFBI scholarship, an applicant must be a legally blind resident of or student in Illinois, who is enrolled full-time in an accredited two-year, four-year or graduate college or university program. Electronic application forms can be obtained at our website or by contacting the scholarship chairman. Send your application and supporting documents via e-mail in an accessible format (including MS Word, RTF, or accessible PDF) to the mailing address on our website. The national scholarship application is due on March 31 at midnight eastern time and the Illinois state scholarship is due on May 31 at midnight central time.
Persons who have previously applied for NFBI scholarships are encouraged to apply again. The Scholarship Committee reviews all applications and selects the scholarship finalists, who will be notified of their selection by June 15, and will be brought to the NFBI convention in the fall. Finalists must attend the entire NFBI state convention which may be virtual. Please disclose all post-secondary institutions you have attended with highest class standing attained and cumulative grade point average, high school attended and cumulative grade point average, and community service you have performed.
