Are there college scholarships available for students with learning disabilities?

Question:

Are there college scholarships available for students with learning disabilities?

Answer:

Here are some sources we have found that may help you find financial aid for college. This link is to information prepared by LDA’s Adult Topics Committee in the article Financial Aid for College Students with Learning Disabilities.

Scholarships that are available for students with learning disabilities include (click on the link for more information):

The Anne Ford Scholarship. A $10,000 award given to a high school senior with an identified learning disability (LD) who is pursuing an undergraduate degree.

Marion Huber Learning Through Listening (LTL) Awards. Learning Ally will present three $6,000 scholarships and two special honor $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors with learning disabilities.

Microsoft Scholarships for Students with Disabilities. Students with disabilities interested in obtaining an undergraduate degree in computer science or related technical disciplines are requested to apply for the Microsoft scholarship program.

RiSE Scholarship Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit resource and scholarship opportunity for high school students who learn differently.

Arkansas Adult Learning Resource Center (AALRC) also offers scholarship dedicated to students with disabilities in the first section of their website.

Please check with your State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. An individual with a learning disability who is seeking an education leading toward employment may find support there. This support varies considerably depending on the state, but they may provide books and tuition equal to tuition at a public state university. More information can be found in the LDA article Rehabilitation Services Administration.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to determine eligibility for federal grants and loans. FAFSA also provides federal aid for work-study funds. Eligibility for most federal student aid depends on a variety of factors, including Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the student’s year in college, enrollment status, and the cost of attendance at the college selected. See the website for more information

Check back on the LDA website under Adult/Post Secondary for more scholarship opportunities that might arise in the future.

Julia Frost | Director, Jones Learning Center | University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, Arkansas

Julia Frost has been the director of the Jones Learning Center at the University of the Ozarks since July 1994. The Center is a comprehensive support program for students with learning disabilities, AD/HD, and ASD. From 1986 through 1991 she was the Center’s director of assessment. She is a nationally certified school psychologist and worked eight years as a school psychologist in public schools. Julia is the chair of the Adult Topics Committee for LDA. She has three adult children, two of whom have helped her to experience more closely the challenges of living with disabilities.