Students with disabilities have access to a variety of scholarships designed to help them afford college, vocational training, and other educational programs. These scholarships can help cover tuition, fees, books, and other academic expenses, reducing the financial burden of pursuing a college of education. Explore the various scholarships for students with disabilities below.
$12,000
Award Amount
8
Awards
Mar 10
Deadline
This award is available for self-identified gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and queer students attending or planning to attend San Francisco State University, Stanford University, or University of California at Berkeley. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, enroll full time, and demonstrate potential to become positive role models for LGBTQ people.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 19
Deadline
This scholarship is available for all high school seniors, undergraduate students and graduate students who have been diagnosed with hemophilia or Von Willebrands disease or other bleeding disorder. The student must be a U.S. citizen.
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$25,620
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 30
Deadline
This award is available to U.S. undergraduate students who are families and financial dependents of innocent victims who died or were severely and permanently disabled as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States of America and the resulting rescue and recovery efforts. Students must be attending or planning to attend an eligible postsecondary institution in New York.
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$20,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Mar 1
Deadline
U.S. high school seniors who are graduating from a high school in Ocean or Monmouth Counties in New Jersey are eligible for this award. Students must have a parent who has been or is afflicted with cancer OR must be battling cancer.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Feb 15
Deadline
U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in rehabilitation and/or education of persons who are blind or visually impaired are eligible to apply for this award. Students must be legally blind (i.e., have best corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, and/or a visual field of less than 20 degrees in the better eye).
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$46,000
Award Amount
23
Awards
Feb 15
Deadline
This award is available for students in California who have been diagnosed or personally affected by a family member's diagnosis of cancer. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need.
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$7,000
Award Amount
7
Awards
Jun 1
Deadline
The 180 Medical Scholarship Program is for students under a physician’s care for spinal cord injury, spina bifida, transverse myelitis, neurogenic bladder, or ostomy (ileostomy, colostomy, or urostomy). This opportunity is offered to legal U.S. Citizens seeking a two-year, four-year, or graduate school program full-time in the fall.
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$200,000
Award Amount
20
Awards
Oct 14
Deadline
We recognize the value and advantages of diverse ideas within our communities. We are committed to providing a platform to support the next generation of leaders and champions in our industry, and we are focused on growing diversity within the science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) fields.
The Stantec Equity & Diversity Scholarship will contribute to the creation of a critical mass of talented students that will fully represent our industry—it will provide an environment in which all can thrive academically and professionally. Through this scholarship, Stantec will award $200,000 annually. We believe everyone has a right to education, and we are committed to providing people in historically underrepresented and Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) groups with financial aid.
Here at Stantec, we value an inclusive and diverse workplace culture where we seek a broad range of perspectives and contributions to our industry—and the communities where we live and work.
The number of scholarships awarded will be based on the specific needs articulated by applicants, and the award values will be a variable range between $1,500 and $10,000. Additionally, there will be 10 paid internships (locations to be confirmed annually) available to applicants.
The Stantec Equity & Diversity Scholarship is part of a broader commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in our organization. We know that we must increase our focus on building the future talent pipeline and find more ways to support underrepresented populations in our industry. This scholarship program is just one example of our commitment to break through barriers to have an impact.
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$3,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
May 1
Deadline
This award is available for paraplegic or quadriplegic students who are residents of Texas and pursuing a degree at an accredited college or university.
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$2,000
Award Amount
2
Awards
Nov 30
Deadline
This scholarship is available for disabled high school seniors and current undergraduate students who have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher. Applicants must be accepted to an accredited college or university at the time of application.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 15
Deadline
This scholarship is available for U.S. students who have suffered a traumatic brain injury. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
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$90,000
Award Amount
18
Awards
Jul 15
Deadline
Dedicated to continuing the legacy of AIDS educator and activist Pedro Zamora, the Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship supports the undergraduate academic pursuits of young activists (27 years of age or under) working in their communities who carry Pedro's torch forward in pursuit of a bold vision that never again will a community be harmed because of fear, silence, discrimination, or stigma.
Using the HIV/AIDS activism movement as an example, the scholarship supports students taking up social justice work in its many forms and whose activism and work is inspired by their own passions, insights, originality, and conviction.
When the National AIDS Memorial launched the program in 2009, its focus was on selecting scholars who were pursuing careers and community work around HIV/AIDS. Today, the program has evolved, to support young students who are actively engaged in health and social justice issues in a variety of ways.
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$3,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Dec 1
Deadline
We All Have Mental Health… How Can Students' Mental Health Be Supported Virtually? Connect with your peers virtually to understand what is needed to support their mental health during this time. Create a virtual mental health campaign or program, including how you would implement it, by working with your school staff such as, principal, counseling office, and teacher(s). Deadline Date: December 1st Value of the Scholarship: $1,000, $500, $250 Number of Scholarships Available: 3 (one for each cash award) For more information or to apply, please visit the scholarship providers website below.
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$10,000
Award Amount
10
Awards
Mar 15
Deadline
As many as 1 in 50 individuals show signs of Tourette Syndrome or other tic disorder – and most of them undiagnosed, misdiagnosed and/or misunderstood.
NJCTS provides answers for these individuals and their families through referrals to programs and services, education and training so that families, peers and professionals will be better qualified to help those with Tourette Syndrome, and support of research programs so that we can find better treatments and a cure.
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Jun 15
Deadline
At Distasio Law Firm, we fight for the rights of people who suffer from a birth injury. We have been doing this for over a decade, and we will continue to do so because we know how challenging life with a birth injury can be.
If your birth injury was a result of medical malpractice or some form of negligence from another individual, it would also be very easy to live a bitter and resentful life, rather than a hopeful one that sees the possibilities, not the limitations, that lie before you.
If you are reading about this scholarship, you did not take the easy way out. You dug deep and found a spark of motivation that propels you forward. And now you are college-bound. We want to hear your story, and we think other young people who struggle with birth injuries will want to hear it, too.
YOUR STORY COULD BE YOUR TICKET TO WINNING THIS SCHOLARSHIP
Nobody’s story is quite like yours. And nobody can tell it like you can tell it. Imagine where you were five or 10 years ago. Imagine the challenges you were facing. What pulled you through? What life lessons could another birth injury survivor have shared with you at that age to inspire you?
This is what we want to know about you. The applicant whose application and essay most touches us as a story of courage, drive, and hope will win a $2,500 scholarship from Distasio Law Firm.
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$25,000
Award Amount
40
Awards
May 24
Deadline
AbbVie CF Scholarship program, continuing its tradition of celebrating students with cystic fibrosis (CF) as they pursue higher education and their dream careers. For over 30 years, the program has awarded over $3.8 million in scholarships to deserving students nationwide.
Close to 40,000 people in the U.S are living with CF, and over half of this population is age 18 or older. Thanks to improvements in specialized CF care since the 1950s, adults with CF can achieve their life goals, which may include attending college, pursuing their professional goals, getting married, and starting a family.1
AbbVie will select 40 exceptional applicants to receive $3,000 for use during the 2023-2024 academic year based on their creativity, academic excellence, community involvement, and the ability to serve as a positive role model for the CF community. These 40 students will also be given the opportunity to compete for an additional $22,000 for use toward education-related expenses through one of two AbbVie CF Scholarship award categories: Thriving Undergraduate Student and Thriving Graduate Student.
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$3,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Jun 1
Deadline
The Epilepsy Reach Foundation members and volunteers are committed to helping those living with epilepsy and their families reach success by providing guidance and support through informative resources, financial assistance for medication and education, and career services for professional development. Our mission is to empower adults and children living with epilepsy in underserved Southeastern U.S. communities by offering aid and support to enable their success.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jul 4
Deadline
Veterans’ Disability Lawyers at Fight4Vets are thrilled to announce The Dependent Scholarship! As a firm dedicated to improving the lives of disabled veterans, we are happy to provide a scholarship to the community which encourages military members and their families to pursue their education.
The truth is, many harsh realities can come with serving in the military such as, being away from loved ones, physical injuries, and emotional harm, to name a few. However, the military has also provided some much-needed structure and support for individuals and their families. Often, people’s lives improve with the skills and relationships they gain from serving.
For this $1,000 scholarship, we would like to focus on the positive aspect of serving, and we ask students and veterans to analyze how their life enhanced because of the military. Students on active duty, their close family members, and veterans are invited to apply. Tell us about your experience related to the military or how growing up in a military family has positively affected your life.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Oct 31
Deadline
The attorneys at the Berkowitz Hanna Malpractice and Injury Lawyers understand the challenges faced by disability, whether it is personal or not. Disabilities go beyond a medical definition and cause daily challenges in the life of many. We are excited to offer a $1,000 scholarship to help a student overcome a disability.
At Berkowitz Hanna Malpractice and Injury Lawyers, we have experienced how a disability could affect the daily life of someone. We understand that defining disabilities goes beyond a medical definition. We believe strongly in giving back to our community and do not want to see students give up on their dreams because of disability.
The Defining the Disability Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship available to students who meet the scholarship eligibility requirements below and who best describe in a 750-1,000 word essay what discusses how to define disability in the modern world versus its medical definition? While defining what disability means to you, explain how disability has been part of your life, whether it’s affected someone you know or has had a personal effect.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Dec 29
Deadline
At Hoggatt Injury Law, we are passionate about supporting workers and their families whose lives have been affected by work-related injuries. We know that workplace injuries can have far-reaching financial ramifications, including when it comes to a family’s ability to provide for their children’s educational expenses.
We hope to help families address this challenge by offering a scholarship to the child of an employee who has been injured or killed in a work-related accident. The Hoggatt Injury Law Children of Injured Workers Scholarship provides $1,000 to assist with a student’s tuition and other educational expenses at their chosen college or university anywhere in the United States.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Apr 30, 2025
Deadline
Ever faced a hurdle that seemed as tall as a mountain? The Beyond Barriers Scholarship is calling out to everyone who have turned obstacles into stepping stones! If you’ve navigated through disability-related challenges and emerged with lessons that light your path, we want to hear your story.
Dive into your experiences—those moments of triumph, insight, and perhaps a little humor—where you turned ‘I can’t’ into ‘I can and I will!’ Tell us about the insights that disability brought into your life and how they’ve sculpted the person you are today.
Don’t just chase your dreams—pave the way with the wisdom of your journey. Apply now and share how you’ve gone beyond barriers to grow!
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$2,500
Award Amount
1
Award
Sep 30
Deadline
At Coats & Todd, we have more than 60 years of combined experience handling complex Social Security disability matters on behalf of clients throughout the entire Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. In fact, Social Security disability is all we do. Unlike other law firms that only devote a small portion of their practice to these types of claims, our exclusive focus on Social Security disability allows us to dedicate all of our time, efforts, and resources to helping people like you with SSD matters. We are ready to use our extensive experience to help you navigate each step of your case and work to achieve a positive resolution.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
May 31
Deadline
At Solution Now Law Firm, we believe in the ability of everyone to achieve their goals. Car accident victims, post-combat veterans, and other affected individuals may doubt their abilities, but the right environment and support system can help them move forward. Working in injury law, we have seen the hurdles people with a disability face, but we continue to be inspired by those who use their disability as a strength. For that reason, we are proud to announce our Ability Scholarship!
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$3,000
Award Amount
3
Awards
Dec 31
Deadline
Independent Life Home Care is dedicated to improving the lives of disabled students, helping them live the most independent life possible. The $1000 Disabled Student Scholarship, offered by Independent Life Home Care, is open to disabled students currently enrolled in a college.
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$1,000
Award Amount
1
Award
Jul 31
Deadline
ABC Law Centers will award one scholarship per year in the amount of $1,000 to a student who has cerebral palsy. The Cerebral Palsy Scholarship will be presented to a single applicant. Applicants will need to submit all required application materials outlined below by the deadline of July 31st.
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General Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
Some scholarships are open to students with any disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), or other governing bodies. These scholarships typically have broad eligibility criteria and support students across various disciplines and educational levels.
Scholarships for Specific Disabilities
Many scholarship programs focus on students with particular disabilities. Examples include scholarships for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, cerebral palsy, hearing or vision impairments, diabetes, or learning disabilities.
Additional Eligibility Criteria for Disability Scholarships
Beyond having a qualifying disability, many scholarships require applicants to meet additional criteria, such as demonstrating academic achievement (e.g., maintaining a minimum GPA), demonstrating commitment to personal and educational goals, community service participation, and leadership skills. You will also often need to write an essay and possibly provide references as well as other documentation.
How Disability Scholarships Can Help Pay for College
According to the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO), over 3.5 million college students have at least one disability. This represents about 20% of all students enrolled in higher education, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), which defines a disability as a physical or mental condition that limits one or more major life activities. A disability can affect how we move, communicate, and learn.
If you are a college student with a disability, a scholarship could be particularly helpful. Unlike taking out a student loan, it is financial aid you typically do not pay back. As a result, it may help finance your college education.
How to Find and Apply for Disability Scholarships
If you are a student with a disability looking for scholarships, these are the key steps to take:
- Research Scholarships: Look for disability-specific scholarships from non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, religious organizations, and educational institutions. Unigo.com is also a great resource to search for scholarships for disabled students.
- Evaluate Eligibility Requirements: Review the scholarship eligibility criteria carefully to ensure you qualify.
- Gather Required Documentation: Gather transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and other documentation that may be required when you apply.
- Write a Compelling Personal Essay: Share your experiences, challenges, and educational/career goals. Make sure your essay is personal and representative of your voice and motivation.
Apply On Time: Keep track of deadlines and apply for each scholarship as early as possible to increase your chances.
Our Scholarships
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$1,500 – I Have a Dream
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$10,000 – Unigo $10K Award
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$1,500 – Sweet and Simple
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$2,500 – Superpower
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$3,000 – All About Education
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$1,500 – Fifth Month Scholarship
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$1,500 – Do-Over
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$1,500 – Flavor of the Month
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$1,500 – Make Me Laugh
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$1,500 – Shout It Out
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$2,000 – Zombie Apocalypse
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$5,000 – Education Matters
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$1,500 – Top Ten List
Written by Dave Moniz
✔️
Edited by Unigo Staff