The word ‘Disability’ in general is used for any impairment which makes the person incapacitated to do his/her routine task. Disability can be physical, mental, or sensory etc. Today, 10% of the total world population is trapped under disability. Moving towards US disability statistics, approximately more than 12 % of the US population is disabled. These disabilities not only make the person physically and mentally weak but the associated families too suffer in long run due to the exorbitant medical and other expenditures.

But now colossal number of scholarships, financial aids has left disabled no different from others. Moreover, the Government initiatives like Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) which ensures upliftment and works for the disabled students throughout United States, help the disabled to continue their education.

Through this blog we will  cast light on scholarships which will help disabled students to pursue their studies and enable them to lead an independent life. There are different scholarships available for different types of disabilities like visual, hearing etc and of different levels . However here we are focusing on hearing and visually impaired students.

There are certain associations that continuously serve such students through scholarships and financial aids. So, here we are mentioning certain prominent associations and their available scholarships.

The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) –

AG Bell College Scholarship Awards Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing disables. This merit based scholarship is for full-time courses. Students willing to pursue graduate and post graduate degrees can apply. It is available for US and Non US students. Awards range from $1,000 to $10,000.

The George H. Nofer Scholarship allows full time graduate, Masters and Doctoral students to pursue their studies. However this program only encourages courses like Law and Public Policy, Public Administration etc. Maximum up to three awards of $5,000 each are awarded. However, awarded amount can be varied in upcoming years.

Apart from these, there is also School-Age Financial Aid program that helps students who are in first through twelfth grades and attending a parochial, private or independent (not public) school. This program supports complete educational cost for the students.

 

Arts & Sciences Award Program- encourages studentswho are in grades one through twelve to participate in after-school, weekend or summer programs focused on developing skills in arts or science. The students must be in elementary or secondary school.

Millie Brother Scholarship For Hearing Children Of Deaf Adults for Undergraduate and Graduate Education. These scholarships are awarded annually to pursue education. These are one-time scholarships, but you may apply for as many years as you are in school.

Association of Blind Citizens Scholarship Program provides scholarship for students who are US citizens and seeking a college degree. Seven scholarships valued at $1,000.00 each and one valued at $2,000.00 are funded each school year.

American council of Blind provides 26 scholarships ranging from $ 500-$3,000. It also acknowledges graduate and undergraduate students.
AFB Scholarship Committee offers numerous scholarships for Blind students of US Citizenship for graduate and undergraduate studies in different subjects.

The National Federation of the Blind also encourages blind students to pursue a full-time college or graduate course of study through their scholarship programs. It offers around 30 scholarships ranging $3,000 to $12,000. Further, Hermione Grant Calhoun Scholarship sponsored by NFBaward  blind women  on the basis of academic excellence for full time courses.

Apart from these certain universities also combine with other associations to provide financial aid to disabled students applying, for example University of Michighan with Adam millers fund, NTID Student Leadership Endowed Fund etc.

Certain private and public organizations are also working in the field through their scholarships for disabled dependent family members of the employees like Bank of America providing Jeo Martin Scholarships.

There are also programs running for professional Assistance like Presidential Management Fellowship which is a leadership development program for the advanced degree candidate and also covers disabled candidates thus taking them at par competitively.

Apart from these assistances at initial stages of life, there are also regulations by the Government which ensure equal opportunity at public and commercial facilities under Americans with Disability Act.

These scholarships from different associations and other scholarships are provided annually and assist students with disabilities to pursue their education. The above mentioned scholarships assist US citizens. So, at last we hope that above given information on scholarships will definitely benefit students with disabilities in building up a bright career.

By Vidhi Johri