Niche College Scholarship

Disability Scholarships

Passed in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act has required schools to accommodate the needs of their disabled students, breaking down many barriers that prevented students from accessing educational resources, and enabling more people to enjoy the full benefits of a college education. Recruitment efforts and financial aid opportunities aimed at disabled students now exist at a number of schools. Additionally, many private organizations award scholarship money to ensure that students with disabilities are able to achieve their college goals, despite potential setbacks such as learning issues, environmental challenges, or medical conflicts.

Who Qualifies?

Disability scholarships exist to provide college funding for students who possess numerous cognitive, behavioral, and emotional impediments that would make it difficult to attain a college degree. These scholarship opportunities help deserving students stay in school and out of debt, allowing them to more easily achieve their educational and career goals.

Disability scholarships are funded by a variety of scholarship providers with different requirements. They can be intended to help students with a specific disability pay for school, or they can be aimed at a wider range of students who have physical or mental issues. Disability scholarship providers may choose to narrow their awards towards students who have completed a specific program or who will attend a particular college or university. Some scholarship awards are aimed at groups that face multiple barriers to education; such as low-income, minority, or females with disabilities. Certain local scholarships might also be earmarked for disabled students.

Disability Scholarship Opportunities

With many disability scholarships out there, regardless of their requirements, all you have to know is where to begin searching. Below are some examples of disability scholarships from our database of over 2.7 million college scholarships. To find out if you qualify for these and other awards, simply fill out a profile on Scholarships.com, and conduct a free scholarship search. You’ll receive a list of disability scholarships and other relevant scholarship awards. From there, just read the information provided and begin to apply for scholarships. Below are a few examples of scholarships available to those with various physical challenges and/or other disabilities.

Elks National Foundation Emergency Educational Grants

  • Amount
    $5,000
  • Deadline
    November 1, 2023

Emergency Educational Grants provide undergraduate college financial assistance to children of deceased or totally disabled Elks in the form of renewable, one-year grants of up to $5,000. The grant is for educational assistance only and is not intended to cover the entire cost of a college education. Grant amounts are based on the information submitted in the application and can range up to ... Read more

Virginia Military Survivors & Dependents Education Program

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    December 15, 2023

The purpose of VMSDEP is to provide undergraduate or other postsecondary education to eligible participants by providing a waiver of tuition and all required fees associated with tuition at any public institution of higher education or other public accredited postsecondary institution granting a degree, diploma, or certificate in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Benefits are available for up to 36 ... Read more

Margaret Howard Hamilton Scholarship

  • Amount
    $4,000
  • Deadline
    January 31, 2024

The DAR, founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children. As one of the most inclusive genealogical societies in the country, DAR boasts 190,000 members in 3,000 chapters across the United ... Read more

The Guthrie-Koch PKU Scholarship

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    February 1, 2024

Scholarships are open to any college-age young person with PKU who is on diet treatment and is not in graduate school (the scholarship is now open only to undergraduates, a change from previous years due to financial reasons). Residents of any country are eligible to apply, but the application must be in English or translated into readable English. Applicants must be accepted to an accredited ... Read more

United Advisory Scholarship Commission Scholarship - William & Cordula Freese Scholarship

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    February 9, 2024

Education is vital to the growth and future of every community. Because of this, the Saginaw Community Founda­tion administers a variety of scholarship programs for high school, community college, university and vocational stu­dents. Since awarding our first $500 scholarship in 1987, the Saginaw Community Foundation has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships. Learn more about all of our ... Read more

American Council of the Blind Scholarship

  • Amount
    $7,500
  • Deadline
    February 14, 2024

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) and the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) have now partnered together to offer educational scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $7,500 for those attending a technical college or as an entering freshman, undergraduate or a graduate student. This program awards students with scholarships to help with post-secondary education financial needs such as ... Read more

Pinnacol Foundation College Scholarship Program

  • Amount
    $4,700
  • Deadline
    February 15, 2024

We know that when a parent is seriously injured in an accident, life suddenly becomes a lot harder for the whole family. That's why we created our scholarship program — to ensure that despite things beyond your control, you still have an opportunity to pursue your academic goals. Pinnacol Foundation scholarships may be used for four-year, two-year or trade programs at accredited colleges, ... Read more

ATSSA Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship Program

  • Amount
    $10,000
  • Deadline
    February 15, 2024

The ATSS Foundation provides scholarships for loved ones of fallen or permanently disabled roadway workers until we can reduce the number of work zone deaths. It is our hope to eventually give out zero scholarships as a result of zero fatalities. The Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship Program provides financial assistance for post-high school education to dependents (children and spouses) of ... Read more

GLHF Education Scholarship

  • Amount
    $3,000
  • Deadline
    March 1, 2024

Scholarships are offered to individuals and families living with a bleeding disorder. It is our goal that those living with bleeding disorders have access to educational opportunities that will enhance their lives and prepare them to become self-sufficient and productive members of the workforce. The scholarship program goals are as follows: improved patient and family access to insurance; ... Read more

Wings Over America Scholarships

  • Amount
    $5,000
  • Deadline
    March 1, 2024

The Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation annually sponsors scholarships to further the postsecondary education of Navy dependents from the aviation community. Most scholarships are for $5,000, and some are renewable. Scholarships may be used for trade school certification, community college or four-year university/college undergraduate study and cover tuition only at an accredited ... Read more

Jennifer Leigh Soper Cystic Fibrosis Scholarship

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    March 4, 2024

The Jennifer Leigh Soper Scholarship was established by Lee Soper, in memory of his daughter. This scholarship provides a non-renewable scholarship to a college-bound student with cystic fibrosis. Past recipients are eligible to reapply. The award amount varies each year. Other than the aforementioned, specified criteria, this award is open to many applicants and doesn't have many restrictions. ... Read more

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

  • Amount
    $5,000
  • Deadline
    March 8, 2024

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be ... Read more

JCS Scholarship for Jewish Students from Single-Parent Homes

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    March 15, 2024

JCS offers several scholarships for Jewish high school seniors from the Baltimore Metro Area planning to attend an accredited U.S. college or university. There is a scholarship available for a student with a documented diagnosed learning disability and several scholarships available for students from single-parent homes. The scholarships are competitive. Recipients are chosen based on several ... Read more

Team Type 1 Global Ambassador Scholarship Program

  • Amount
    $10,000
  • Deadline
    March 31, 2024

The Team Type 1 Global Ambassador Scholarship Program funds college scholarships of up to $10,000 to help young, talented athletes with type 1 diabetes off-set the cost of diabetes care so they can focus on what matters…their health and their college education. Awards recognize athletes who demonstrate an ability to balance both academic and sporting commitments, promote healthy living with ... Read more

Sertoma Hard of Hearing or Deaf Scholarship

  • Amount
    $1,000
  • Deadline
    March 31, 2024

Sertoma's Scholarship for the Hard of Hearing or d/Deaf, is the leading funder of scholarships for Hard of Hearing or d/Deaf students since the program's inception in 1994. Students with a clinically-significant bilateral hearing loss, graduating from high school, or undergraduate students pursuing four-year college degrees in any discipline are eligible for the scholarship. The deadline for this ... Read more

SFM Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount
    $15,000
  • Deadline
    March 31, 2024

To be eligible for an SFM Foundation Scholarship, you must: be the natural, adopted, step-child or full dependent of a worker injured or killed in a work-related accident during the course and scope of employment with an employer based in Minnesota or Iowa and entitled to receive benefits under the Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Act, Iowa Workers’ Compensation Act or other comparable benefit ... Read more

Ability Center of Greater Toledo Scholarship

  • Amount
    $2,000
  • Deadline
    March 31, 2024

Ensuring that people with disabilities have opportunities to achieve higher education and the accompanying rewards is important to The Ability Center. Therefore, the Center provides college scholarships to area students with disabilities. Applicants must be an individual with a disability, have a permanent address in Lucas, Wood, Fulton, Henry, Ottawa, Defiance, Williams counties in Ohio or have ... Read more

Richland County Foundation Mansfield Noon Lions Club Scholarship Fund

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    April 1, 2024

The Mansfield Noon Lions Club Scholarship Fund provides scholarships and or educational assistance for the visually handicapped pursuing their education either part or full-time, giving priority to those students graduating from the visually impaired program at Mansfield City Schools, and whose visual handicap, which means an impairment which, even with correction, adversely affects a child's ... Read more

Powering Education Scholarship

  • Amount
    $2,000
  • Deadline
    April 1, 2024

The Powering Education Scholarship was established by Alpha One to assist people with disabilities who wish to pursue post-secondary education. The scholarship will provide up to $2000 per candidate who is accepted into post-secondary school education (after high school), including undergraduate college education as well as graduate programs. Applicants must have a documented disability, be ... Read more

Millie Brothers CODA International Scholarship

  • Amount
    $3,000
  • Deadline
    April 4, 2024

The Millie Brother Scholarship is an annual scholarship awarded to hearing children of deaf adult(s) to help them pursue their post-secondary education. The scholarship can be used for undergraduate studies at any accredited institution of higher education in the world. On average, two $3,000 scholarship are offered annually. These are one-time scholarships. You may only win an award once, but ... Read more

ACF Robby Baker Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount
    $1,000
  • Deadline
    April 6, 2024

The Robby Baker Scholarship Fund awards one scholarship annually to a graduating senior at La Cueva High School who has a language learning, reading disability, learning barrier or related disability. Applicants must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and plan to attend a nonprofit or public education institute, or a non profit technical school, part- or full-time. Applicants must include up to two ... Read more

Beth Carew Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount
    $6,000
  • Deadline
    April 14, 2024

Any undergraduate student with hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, or a related inherited bleeding disorder is eligible to apply for the Beth Carew Memorial Scholarship as long as all of the below criteria are also met: be a United States citizen or permanent resident; have performed community service and/or volunteered time and energy to any organization within their community not associated ... Read more

Scott and Kim Verplank Foundation Scholarships

  • Amount
    $10,000
  • Deadline
    April 15, 2024

The Scott and Kim Verplank Foundation provides annually, renewable college scholarships to students beginning their undergraduate studies of up to $10,000 to be used toward tuition, student fees, and books. Scholarships are renewable for up to a maximum of four years for any one recipient based on completing the renewal requirements. Recipients are selected from a pool of applicants meeting the ... Read more

Incight Scholarship

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    April 15, 2024

INCIGHT has awarded scholarships to students with disabilities pursuing higher education. These scholars are enrolled in community college, university, vocational school and graduate programs. Students who demonstrate outstanding service to their community and overcome personal obstacles are awarded scholarships from INCIGHT. Applicants must be residents of Washington state, Oregon or California, ... Read more

Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    April 26, 2024

The mission of the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) is to promote and enhance access to higher education by delivering quality student financial aid information and services to residents of the Commonwealth, and thus ensuring that they have an opportunity to enrich their lives and contribute to the economic development and social progress of the state. OSFA has a ... Read more

Faith Hope and Love Jesus, Inc. College Scholarship

  • Amount
    $500
  • Deadline
    May 1, 2024

Faith Hope and Love Jesus, Inc. is excited to offer an annual college scholarship. This will be the easiest 500 words or more essay to write in the world. It can be on any topic or subject. Please submit a letter from your doctor documenting a history of a blood disorder or cancer diagnosed before the age of 18 along with your essay. ... Read more

AbbVie Cystic Fibrosis Scholarship

  • Amount
    $25,000
  • Deadline
    May 25, 2024

The AbbVie CF Scholarship recognizes exceptional students with Cystic Fibrosis who demonstrate academic excellence, community involvement, creativity, and the ability to serve as a positive role model for the Cystic Fibrosis community. Each year, AbbVie awards 40 scholars with $3,000 each. Two of these students (an undergraduate and a graduate) are then selected to receive a Thriving Student ... Read more

BRAF Cheryl D. Conkling Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount
    $12,000
  • Deadline
    May 31, 2024

The BRAF Cheryl D. Conkling Memorial Scholarship is only open to students who live and/or attend school in Windsor, Colorado; Conroe, Texas; Wilkinson County, Mississippi; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; or West Feliciana Parish in Louisiana. Students must be a high school senior enrolling in an accredited college or university in the fall when the scholarship is awarded. Preference may be given to ... Read more

Soozie Courter Hemophilia Scholarship Program

  • Amount
    $5,000
  • Deadline
    May 31, 2024

For more than 20 years, Pfizer has provided educational support to students living with hemophilia. Named in honor of a pioneer in the field of hemophilia research, the Soozie Courter Hemophilia Scholarship Program is designed to inspire students living with hemophilia to achieve their educational goals.

To be eligible, you must: Have been diagnosed with hemophilia A or hemophilia B; Reside in ... Read more

First Responders Children's Foundation Scholarship

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    May 31, 2024

Our Scholarship Program helps children of first responders achieve their goals through scholarships and a powerful community network. The number of scholarships awarded varies from year to year. Scholarships may be renewed annually for up to four years depending on the availability of funds, the applicant’s financial need, and the recipient’s academic record. Applicant must be the biological, ... Read more

Kids’ Chance of Virginia Scholarship

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    June 1, 2024

Kids’ Chance of Virginia is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships for children of Virginia workers that have been killed or seriously injured in a work-related accident or occupational disease. Eligible applicants must: be 26 or younger at the time of the application; demonstrate financial need; be a US citizen; and be accepted or planning to attend a college, university, or ... Read more

Christopher Mark Pitkin Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount
    $1,000
  • Deadline
    June 5, 2024

To be eligible for the Christopher Mark Pitkin Memorial Scholarship, applicants must: be a person with a bleeding disorder or must have an immediate family member with a bleeding disorder; be accepted into an educational/vocational institution and able to provide proof of enrollment; and be a resident of, or have permanent address in, one of the following Southern California counties: Los ... Read more

Armando J. de Moya Scholarship

  • Amount
    $5,000
  • Deadline
    June 30, 2024

The Armando J. de Moya Scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor's degree in civil Engineering at the University of Florida, Gainesville, who shows financial need, has completed a minimum of 59 credit hours, and needs financial support to complete their studies. Applicants must maintain a 3.0 GPA at the University of Florida (UF), be a Florida resident, be ... Read more

Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    July 15, 2024

To be eligible for the Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship Program, you must enroll at a two-year or four-year Maryland college or university, as a full-time or part-time, degree-seeking undergraduate, graduate, or professional student; or be enrolled in a 2-year terminal certificate program in which the coursework is acceptable for transfer credit for an accredited baccalaureate program in an ... Read more

BioMatrix Scholarships for the Bleeding Disorders Community

  • Amount
    $1,000
  • Deadline
    August 1, 2024

BioMatrix offers six (6) $1,000 scholarships assisting individuals in the bleeding disorders community seeking higher education. Each opportunity is offered exclusively to several demographics within the bleeding disorder community including women, men, inhibitor patients and immediate family members. Our streamlined application process allows interested parties to complete one simple application ... Read more

Matthews and Swift Educational Trust Scholarships

  • Amount
    $100,000
  • Deadline
    Varies

The Francis P. Matthews and John E. Swift Educational Trust Scholarships are available to children of members in good standing who are killed or permanently disabled, by hostile action, while serving in the U.S. armed forces in a combat zone designated as such by the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors; as well as the children of fulltime firefighters and law enforcement officers, who while in ... Read more

Alabama Scholarships for Dependents of Blind Parents

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    Varies

The VRS Blind and Deaf Program provides specialized assistance to Alabamians statewide through its four major programs: Blind and Low-Vision Services, Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services, OASIS (Older Alabamians System of Information and Services), and the Business Enterprise Program. Services are delivered by a team of specialized professionals who are trained in the unique communication issues, ... Read more

Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarships

  • Amount
    $25,000
  • Deadline
    Varies

The EdChoice mission is to advance educational freedom and choice for all as a pathway to successful lives and a stronger society. The Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship program offers individuals and businesses a 50 percent tax credit tax credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs), nonprofits that provide private school scholarships to students who meet the ... Read more

Massachusetts Public Service Grant Program

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    Varies

The Massachusetts Public Service Grant was established for students who have experienced the loss of a parent and/or spouse who is killed or missing in the line of public service duty in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Applicants must be permanent legal residents of Massachusetts for one year prior to the start of the academic year for which the scholarship is granted, be United States ... Read more

Tommy Tranchin Award

  • Amount
    $2,500
  • Deadline
    Varies

The Tommy Tranchin Award was established at The Dallas Foundation to support students with physical, emotional or intellectual disabilities who have shown promise or passion in a chosen field of interest. Tommy’s family wants to recognize his creativity and adventurous spirit by helping other young people with disabilities develop their own talents and explore new opportunities. Please note that ... Read more

Missouri Public Service Survivor Grant Program

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    Varies

The Public Service Officer or Employee's Child Survivor Grant Program provides tuition assistance to dependent children and spouses of public safety officers or Missouri Department of Transportation employees engaged in the construction or maintenance of the state's highways, roads, and bridges who were killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty. If you are a dependent child, ... Read more

GLHF Career Development Scholarship

  • Amount
    $500
  • Deadline
    Varies

Scholarships are offered to individuals and families living with a bleeding disorder. It is our goal that those living with bleeding disorders have access to educational opportunities that will enhance their lives and prepare them to become self-sufficient and productive members of the workforce. The scholarship program goals are as follows: improved patient and family access to insurance; ... Read more

CSU Dale M. Schoettler Scholarship for Visually Impaired Students

  • Amount
    $10,000
  • Deadline
    Varies

The Dale M. Schoettler Scholarship for Visually Impaired Students was established in 1991 by Mr. Schoettler, who was a successful businessman from MountainView, California and blind the last eight years of his life. To be eligible for the CSU Dale M. Schoettler Scholarship for Visually Impaired Students, applicants must: be attending California State University Bakersfield; have a visual ... Read more

California Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program (LEPD)

  • Amount
    $38,816
  • Deadline
    Varies

The Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant Program provides need-based educational grants to dependents and spouses of: California peace officers (highway patrol, marshals, sheriffs, police officers), Department of Corrections and California Youth Authority employees, and permanent/full-time firefighters employed by public entities who have been killed in the performance of duty or 100% ... Read more

VSA International Young Soloists Competition

  • Amount
    $2,000
  • Deadline
    Varies

Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Each year, outstanding young musicians from around the world receive the VSA International Young Musicians Award, $2,000, and the opportunity to participate in professional development and performance opportunities provided by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in ... Read more

Last Reviewed: September 2023