Scholarships
Many students aren't aware of this, but there are actually a sizable number of scholarships for students with disabilities. Here I've compiled a list of just some of those scholarships with a brief description taken from each of their corresponding websites. I included ADHD because it's highly comorbid with autism, so many students with ASD will probably qualify for those as well, as well as some generic 'disabilities' scholarships.
1. Schwallie Family Scholarship Program
In 2008, the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) introduced the Schwallie Family Scholarship Program to support qualified individuals with autism or Asperger Syndrome residing in the United States pursuing post-secondary education. OAR will present awards of $3,000 each across three categories: 1) Four-year undergraduate college or university; 2) Two-year undergraduate college, and; 3) Trade, technical or vocational school. These will be one-time awards for any recipient.
http://www.researchautism.org/news/otherevents/scholarship.asp
2. Autism Society/CVS Kids
Each year, the Autism Society presents a number of awards to individuals and organizations in recognition of their commitment to the autism community. Award winners are announced each year at the Autism Society’s National Conference and Exposition on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Must be nominated by Autism Society members!
http://www.autism-society.org/about-us/awards-scholarships/
3. Disabled Person Scholarship
This scholarship is for current college student with disabilities only. In order to qualify, the student must be enrolled in a 2 or 4 year accredited college or university in the United States of America. They must be a full-time student and U.S. citizen (minimum of 12 credits for undergraduate, 9 credits for graduate). Basically for this scholarship all you have to do is write an essay on the given, disabilities-related prompt that is no more than 1,000 words.
https://www.disabledperson.com/scholarship-spring-2012
4. Novotni Scholarship ADDA (ADHD)
Each year ADDA awards a number of scholarships ranging from $1,000-$5,000 based on donation funds available to students with ADHD. They are looking for students who have found ways to meet the challenges of ADHD in order to succeed. Requires reference letters and a 600 word essay.
http://www.add.org/?page=NovotniScholarship
5. Shire ADHD Scholarship
This Scholarship is intended for US citizens accepted to or attending an approved college, university, vocational, or technical school as an undergraduate student that has been diagnosed with ADHD and is under the care of a licensed health care professional for ADHD. Recipients receive a $2000 scholarship and 1 year of ADHD coaching services.
http://www.shireadhdscholarship.com/
6. Mays Mission Scholarship
Mays Mission offers scholarships to deserving individuals with physical and/or mental disabilities. Our current program supports 7 college students. To qualify for a Mission scholarship one must be able to document a significant disability, score of 18 or better on the A.C.T or 870 on S.A.T., be enrolled in a four-year study program (under-graduate only) working toward a baccalaureate degree and provide proof of enrollment. You also submit short biography of your goals, aspirations, and accomplishments and a brief description of how you have overcome
your disability. [Side note: Personally, this could probably be turned into a way that you have embraced the disability, should you look at it that way.]
Upon acceptance to our program, recipients agree to provide proof of full-time enrollment each semester, submit grades, maintain a GPA of 2.3 and write an "update letter" providing the Mission with information pertaining to grades, struggles, triumphs, campus life and a general "how are you doing" letter.
http://www.maysmission.org/schol.html
In addition, there are a lot of other non-disability related scholarships out there that you likely qualify for. My advice would be, if you can, to work autism into scholarship essays. It's something that will make your essay stand out. In addition, scholarships are generally looking for someone who has overcome a big obstacle to success in their lives - your ASD could easily be pitched that way. Should you have trouble writing essays, as many do, my recommendation is to speak the essay first. Just record yourself talking with someone else about the essay topic. Words, for many, flow better when spoken rather than written, especially if you happen to have dysgraphia. Then all you have to do is just listen to your recording and write what you said.
I actually already made a compilation of scholarship links on another website I made for transitioning from high school into either college or the workforce. You can find that page and those links here. They include everything from diversity scholarships (for race/ethnicity), major-related scholarships, financial need based scholarships, and more. I guarantee you'll find a scholarship that applies to you on there.
1. Schwallie Family Scholarship Program
In 2008, the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) introduced the Schwallie Family Scholarship Program to support qualified individuals with autism or Asperger Syndrome residing in the United States pursuing post-secondary education. OAR will present awards of $3,000 each across three categories: 1) Four-year undergraduate college or university; 2) Two-year undergraduate college, and; 3) Trade, technical or vocational school. These will be one-time awards for any recipient.
http://www.researchautism.org/news/otherevents/scholarship.asp
2. Autism Society/CVS Kids
Each year, the Autism Society presents a number of awards to individuals and organizations in recognition of their commitment to the autism community. Award winners are announced each year at the Autism Society’s National Conference and Exposition on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Must be nominated by Autism Society members!
http://www.autism-society.org/about-us/awards-scholarships/
3. Disabled Person Scholarship
This scholarship is for current college student with disabilities only. In order to qualify, the student must be enrolled in a 2 or 4 year accredited college or university in the United States of America. They must be a full-time student and U.S. citizen (minimum of 12 credits for undergraduate, 9 credits for graduate). Basically for this scholarship all you have to do is write an essay on the given, disabilities-related prompt that is no more than 1,000 words.
https://www.disabledperson.com/scholarship-spring-2012
4. Novotni Scholarship ADDA (ADHD)
Each year ADDA awards a number of scholarships ranging from $1,000-$5,000 based on donation funds available to students with ADHD. They are looking for students who have found ways to meet the challenges of ADHD in order to succeed. Requires reference letters and a 600 word essay.
http://www.add.org/?page=NovotniScholarship
5. Shire ADHD Scholarship
This Scholarship is intended for US citizens accepted to or attending an approved college, university, vocational, or technical school as an undergraduate student that has been diagnosed with ADHD and is under the care of a licensed health care professional for ADHD. Recipients receive a $2000 scholarship and 1 year of ADHD coaching services.
http://www.shireadhdscholarship.com/
6. Mays Mission Scholarship
Mays Mission offers scholarships to deserving individuals with physical and/or mental disabilities. Our current program supports 7 college students. To qualify for a Mission scholarship one must be able to document a significant disability, score of 18 or better on the A.C.T or 870 on S.A.T., be enrolled in a four-year study program (under-graduate only) working toward a baccalaureate degree and provide proof of enrollment. You also submit short biography of your goals, aspirations, and accomplishments and a brief description of how you have overcome
your disability. [Side note: Personally, this could probably be turned into a way that you have embraced the disability, should you look at it that way.]
Upon acceptance to our program, recipients agree to provide proof of full-time enrollment each semester, submit grades, maintain a GPA of 2.3 and write an "update letter" providing the Mission with information pertaining to grades, struggles, triumphs, campus life and a general "how are you doing" letter.
http://www.maysmission.org/schol.html
In addition, there are a lot of other non-disability related scholarships out there that you likely qualify for. My advice would be, if you can, to work autism into scholarship essays. It's something that will make your essay stand out. In addition, scholarships are generally looking for someone who has overcome a big obstacle to success in their lives - your ASD could easily be pitched that way. Should you have trouble writing essays, as many do, my recommendation is to speak the essay first. Just record yourself talking with someone else about the essay topic. Words, for many, flow better when spoken rather than written, especially if you happen to have dysgraphia. Then all you have to do is just listen to your recording and write what you said.
I actually already made a compilation of scholarship links on another website I made for transitioning from high school into either college or the workforce. You can find that page and those links here. They include everything from diversity scholarships (for race/ethnicity), major-related scholarships, financial need based scholarships, and more. I guarantee you'll find a scholarship that applies to you on there.
Give Your Input!
Know something about this topic that you want to share with others? Maybe you know of an additional scholarship not posted here, or have scholarship-writing techniques? Contact Me with the information and it may end up on the website!
Know something about this topic that you want to share with others? Maybe you know of an additional scholarship not posted here, or have scholarship-writing techniques? Contact Me with the information and it may end up on the website!
