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Nursing Home Abuse Awareness and Prevention Scholarship

Nursing Home Abuse and Awareness Scholarship

Awareness and Prevention Scholarship

The Nursing Home Abuse Awareness and Prevention Scholarship is funded by NursingHomeAbuse.net in partnership with Education Aid, Inc. in an effort to provide awareness to the public regarding nursing home abuse. Along with a goal of helping to stop nursing home abuse, the partnership of Education Aid, Inc. and NursingHomeAbuse.net seeks to assist students who do not receive enough financial aid to cover the total cost of their education.

Unlike many typical disability scholarships; however, this scholarship is unique in that it not only provides students with assistance for paying tuition, but also helps with financial expenses that are non-tuition related in an effort to help students in reaching their educational goals. In this regard, the Nursing Home Abuse Awareness and Prevention Scholarship is truly one of a kind.

This is because many students who are enrolled currently in a degree-seeking program do not possess the financial resources in order to complete their education. This is actually one of the primary reasons why many students ultimately drop out of college and never complete their degrees.

The Nursing Home Abuse Awareness and Prevention Scholarship is meant to enable students to complete their education while also providing them the necessary assistance they need in implementing improved elder care within their communities. Consequently, this scholarship is intended to be awarded to an individual who has been affected personally by nursing home abuse and who has made a commitment to making a difference in the senior citizen population, or who has a strong commitment regarding this issue and who is strongly considering working with the elderly population for their career.

According to statistics, nursing home abuse across the United States has become quite pervasive. Based on information from the CDC, approximately 159,000 residents in nursing homes will suffer from abuse; amounting to about 11%. This is a problem that continues to expand as the Baby Boomer population ages at a rapid rate. In fact, 10,000 additional Baby Boomers turn 65 each and every day, amounting to a rate of 1 in 4 who will be at risk of abuse, according to a 2008 British Geriatrics Society report.

Furthermore, reports have indicated that nursing home abuse remains grossly underreported with only 1 in 5 cases of physical abuse of senior citizens ever reported, according to NCEA.gov. This is typically because many people are unaware of the proper steps that should be taken to report nursing home abuse, including how to report possible abuse to authorities, the proper way to document abuse and the statute of limitations as it applies to nursing home abuse. Organizations such as NursingHomeAbuse.net seek to provide education regarding an individual’s rights as nursing home patients, the typical types of injuries that occur in nursing homes, why abuse occurs and the best way to combat it.

The scholarship is exclusively awarded to an applicant who is pursuing a career which will help to prevent abuse in nursing homes. One scholarship winner will receive the $5,000 scholarship. To qualify for the scholarship, applicants are required to be enrolled in a college or university. The proceeds of the scholarship can be used to help in paying for non-tuition related expenses during the 2012-2013 academic year. These expenses may include, but are not necessarily limited to childcare, rent, travel, gas, utilities, books, supplies and groceries.

Additional eligibility requirements do apply to be considered for the Nursing Home Abuse Awareness and Prevention Scholarship. Along with attending an accredited post-secondary institution, applicants must also be a United States citizen, must already be receiving some type of financial aid and must be pursuing a degree in a nursing (preferably geriatrics), social work, healthcare administration or psychology. In addition, applicants must be considering using their education work with the elderly or in order to help fight nursing home abuse. This is not your typical disability scholarship but it’s in the same educational category.

Education Aid, Inc. will begin accepting scholarship applications on January 15, 2012. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is February 15, 2012.

Contact Info for the Nursing Home Abuse and Awareness Scholarship
Shannon Shoemaker
Outreach Coordinator
NursingHomeAbuse.net – ‘Dedicated To Preventing The Causes And
Repairing The Consequences Of Nursing Home Abuse.’
Shannon@NursingHomeAbuse.net

Canadian Disability Scholarships

Canadian-disability scholarships

Canadian Disability Scholarships

Canadian disability scholarships come in two categories. The first one is a student who is disabled and looking for Canadian student aid. The second is disability studies themselves – this is where anyone (disabled or not) can study in the field of disability type of training/studies in order to have a career helping and working with the disabled in some manner.

When looking for Canada disability scholarships you must make sure that that the province the disability scholarship is for is the province you live in. To be eligible for Canadian scholarships and bursaries in general, you must be a resident of that particular province. Otherwise you cannot apply. Also just as critical is paying attention to the scholarship criteria is all too important and you may waste your time filling out the application.

Disability scholarships in Canada come from a number of sources. For instance there is a Great-West Life Graduate Scholarship in Disability Management from the University of Northern British Columbia. The eligible province is British Columbia. The monetary award is $3,000 and you must have a masters to apply. Normally a masters Canadian scholarship pays much more then an undergraduate award.

For example, the Focus Bursary Canadian Scholarships for disabled studies pays $1,000 for a student who is a resident of Saskatchewan awarded by the University of Saskatchewan. You must be a full time student to receive the award also.

The Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation of Canada is a Graduate Student Research Award which is a Canadian Scholarship only for Ph.D. students. It pays up to $10,000 to eligible applicants. You can use this Canadian disability scholarship at any university and the participating provinces are Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and good old Saskatchewan.

Amputee Scholarships for Golf

amputee scholarships

Amputee Scholarships for Golf

Amputee members of the NAGA may wish to apply for amputee scholarships for golf from the National Amputee Golf Association Educational Scholarship Grant Program. Members of the NAGAas well as their dependents are eligible to apply for the golf grant. The amount of the amputee grant for the four-year bachelor’s degree is $2,000 per year. This is based on $1,000 increments per semester. Tri-semester programs may also be considered. The golf grant is awarded for a maximum of four years or until the student graduates, whichever should occur first. The award amount for a 2 year non-bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree is a maximum of $1,000 per year or $500 per semester.

National Amputee Golf Association Amputee Scholarships Mission

The goal of this program is to assist amputee members or their dependent in paying tuition and fees while pursuing a two year technical/vocational degree or undergraduate degree at an accredited vocational/technical school or college. Funds from the National Amputee Golf Association Educational Scholarship Grant are disbursed to the award recipient so that they may pay the costs associated with their educational expenses.

NAGA Golf Amputee Scholarship Criteria

The award will continue to be awarded to recipient based on four criteria, maintaining a 3.0 GPA, continuing to demonstrate financial need, continuing membership in the NAGA and timely submission of grades and enrollment certifications. To be eligible for the amputee scholarships for golf, students must be an amputee member in good standing with the National Amputee Golf Association or a dependent of an amputee member who is in good standing. The applicant must also have a scholastic background that is sufficient to be admitted to an accredited college or institution. Applicants must also demonstrate financial assistance by submitting a Student Aid Report. Also, students must be enrolled at a minimum of half time. Applications must be submitted no later than September 1st.

About the NAGA and How the Golf Amputee Scholarships Started

The National Amputee Golf Association was incorporated in 1954. In the beginning, the organization consisted of only a small group of amputee golfers. The small friendly games that originated the organization eventually developed into regional tournaments across the United States. NAGA has today grown to consist of 2,500 members around the world. The original dozen amputee members included Dale Bourisseau, who was a WWII veteran. Mr. Bourissea was physically disabled as a result of an amputation below the knee incurred during his service in the war. After he connected with other comrades who had similar injuries, he convinced them to begin playing golf as a way to reinforce their pride as a method of recreation.

Dale eventually formed a partnership with Possibilities Unlimited, which was a group of individuals with disabilities from Cleveland, Ohio. As a way of attracting members, Dale began to travel with golf clubs. That, combined with word of mouth, helped to grow the organization. Over time the group grew to a regional organization and then began to play tournaments in cities around the country. Along with players across the United States, National Amputee Golf Association now has hundreds of members in approximately 17 different countries around the world. Along with national tournaments, the organization also sponsors a National Senior Championship and local and regional tournaments across the country.

The National Amputee Golf Association also sponsors the First Swing Program. This program teaches adaptive golf to individuals with disabilities. More than 30 clinics have been held across the country on an annual basis. Golf for the Physically Challenged program has also makes it possible for many people to realize that they can play the game of golf and enjoy an outdoor sport despite the fact that they may have a disability or physical challenge. The National Amputee Golf Association’s First Swing program has also been introduced to rehabilitation centers and hospitals throughout the country. As a result, hundreds of physically challenged individuals and amputees have been able to participate in National Amputee Golf Association golf programs.

This program may be the only golf amputee scholarships grants which exist of its kind with exception to private clubs scartered throughout the country and only their members would be eligible to apply for them. NAGA is currently directed by a Board of Trustees that is comprised of five regional representatives.

Nursing Disability Scholarships

nursing disability scholarships

Nursing Disability Scholarships for Disabled

If you are a student with disabilities who is considering pursuing a career within the nursing field, it is a good idea to look for nursing disability scholarships to help you fund your higher education. While advancing your education can be expensive, scholarships can help to defray the cost of your education and allow you to enter a rewarding and exciting career as a nurse sooner.

Many Nursing Disability Scholarships for Disabled Students

You may be surprised to find there are actually many scholarships available specifically for nursing students with disabilities, including the Peter Gili Scholarship Award. This $500 scholarship award is given to nursing students with disabilities and was donated by friends and family members in the memory of Peter Gili.

The Mary Serra Gili scholarship award is given to disabled nursing students and is worth $250. The funds for this scholarship were donated by Thomas Gili.

The Caroline Simpson Maheady Scholarship award is also given to nursing students challenged by disabilities. This is a $250 scholarship award with preferences given to undergraduate students who are of Scottish descent and who have demonstrated a commitment to working with others with disabilities.

The ExceptionalNurse.com scholarship award is worth $250 and is given to a qualified student facing disabilities who wishes to pursue their education in the nursing field. Undergraduate students receive priority for this scholarship award. Applicants are required to demonstrate a commitment to excelling in a career as a nurse. This scholarship is only awarded once and is not renewable.

The Jill Laura Creedon Scholarship is worth $500 and is given to a nursing student with a medical challenge or disability. The award is sponsored by the Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing’s Future as a memorial to Jill Laura Creedon.

The Anna May Rolando Scholarship Award is also given to nursing students with disabilities. This $500 scholarship offers preference for graduate students who have demonstrated a commitment to working with individuals with disabilities.

The Bruno Rolando Scholarship award is worth $250 and is given to students who are pursuing nursing as a profession and who have a disability. Preference is given to students who are also employed at a Veteran’s hospital.

The Genevieve Saran Richmond Award, worth $500, is also awarded to a nursing student challenged by a disability. Funds for the scholarship were donated by Leslie and Virginia Fiur.

Eligibilty Requirements for Nursing Disability Scholarships

To be eligible for these disability scholarships, applicants must be able to document their disability and must have applied to or have already been admitted to a university or college nursing program on a full-time basis. Applicants must also submit three recommendation letters from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s personal character and academic abilities. All applications must be received by no later than June 1st for consideration.

DAR Scholarships for Disabled Nursing Students

The Daughters of the American Revolution provides a variety of nursing scholarships, including the Caroline E. Holt Nursing Scholarship and the Mildred Nutting Nursing Scholarship. DAR also offers the Madelein Pickett (Halbert) Cogswell Nursing Scholarship. In order to qualify for the scholarship applicants are required to be sponsored by a member of a Daughters of the American Revolution chapter and also to be a member or a descendent of a member of Daughters of the American Revolution. These nursing disability scholarships are one-time awards of $1,000 each. Applications must be received by no later than February 15th.

Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship for Disabled Nurses

Students interested in nursing disability scholarships may also wish to apply for the Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship. This scholarship program provides for up to $3,500 in annual scholarships for nursing students provided they are committed to working as a LPN or RN in Kansas. The scholarship does involve a one-year employment agreement. Applicants must have been accepted into a nursing program located in Kansas. They must also have obtained a commitment from a sponsor who agrees to pay half of the nursing disability scholarship funds and will provide full-time employment within a six month period of the date the student becomes licensed.

Paralyzed Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

paralyzed scholarships

Paralyzed Scholarships

Students with disabilities may be eligible to receive a variety of different paralyzed scholarships. Many colleges and universities as well as private organizations offer scholarships specifically for students who are paralyzed. It should be kept in mind that some of these disability scholarships may require students to submit medical verification by a physician regarding their paralysis. Other scholarships may not require applicants to submit any proof of their paralysis. The goal of most scholarships for paralyzed students is to assist the applicant in achieving their goals in advancing their education.

The Paralyzed Veterans of America Scholarship program, also known as the PVA Scholarship Program was first started in 1986. This scholarship programs makes it possible for paralyzed veterans as well as their dependents to continue their education. Applicants must be United States citizens and also full-time or part-time students enrolled in a degree program. There are also academic achievement requirements for these paralyzed scholarships. The mission of the Paralyzed Veterans of American is to help in sustaining medical research as well as the civil rights for all individuals with disabilities. One of the key elements of this organization is to provide research to assist in discovering a way of reversing paralysis. The organization has sponsored more than $300,000 in paralyzed scholarships since the organization was founded.

The disabilities scholarship program was originally founded to offer some type of financial assistance to paralyzed veterans and their families. The organization not only works to offer scholarships to disabled veterans but also offers services to assist in making the lives of disabled veterans better in many different ways. Winners of scholarships under this program receive $500 if they are enrolled in school part-time. Full-time students receive award amounts of $1,000. These scholarships for students with disabilities are largely merit based. As a merit-based scholarship, this program requires students to submit a personal statement as well as their academic history, activities and letters of recommendation. The application requires students to submit information regarding their experiential activities and how they have been able to continue their life as normal and move on beyond their disability.

Other Scholarships for Paralyzed Students

The Mei Yuen Hoover Scholarships for students with disabilities is offered by George Washington University. This disability scholarship program was established in 1999 as a result of a bequest by Ms. Mei Yuen Hoover. This paralyzed scholarship is available through the university’s College of Arts and Sciences. It is only available for undergraduate or graduate students. Applicants must demonstrate academic achievement as well as financial need to be eligible for this scholarship.

The ChairScholars Foundation Scholarship program was originated by the former Chief of Spinal Surgery through the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, Hugo A. Keim, M.D. The foundation now operates a national program as well as a program in New York and Florida. The program offers paralyzed scholarships to disabled students and is open to economically disadvantaged students around the country who have serious physical disabilities. Scholarships for paralyzed students through this program that provide tuition are available at the university or the college of the applicant’s choice. The Florida scholarship program offers full-tuition scholarships that can be used for tuition assistance to help with vocational training or work toward a bachelor’s degree.

The Spina Bifida Scholarship or SBA Scholarship program was established in 1988. This paralyzed scholarship is a one-year disabled scholarship with a goal of assisting individuals who were born with this particular spinal defect in pursuing their higher education goals. Students with this condition who are accepted by or who are enrolled in a 4-year college or a 2-year college are eligible for this disability scholarship program. Students accepted by or enrolled in a vocational, trade or business school are eligible for this paralyzed program. To apply for these paralyzed scholarships for students with disabilities, applicants must submit a doctor’s statement that confirms their disability. They must also submit a copy of the letter of acceptance from their educational institution to be considered for the Spina Bifida Association scholarship.

Flight Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

scholarships for disabilities

Able Flight Scholarships for Disabilities

Although learning to pilot a plan can be demanding, Able flight scholarships for students with disabilities can help to make it a little less financially strenuous. For individuals with disabilities, the quest to learn to fly can sometimes be even more of a challenge. This is precisely why Able Flight offers flying scholarships to assist disabled individuals with the chance to regain the ability to fly following a disability or to learn to fly despite their disability. This program offers four different types of aviation scholarships. These four types of flying scholarships are specifically designed to meet the various needs of different individuals according to their current situation and future goals.

Full aviation scholarships are offered for individuals who have a desire to earn a Sport Pilot license. Eligible applicants must be able to provide proof of their disability from their attending physician and also must be at least 17 years of age. They must also be a United States citizen, possess a valid driver’s license and be physically able to operate the training aircraft controls. Special controls may be available as needed for disability scholarship scholars. Aviation scholarships for students with disabilities are accepted on a continuous basis, so there is no need to be concerned about making sure the scholarship application is sent in by a particular deadline.

Other Able Scholarships for Flying

There are also three other Able Flight scholarships which are available. They include:

The Return to Flight Scholarships are available to individuals who have become disabled after they have previously earned a pilot’s license and now have a desire to return to flying through the Sport Pilot Rule. For people with disabilities who thought their dream of returning to flight was behind them, this scholarship can help them to renew their dreams.

The Flight Training Challenge Scholarship is available to individuals who may be able to benefit from dual instruction and who do not have any current plans to obtain a Sport Pilot license.

Career Training Scholarships are offered to individuals who have a desire to attending training for the purpose of earning a FAA-issued Repairman Certificate for Light Sport Aircraft with a Maintenance Rating.

Able Flight Scholarships for Disabled Student Requirements

Candidates for all Able Flight scholarships will need to complete the appropriate application form. This includes writing an essay on the topic of how receiving this flight scholarship would transform their lives. There will also be an initial interview conducted to determine scholarship award recipients. In some cases, interviews may be conducted via telephone. After the initial interview has been conducted, finalists for Able Flight scholarships for disabled students  will need to make an in-person appearance to be interviewed near their home.

Able Flight training scholarships for disabled students provide ground as well as flight training along with testing, lodging and travel expenses as necessary. Upon selection, winners of the Able Flight scholarships will receive a comprehensive King Schools Sport Pilot knowledge course or ground school. This intensive ground school training course will provide award winners with the knowledge necessary to fly a light sport airplane based on Sport Pilot requirements of the FAA. This program is comprised of between 30 and 35 hours along with comprehensive ground school study. The flying scholarship provides training for a four to five week period. Applicants who apply for the Return to Flight or the Flight Training Challenge scholarships for students with disabilities should ensure they are available to travel for a one-week training period.

Able Flight, which is a scholarship organization, was established by pilots with a belief that a life-altering experience of learning to fly is better when it is shared. As a result of that belief, Able Flight Scholarships for students with disabilities were designed to allow people with disabilities to pursue the experience of learning to fly. The Able Flight Board of Directors is comprised of a flight instructor as well as an Aviation Medical Examiner, a pilot and a veteran who actually pilots his own plate with the use of a prosthetic device. This organization is supported by the generous sponsorships and donations of foundations, corporations and individuals.

Wheelchair Scholarship for Disability

wheelchair-scholarships

Wheelchair Scholarships

Wheelchair scholarship disability programs are out there, offering those individuals that rely on a wheelchair to get around a great way to pay for college. One of the top wheelchair scholarship programs available is the 1800 Wheelchair Program. They have been offering disability scholarships annually for the past 8 years. This past year they had approximately 200 applications submitted. Applicants have to submit an essay that describes how they have offered a helping hand to others. This essay needs to be 500 words long. There are two winners each year, each getting a disability scholarship of $500. All applicants must be enrolled in an accredited high school or college in the USA. They must be at least 16 years of age, and if they are in high school they must be a senior.

All applicants for the 1800 wheelchair scholarship must be in good standing at their school with a GPA of at least 3.0. Applicants are taken from February 1st through June 30th. Applicants must rely on the use of a wheelchair to get around at least 50% of the time to be eligible for these wheelchair scholarships.

SpinLife Innovation in Motion Scholarship Program is offered for those students that are confined to a wheelchair. It can be manually operated or it can be electric. There is one $500 disability scholarship awarded annually to a student that is attending an accredited four year university as an undergraduate.  Applicants for such wheelchair scholarship opportunities must have a GPA of at least 3.0. Another stipulation is that the applicants can have any disciplinary actions against them at the school or with law enforcement to be eligible. Applications are taken from January 15th through April 1st.

The AmeriGlide Achiever Scholarship is offered to a full time college student that is enrolled in an accredited program as an undergraduate. The student must use a wheelchair at least 50% of the time. The $500 disability scholarship is offered to one recipient annually to assist with books and fees. The recipient though will get the funds twice a year, in the fall and spring, so the amount is $1,000 total. Applications are taken from January 10th through April 15th.

A great wheelchair scholarship to consider is offered by The Wheelchair Mavericks. They have various sponsors that offer funds for the disability scholarships, and many of these are available are named after those sponsors. The amount of award can range from $250 to $2,850. The amount of money available depends on the funds that they get annually. There are different application dates, deadlines, and criteria due to the many different types of wheelchair scholarship funds that are readily available.

Chair Scholars Foundation offers disabled scholarships to low income individuals that use a wheelchair. Applicants must be enrolled in a vocational school program or an accredited college. Applicants must submit an essay with the application that explains how the funds will help them to pursue their dreams.Each year five winners are awarded $1,500. Applications are taken from February 1st through April 15th. Winners will be notified by May 15th and the funds can be used for education the following fall.

In 2003, the National MS Society Scholarship Program was implemented. This wheelchair scholarship program is offered to over 500 applicants in the past couple of years. In the first few years, they had limited funds. The amount of award can vary from $250 to $2,500. In 2010 this wheelchair scholarship fund offered over $1 million in assistance to those in a wheelchair that wanted to pursue higher levels of education. Applications are taken from February 1st through May 1st each year. There is a 500 word essay that must accompany the application. The topic for the essay varies each year, and typically involves a topic that is important in society and for those with a disability. Applicants must also be enrolled in a four year accredited college program for the upcoming fall.

Disability Scholarships for Deaf Students

scholarships-for-deaf

Deaf Scholarships

Today there are more disability scholarships for deaf students than most people realize. The ability to have a solid education in spite of loss of hearing is still possible. One of the best deaf scholarships is the Alexander Graham Bell Association program. Applications are taken on November 1st each year, and they will only accept the first 500 applications so it is very important to get it in immediately when that deadline rolls around. Each applicant that meets all of the requirements, up to the first 500 annually, will receive $1,000 for college. The level of hearing loss for the applicant must be 60dB or greater. Applicants may be deaf from birth or have a significant hearing impairment that they developed later in life. All applicants must rely on the use of speech and residual hearing or speech reading as their means of effectively communicating. They may already be accepted to or enrolled as a full time student at an accredited college that has programs for students with regular hearing capacity.

The Alan B. and Florence B. Crammattee Fellowship are deaf scholarships you may be interested in. This disability scholarship is for students that are going to pursue a business related field in an accredited university for individuals that hear normally. These scholarships for deaf are only offered to those that have been accepted into a graduate program. Preference is given to those with a hearing impairment that have a master’s degree and who are seeking to complete their doctorate. A high GPA is also taken into consideration as well as community involvement. Applications are taken from January 1st through April 20th. Two scholarships are offered annually for the amount of $5,000 each. These hearing impaired scholarships can be renewed for a period up to four years. For a renewal, the student must continue to be a full time student and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Another of the great scholarships for deaf students is only for women seeking a doctorate. This is the IADES Fellowship Award. One woman will receive the disabled scholarship annually, and it will pay for the tuition and books for the following academic year. They must have at least 12 or more credits and a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applications for this scholarship are taken from January 15th through April 15th.

The Minnie Pearl Scholarship Program offers hearing impaired scholarships to those that show they are exceptional students. Minnie Pearl was a delightful performer at the Grand Ole Opry. Applicants have to show they are leaders, doing well academically, and that they are interested in completing their college education.

Students have to complete an essay about how they have been able to achieve their goals with hearing loss. There are 14 students that will receive these deaf scholarships annually. Each recipient will receive $2,000. They must be a high school senior with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, significant hearing loss, and a citizen of the USA. Applications are taken from November 15th through February 15th.

Sertoma International Scholarships are available for those that are deaf or hard of hearing and interested in completing their four year degree. Each year they offer 13 disability scholarships of $1,000 each. Students must be a citizen of either the USA or Canada to be eligible. Applicants to these scholarships for deaf students must have a GPA of 3.2 or higher, entering a four year college that is accredited, and have experienced significant hearing loss. Applications are taken from December 15th through May 2nd.

Any of these deaf scholarships for students can make it possible for you to continue your education. Today’s technology makes it possible for accommodations to be made in the learning environment for those that have hearing loss, so don’t let such a situation hold you back from the future you want for yourself.

Hard of hearing scholarships can help you to pay for your education and to be able to enjoy a program at any accredited college that you are eligible for.

Amputee Scholarships

amputee-scholarship

Amputee Scholarships

There are amputee scholarships for disabled students from the Amputee Coalition out there that you may be eligible for if you have lost a limb. The Bridge to Ability scholarship is one that is very interesting and can help you to realize your dreams. Just because you have lost a part of your body, it doesn’t mean you can’t overcome barriers. This particular disability scholarship is for those that have a financial need so that they attend college.

All applications must be a registered friend of the Amputee Coalition. They must have lost at least one limb within the past two years prior to their date of application. Proof of income and income statements have to be submitted to verify the financial need. The funds approved will also help the student to be able to attend the Amputee Coalition National Conference.

This conference is one that can be very informative and empowering. Many individuals are struggling with various situations due to the loss of a limb. However, being able to get support from other amputees, learning about resources out there to help them, and other benefits can significantly aid them with taking control over their situation.

They will learn a great deal at the National conference about themselves, their rights in the workplace, and how to overcome various obstacles that may be currently in their way. Even with the loss of a limb, a person can have a great quality of life and a career that they are very fond of. Being able to accept what has occurred and making a plan for the future will get you in that direction.

Not only that, but you can make some great friends at the National conference. Other people that have been in your shoes and can help you to get through the rough patches through listening, talking, and sharing. You can even offer such encouragement to other attendees that you meet who may not be at the same level of dealing with the situation as you are.

Any applicant must not have attended that conference in the past. A letter of application from a friend or community member must be included. A biography with information about the person, how they lost a limb, and future plans should be included. A recent photo is also required.

Those that are approved for the amputee scholarships will have all of their expenses covered to attend the Amputee Coalition National Conference. They agree to attend all of the sessions and to successfully represent the organization at this conference.

The Christina Skoski Scholarship is another one of the great Amputee Coalition disability scholarships that are available. The award amount is $1,000 to one full time student in an undergraduate program. The student must show that they have a limb loss or difference or be a child of someone that fits that category.

The applications are taken from December 1st through April 1st the following year. The recipient will be notified by May 1st. To be considered for this Amputee Coalition scholarship, transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, a letter of recommendation, and a personal statement from the applicant must be turned in with the application.

All applicants must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, ACT score of 30 or higher, and SAT score of 1,340 or higher. Documentation has to be mailed in if the student is submitting their application online. Students must also be planning on attending an accredited college with a full time status that coming fall.

The personal statement should be two pages in length, typed, and double spaced. There are three questions that have to be clearly answered in that personal statement: why do you want to attend college? Why are you passionate about your selected area of study? What are your goals for your career? Such information can help determine if you are the best candidate for Amputee Coalition scholarships for disabled students, so put plenty of thought and heart into your answers.

Amputee scholarships are not in abundance when looking for student financial aid and students should look for general disability scholarships to broaden their scope for available financial aid. Most colleges do have programs for disabled students and it’s always recommended to visit the financial aids office to learn more about them.

Caregiver Scholarships for Disability Care

caregiver-scholarships

Caregiver Scholarships

Caregiver scholarships for disability care are given out to those people who have been involved in taking care of another person or people and are now interested in going to school to advance their learning. It is difficult to deny that caregivers are often participating in thankless roles, coming in to take care of an unknown or perhaps even a loved one, and making sure their needs are fulfilled. In many ways caregivers scholarships are designed to give back to those who give so much by allowing them to afford not only the time to go to school but also but also the appreciation which is so often lacking.

Because of the nature of the field, it is not surprising to find that there are a decent number of scholarships for caregivers available from various organizations across the United States both at the national and regional levels. Various criteria is used to determine eligibility – with the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan some caregiver scholarships are specifically reserved for wives or caregivers of injured soldiers while others may only be giving out monetary awards to those who fulfill caregiver duties for the elderly, infirm or dying. Students who perform caregiving work will find a plethora of scholarships for disability care available to them if they only take the time to look.

The Rosalyn Carter Institute of Caregiving provides multiple caregiver scholarships for disability care every year to deserving students. There are three different applicable programs which are the Matie J.T. Stepanek, John and Betty Pope caregiver scholarships, and the Georgia Caregiver of the Year Award. Each program gives out different amounts, have different due dates and differing eligibility requirements but all of them are great sources of financial aid from caregiver scholarships.

The Matie J.T. Stepanek caregiver scholarship is due every year by May 31, giving out a varying number of $2,500 awards. This program requires that students be looking for financial assistance for education or training for the purpose of expanding their caregiving skill sets. In essence this meant that this caregiver scholarship does not require students to be enrolled in degree seeking programs so long as they are expanding their general knowledge base and will be able to apply the skills they are learning.

Scholarships for caregivers are given out through the John and Betty Pope program award $3,500 to deserving students. All applicants are expected to be going to school for at least 12 credit hours, have at least a 3.0 grade point average and be prepared to work towards a caregiver specialist certificate. The money awarded in this program is renewable and students may be able to reapply in the following years. In order to submit materials by the deadline students will need to have their applications turned in no later than March 1.

The last Rosalyn Carter Institute of Caregiving scholarship which deserves mention is the Georgia Caregiver of the Year Award. This program is something which students will be able to apply to directly but also has an automatic submission process in which their applications are considered after submission to other programs. Students interested in this program will need to have a disability themselves while pursuing the caregiver profession of nursing. This caregiver scholarship for disability is awarded only once a year and is not renewable. It gives out awards in the amount of $500-750 and all materials must be turned in no later than June 1.

A really great program which gives out caregiver scholarships is the Hope for the Warriors program. This caregiving scholarship gives out financial assistance to the spouses or caregivers of American injured soldiers. The program gives out five different awards twice a year for up to $5,000 as well as a sixth caregiver scholarship for $1,250. All of the available programs follow the same eligibility requirements. In order to apply students will need to be able to prove they are married to an injured American soldier, reside in the United States, be preparing to attend an accredited college and have at least a 2.6 grade point average. All applications are due no later than April 13.

Cystic Fibrosis Scholarships for Disability

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Cystic Fibrosis Scholarships

Cystic fibrosis scholarships for disability students are awarded who are currently living with CF (cystic fibrosis) as an active condition in their life. This incredibly debilitating disease is the most common inherited disorder in the United States and 1 in 29 Caucasian Americans are believed to be carriers of the condition. The symptoms of the disease include the growth of large amounts of mucus in the lungs and intestines making it difficult to breathe and process food appropriately. Students who are afflicted with the condition are in some cases able to live their lives very successfully depending on how extreme the mutations in their genetic structure relating to CF are. For these students there are many different cystic fibrosis scholarships available should they decide they would like to take a stab at attending college. While some students will not survive into adulthood, most people with CF go on to live adult lives, on average surviving to at least 35 years of age. These young adults must go on to face life’s challenges as almost all other adults do, and getting a college education is part of that process. Those students with CF that are interested in getting their college education should sincerely consider their options with regards to cystic fibrosis scholarships.

The Boomer Esiason Foundation provides a number of disability scholarships for cystic fibrosis of varying amounts to students every year. One such program, named after the foundation, is the Boomer Esiason Foundation Scholarship Program. This wonderful cystic fibrosis scholarship provides anywhere from $500 to $2,000 four times a year to 10 to 15 different students. Applicants will need to provide a letter from their physician verifying that they are living with CF, be able to display financial need and have strong academic marks. Students should apply to this program as early as possible so that they may be considered for each of the quarterly decisions.

Another CF scholarship for disability students provided in partnership with the Boomer Esiason Foundation is the Sacks for Cystic Fibrosis Scholarship. This program generously provides cystic fibrosis scholarships for disability students from at least $3,000 up to as much as $10,000 to 30 people every year. The available guidelines for the program are fairly vague, but they do state that applicants must be going through a therapy program and clearly work towards good grades in their academic work. All application materials must be received no later than February 6.

Another scholarship for CF is offered by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation known as the Exercise for Life Scholarship which provides two different awards each year to a male and female student. This program works towards seeing young people afflicted with CF living healthy lives and working towards maintaining their health through exercise. Applicants will need to be a high school senior who has been formally diagnosed with CF who can demonstrate strong academic work. All applicants will need to be able to show leadership qualities, work through community service organizations, a need for aid and a dedication to their physical therapy regiment. Materials for this CF scholarship are due no later than June 20.

Considering the many different disability scholarships for having cystic fibrosis available to interested students, the Bonnie Strangio Education program is yet another clear example of the aid available. They provide a single $2,500 award to a selected student every year. Applications will need to be going to school at either the undergraduate or graduate level that has shown a strong dedication in finding a cure or preventing CF. The annual deadline is June 20.

Artists living with CF have a chance to win a cystic fibrosis scholarship through the Cystic Fibrosis Scholarship of the Arts. This program provides an unspecified amount to a varying number of students who are able to submit a compelling piece of work which communicates issues regarding CF through an artistic means be it video, drawing, paintings or sculptures. Applicants will need to have their piece of art completed for submission no later than May 16.

Hydrocephalus Scholarships for Disabled Students

hydrocephalus-scholarships

Hydrocephalus Scholarships

Hydrocephalus scholarships for disabled students are normally designed for those people either living with the condition, their families, or those going to school specifically to study the topic. While there are a number of organizations or groups both nationally and locally which offer hydrocephalus scholarships one of the biggest organizations within the United States which offer these programs is the Hydrocephalus Association. This organization works for on advocacy, support and general community building. As a member of the National Health Council the organization is part of a nationwide group which represented over 100 million different people. On its own the Hydrocephalus Association gives out six different scholarships for hydrocephalus every year and represents the best bet for many students to get access to financial aid. Students in Canada should be aware that there are a number of options available for them as well depending on the province in which they live.

*Hydrocephalusa is a medical condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of water or Cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles, or the cavities of the brain. It is known in laymans terms as ‘water on the brain’.

Generally speaking students interested in getting a hydrocephalus scholarship from the Hydrocephalus Association will need to fall under their singular eligibility requirements. Students interested in these programs will need to be preparing to attend a four year university, trade school, or post graduate program while being 17 years of age or older. Funds from these hydrocephalus scholarships may be used for anything relating to education including books, exam fees, or other various costs. All of the programs award at least one scholarship every year in the amount of $500. Applications are not made available online and students interested in applying to a scholarship program will need to be living with hydrocephalus as an active condition in their life. While the 2011 cycle has come to a close, students should pay attention to the website for more information and upcoming deadlines when they are announced.

As of 2009, there are six different hydrocephalus scholarships available from the Hydrocephalus Association. The Gerard Swartz Fudge, Morris L. and Rebecca Ziskin, and Anthony Abbese hydrocephalus scholarships each provide two different awards of $500 a piece. The Justin Scot Alston, Mario J. Tosco and Giavanna Marie Melomo hydrocephalus scholarship provide only a single award each year. Many of these hydrocephalus scholarships are memorial programs, designed not only to provide funding but also to help remember the people who have died while suffering under hydrocephalus. Unfortunately there do not appear to be many other hydrocephalus scholarships for disabled students available in the united states though students will likely have a good amount of luck applying for disability scholarships available in greater numbers.

It is worth noting that American Association on Health and Disability provides a scholarship every year for students going into a program to study disabilities with an interest in a career within the disability field. While not necessarily a hydrocephalus scholarship, the Hydrocephalus Association does link the program at the bottom of their website for interested students. Students can receive up to $1,000 in assistance while being a United States citizen and preparing to major in either disability studies or a health related field. All applicants will need to be enrolled in either undergraduate or post-graduate study. While the 2011-2012 cycle has closed, students are encourage to check in with the website for the next academic year’s application.

Students in Canada have a few options for a hydrocephalus scholarship depending on where they live in the country. As an example the Dr. E. Bruce Hendrick Scholarship is given out to a varying number of students with hydrocephalus every year. This particular program is limited to students who are residents of Ontario but may be applied to any accredited school or university. All applications are due April 29 of every year. In a similar vein to the above program, the Luciana Spring Mascarin hydrocephalus scholarship for disabled students gives out varying number of different awards every year. Eligibility for this scholarship for having hydrocephalus requires that students be citizens of Windsor, Essex, or Chatham-Kent while preparing to head off to any college. The deadline for this program is March 31.

Professional Disability Studies Scholarships

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Disability Studies Scholarships

Professional disability studies scholarships are available largely to students who are planning to make a career out of working for those with debilitating physical or mental conditions. There are a number of national organizations which offer professional disability studies scholarships and a number of colleges offer similar awards through their own programs. Students who are interested in getting access to disability studies scholarships should look both at these national programs and then consult with their universities applicable department to get a more complete listing of programs which they may be able to apply to.

It is important to know that professional disability studies scholarships are available for a wide array of disability oriented studies, and that students entering the field have a wide range of things they may study or professionally become involved in. There are programs for working with the blind, deaf, and those people who may be handicapped in other ways. Beyond these programs there are also very common professional disability studies scholarships available for students who are working at the graduate level looking to enter the field at the masters or PhD level, or working actively to expand scholarly understanding regarding disabilities. In the end, students should be more than able to find programs to apply to which fit their needs.

The American Association on Health and Disabilities (AAHD) provides professional disability scholarships every year to deserving students in the field. This program provides a varying number of $1,000 scholarships depending on both the number of chosen applicants and the amount of funds available in a given academic year. In order to be eligible for this disability studies scholarship students will need to be studying at either the undergraduate or graduate levels while going to school full time. All applicants will need to have a formally diagnosed disability, be a United States citizen and be studying health, disability studies, or a related field. Application materials must be received no later than November 15, 2011.

Another good source of financial aid with regards to professional disabilities studies scholarships would be the Sertoma Communicative Disorders Scholarship. This annual program awards varying number of $1,000 awards to students depending on availability of funds from year to year. Students will be eligible for this professional disability studies scholarship if they are US citizens, be accepted into a graduate program and have at least a 3.2 grade point average for their undergraduate or graduate course work. The deadline for this program is March 30.

Not all professional disabilities study scholarships are available nationally or even to all people. The Bethesda Lutheran Communities Scholarship is a great example of an organization which limits its scholarships to members. This organization provides three different professional disability studies scholarships all of which award differing amounts of money. The highest award they give out comes from an unnamed program which rewards $3,000 for up to two different students every year. All applicants will need to be members of Bethesda Lutheran Communities, be at least a sophomore in college, and have maintained at least a 3.0 gpa while in college. Applicants will also need to be entering the field of professional disability studies. The deadline for this program is April 15 of every year. Another program provides two $500 professional disability studies scholarships to high school students who are interested in the field of disability studies. These students will need to be high school seniors, have at least a 3.0 gpa, and have interest in a career in disability work.

Looking at other membership-only professional disability studies scholarships, an organization known as Jobs Daughters provides such a program every year. This program awards multiple $1,500 scholarships to selected students who are working towards a degree in dentistry with some formal training regarding handicapped individuals. Students will need to have high scholastic marks, be actively involved in the organization, and have a clear dedication to participating in events outside of Jobs Daughters. All applications will also need to show financial need. Applications for these disability studies scholarships are due no later than August 1, 2011.

Special Education Scholarships for the Disabled

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Special Education Scholarships

Special education scholarships for the disabled are provided by New York State Association for Retarded Children (NYSARC), Incorporated which was established in 1949 as a non-profit bent on working towards a better future for all students with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The organization has an incredible presence throughout the state of New York and actively works to not only petition legislators for equal rights regarding the developmentally disabled but also within communities to enhance the rights of local persons who may need their assistance. To this end, special education scholarships for disabled students by NYSARC exist as an attempt to give the developmentally disabled access to financial aid for college programs. This purpose works both towards the group’s goals regarding equality for the developmentally disabled but also towards bridging gaps in education funding which may be difficult to close for students living with various disabilities affecting mental ability.

Apart from working towards legislative and educational ends, NYSARC also serves as a community resource for parents of developmentally disabled children by being able to answer questions, provide support, and operate as a common community through which parents may connect with one another. The disability scholarships for special education by NYSARC are a part of these resources and are provided as part of the general operating mission of the group.

There are four different kinds of NYSARC scholarships available to disabled students who are interested in higher education. These are the Jonathon Weingold, Joseph T. Weingold, James F. Reville, and Arthur W. Pense Scholarships. Each of these NYSARC special education scholarships for the disabled are nomination-only and basically require that students be members of the organization in order to get a chance to be awarded a scholarship. While all provided by NYSARC, Inc, the above programs all focus on specific things. The Jonathon Weingold Scholarship provides financial assistance for employees of the organization. The Joseph T. Weingold award gives out disabilities scholarships to students going to school for special education learning. James F. Reville special education scholarships give out awards to those students going to school to study intellectual disabilities and how to work with those students with such disabilities. Arthur W. Pense rewards go to students who are studying the field of occupational therapy. As what each NYSARC disability scholarship provides money varies, so too does the amount awarded and eligibility requirements.

Students interested in the Jonathon Weingold NYSARC scholarship will need to be employees of the organization. Awards may only be used at New York State universities and comes in the amount of $3,000 which is paid out at $750 per semester over four years. All applications will need to be received no later than January 9, 2012.

Joseph T. Weingold NYSARC scholarships for disabled students are given out every year in the amount of $3,000 and, like the Jonathon Weingold program, are paid out every semester to the tune of $750 over four years. All students will need to be planning to or currently attending a college in New York state and be studying to end up in the field of special education. The deadline of this program is December 1, 2011.

Applicants going to school at any level and studying a field relating to intellectual or developmental disabilities may be nominated for the NYSARC scholarship. This program gives out $3,000 paid out over four years during every semester in the amount of $750. Applications must be received no later than January 9, 2012.

Arthur W. Pense NYSARC scholarships are give out to students who are studying in an occupational therapy program at a New York state university. Applicants who are involved in the field work portion of their program are still eligible to be nominated. This particular program also awards $3,000 but instead of paying out in installments of $750 it gives out $1,000 per semester for up to three terms. The application deadline for this program is December 1, 2011.

It is important to know that while students may be nominated for all four NYSARC special education scholarships for disabled students, they can only be awarded one of them. Students do not appear to need to be active members of NYSARC in order to be nominated, but they must be actively working to assist those with developmental disabilities.

Disability Scholarships for Cancer Survivors

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Cancer Survivor Scholarships

There are many different disability scholarships for cancer survivors available to students who are currently living with some form of cancer, have been cured of the disease, or have fought it into remission. Such programs are available at multiple levels from national cancer disability scholarships to those offered on the regional or local level as well. Students who have lived through or are living with cancer should sincerely consider cancer survivor scholarships as they represent a good chance to get access to disability scholarship money. Programs that focus on kids growing up with cancer are generally focused on the strength shown by individuals as they fight the disease, in all hopes finally triumphing over it in the end. Applications to cancer survivor scholarships should highlight these struggles in in the best light they can.

With the sheer amount of scholarships for cancer survivors available to students it should not be difficult for a student living with cancer to find a program which suits them. One such cancer disability scholarship comes from Cancer for College scholarship program. The Cancer for College scholarship provides at most $4,000 and at least $250 to those selected to receive an award. Based in California, students going to school in the state receive first priority in being considered for an award. However all students who are attending an accredited university may apply to the program. All applicants must be a United States citizen, be a current cancer patient or survivor and be attending school in the United States. Applications open every year in October and must be submitted by a deadline announced sometime before July.

Another cancer survivor scholarship comes from the Ryan Mullaly Second Chance Fund. This program provides $1,000 to a varying number of winners every year. In order to be eligible for this program students will need to be residents of the United States, be diagnosed with lymphoma during high school, have been involved in cancer therapy programs, currently be graduating from high school and be preparing to head off to an accredited two or four year college program. All application materials are due no later than May 31.

The Working Against Cancer group provides several disability scholarships for cancer survivors from $500 to $1,000. This cancer disability scholarship is awarded to California residents who are cancer survivors either currently in treatment or had previously gone through a therapy program. Applications are posted in May through June and all applicants must be under the age of 30 in order to be considered for the program.

Amongst the many different cancer survivor scholarships available to interested students, the Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation provides a program of its own. This cancer disability scholarship gives out a single $5,000 scholarship every year to a winning student, and unspecified smaller awards are given out to runner ups. Operating as an essay contest, the Andre Sobel program looks for students graduating from high school who have a story to share regarding their struggle with cancer. The essay topic revolves around what a cancer survivor looked for in others while they were living through their condition – how their relationships changed, what things helped them get through their struggle. Application materials for this program are due no later than April 29.

The Patty Feist Undergraduate Cancer Scholarship is for survivors of childhood cancer who will be attending the University of Colorado in Boulder. This cancer scholarship takes place in the spring every year so apply eary. You must go to the University of Colorado’s financial aid department to inquire and the deadline is March 1st. If you ‘ve survived cancer up until 21 years of age then you qualify to apply. There is a 1000 word essay and the award is $2,500 given out to 3 students who show a passion towards learning and a zeal about their goals. Patty owns and operates a great resource website for parents whose children have had cancer at http://www.ped-onc.org/ and she is personally sponsoring this scholarship for cancer survivors.

Not every disability scholarship for cancer can be covered in this article, but on a final note the Friends of Scott Scholarship program is worth mentioning. A varying number of handicapped scholarships will be awarded every year and in 2010 three winners were selected for scholarships which varied in amounts rewarded. Eligibility for this program revolves around being a cancer survivor or living through current treatment. All applicants must be enrolled in college and get a letter from their physician verifying their medical history. Applications must be received no later than May 1. The disability scholarships for cancer survivors listed here are only the tip of the iceberg and students interested in them should look around a bit for additional programs.

Chronic Illness Scholarships for Disabilities

Chronic Illness scholarshipsChronic Illness scholarships for disabilities are available to students who are interested in getting degrees through institutions of high learning but are also living with chronic diseases. The programs designed for this purpose are very often inspired under the hope that by providing some financial assistance students with chronic diseases will be able to better attend school with fewer worries on their minds. Students who have lived their entire lives with a disease, or some portion of a recurring and debilitating illness, have often struggled quite enough as it is. By relieving the financial burden of higher education costs their lives are in all hopes made a little easier.

Such illness scholarships are provided at many different levels – nationally in some instances by large non-profits and regionally by colleges or groups with more local mandates. Those students who have lived their lives with a chronic illness should consider these programs. However, interested students should know that not all programs are designed with all diseases in mind, and they should look over eligibility requirements to make sure that the chronic illness scholarship they are interested in does in fact apply to them.

Amongst the organizations which provide chronic illness scholarships, the Foundation for Science and Disability gives out multiple $1,000 awards every year. This particular illness scholarship is specifically offered to graduate students looking to continue their education. All applicants must be studying a STEM course (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and must also be citizens of the United States. Applicants should also be suffering from a disability for chronic illness which otherwise incapacitates them. The deadline for this program is December 1.

The Incight Education program provides a varying number of scholarships every year which range from $750 to $1,000. This program is limited to students who are suffering from a chronic condition which is debilitating. While the number of recipients varies, in 2010 over 80 different students received awards from the organization. There are very few eligibility requirements for this program outside of having a documented chronic disability and attending school full time. Deadlines for future academic cycles will be posted on the Incight website, so students should pay attention and stay tuned. Interesting to note about this program is the potential of going to a “matching” partner school. This illness scholarship allows students who are attending specific schools to have their award amount matched by the institution they are attending. Students interested in this option should review the schools which participate in the matching program.

Not all chronic illness scholarships for disabilities are available only through these nationally oriented programs. Many different universities provide their own illness scholarships which students should be interested in considering. Those students interested in finding chronic illness scholarships at their own academic institution should consider checking with their local office of Continuing Education or Department of Financial Aid. The Timothy Weise Memorial Scholarship is a good example of such a program available at San Francisco State University. The award amount given out by this program is $600. All applicants will need to have at least a 2.5 grade point average, have a financial need as shown by their FAFSA filing, and be registered with the school’s Office of Disability Resources. Students who are enrolled in a graduate program at San Francisco State University will be able to apply for this illness scholarship as well but must maintain a 3.0 grade point average.

Chronic illness scholarships largely focus around those conditions which cause debilitating effects in their victims. Not all programs are equal, but all provide something which a student will be able to use. Students who are suffering from exceptional disabilities should also consider making use of equipment scholarships which are also offered by many organizations or schools which help provide assistance for equipment an individual may need to make their student experience better in the long run. Students should find that organizations and schools offering illness scholarships are genuinely interested in providing them the support they need to have a successful run in their chosen college, and interested applicants should consider all available options at their disposal.

Paralyzed Veterans of America Scholarships

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Paralyzed Veterans of America Scholarships

Paralyzed Veterans of America scholarships are provided by a nationally recognized non-profit organization of the same name. The organization works not only to provide disabled veterans scholarships but also with various other services to work towards making disabled veterans’ lives better in various ways. Whether working towards job opportunities, post injury activities, educating members or providing the Paralyzed Veterans of America scholarships, the group does what it can where it can.

Originally started in 1986, the scholarship program has served a large number of disabled veterans over time having given out at least $300,000 in award money since then. Every year the program runs making available financial aid to those who need the assistance and are member of the organization. That last part is really key here – in order to get access to a Paralyzed Veterans of America scholarship applicants must be members of the organization. While getting access to the scholarship is certainly a good reason to join the organization, PVA also provides services and assistance in other forms as well. If a student is disabled due to an injury sustained during active duty, this is a great group to not only get support from others in the same situation but also to get other forms of assistance as well.

The Paralyzed Veterans of America scholarship comes in a single form working to help not only members but also their families. In order to be eligible to receive funding from the PVA for financial assistance towards school, applicants will need to be a member of the PVA or an immediate family member of the organization. All applicants will need to be United States citizens and be enrolled full or part time at an accredited college in the US. Those who have previously won an award through the Paralyzed Veterans of America scholarship are encouraged to apply again.

Winners of the award will receive $500 if they attend school part time and full time students will receive the full amount of $1,000. Largely a merit based scholarship, Paralyzed Veterans of America scholarships are reviewed to ensure that applications are complete and then weighed on a number of various factors. Amongst these factors are the personal statement, previous academic history, letters of recommendation and activities outside of studies such as sports, club or community volunteer work. An entire section in the application applies specifically to experiential activities. This area should focus on what a student has done with their lives up to that point – what extracurricular activities have they been involved in, what work or volunteer experiences do they have? These two sections in particular can really be used to an applicant’s advantage to show not only dedication to continuing life as normal and getting over their disability but also that they have a clear drive to not only succeed but also to help others along the way. Being a non-profit volunteer assisted organization itself, this would also be a good place to add volunteer activities relating directly to the PVA. Since the Paralyzed Veterans of America scholarship is so strongly merit based, it could certainly never hurt an applicant to have been directly involved in the organization giving out awards.

It is important to remember that, as a merit based program, Paralyzed Veterans of America scholarships are going to have some pretty decent competition. Though the PVA does not list their numbers directly anywhere, on average somewhere around 16 different students receive awards every year. While certainly award amounts have changed over time and various other criteria along with it, it should be pretty clear that a large number of applicants apply for the program every year and of them the PVA, while being able to cover many students, will not be able to cover them all. It will be important to take the application process seriously and ensure that everything included in the application package displays the best of the best an applicant has to offer.

Handicapped Scholarships for Disabled Students

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Handicapped Scholarships

As physical and mental handicaps come in many different forms, handicapped scholarships for disabled students are designed around the variability inherent in the category of disabilities. Students who may be blind, deaf, or physically disabled will be able to find scholarships to help them fill their financial needs based on their handicap. In order to better locate scholarships for handicapped students which will meet individual criteria, seekers should be able to identify which form of disability they have.

In many cases handicapped scholarships are segmented into individual types, so knowing which disability an individual has will allow for a more successful search. On top of nationally available handicap scholarships students should always stop by their local financial aid office to see what scholarships or grants may be available through the specific college. It is not uncommon for colleges to receive grant money from the federal level or from private foundations dedicated to making financial aid available to students. If all of these options do not pan out, students with disabilities can often fall back on government grants or social security disability education benefits which are designed to help defray the costs of higher learning. In combination with all of these options, students with disabilities should be able to find the necessary financial aid they need for school. Though the process is not always simple, tenacity will find a student funded well enough that in all hopes should any gap remain it will be relatively small.

Students with a general physical or mental handicap should check in with the Mays Mission for the Handicapped and consider them as a potential source for a handicapped scholarship. Every year the Mays Mission gives out up to seven handicapped scholarships to needy students in the form of a stipend. The amount varies student to student and is not specified by the organization. In order to qualify for a Mays Mission handicapped scholarship students must be able to officially document a handicap or disability, be a resident of the Unites States, score 18 or better on the ACT, be enrolled in a four year college program and be actively working towards a degree. On top of these initial requirements, the Mays Mission requires that every semester students provide proof of full time enrollment, submit grades while maintaining a grade point average of at least 2.3 and compose a letter which updates the Mays group with a status of the student’s life. While it is not stipulated directly, the wording of the requirements suggests that stipends operate in an ongoing basis so long as minimum qualifications are maintained. The deadline for the Mays Mission scholarship is June 30.

Students who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as those who are blind, have several options available to them in terms of a handicapped scholarship as well apart from relying solely on social security benefits or government grants. The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) provides a series of deaf scholarships through a number of private foundations, the most prominent of which is the William C. Stokoe Foundation. This foundation provides a single $1,000 handicapped scholarship to students who can verify that they are either deaf or hard of hearing of any major or program. Applications for this hard of hearing scholarship are due no later than March 15 of every year and for more information, students should contact NAD directly.

For blind students, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) offers 30 blind scholarships every year of anywhere from $3,000 to $12,000 to winning applicants. Interested students must be able to show legal documentation regarding their blindness, be a resident of the United States, planning to or currently are enrolled in an institution of higher education and be a participant in NFD scheduled events. Those applicants whom are awarded with these handicapped scholarships for disabled students will also receive separate assistance to help them attend the NFB annual conference in July, allowing them to network with publicly active blind persons. The deadline for the NFB scholarship is March 31, 2011.

Disability Scholarships for Depression

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Scholarships for Depression

While it is often said that there are scholarships for almost all types of people, conditions or situations, this bit of hyperbole is not always entirely true. For example, scholarships for depression, which do exist in some forms here or there, are not as readily available as say disability scholarships for other mental disorders. This could be for a number of reasons, but amongst them is that depression is incredibly wide spread, difficult to diagnose, and more or less a subjective experience than it makes it a situation in which exact numbers cannot applied to.

That being said, there are in fact a number of depression scholarships available to those students who can show medical evidence of depression, often in the form of bipolar disorder or other depression types which are chronic and verifiable. These would be a form of bipolar scholarships.

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) offers some disabled scholarships themselves, but with regards to finding additional funding provides a handy checklist where students should also check should they not get an award from the DBSA. DBSA suggests that students looking for depression scholarships contact their state’s Department of Mental Health, which is sometimes packed in with the Department of Human Services, and attempt to ascertain whether or not funds have been allocated for assistance to formally diagnosed patients with depression in the form of financial aid for education. There are also support groups in many areas which may supply additional funding for students who may be involved in the organization or are just an active person in their circles. In many cases vocational rehabilitation agencies may have funding available which they provide, and students should always check in with any groups which provide financial assistance to people with disabilities for which depression is often considered.

Churches or even local chapters of the National Alliance on Mental Illness may be able to give aid as well, so students should always be sure to check in on these sources.

Many of the funds available for depression scholarships for disabilities will come from regional or local sources such as the Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH). This agency provides depression scholarships for students who attend workshops or conferences to enhance their leadership skills and are interested in helping the overall depression community in advocacy. Their Technical Assistance award provides varying amounts for students who are interested in moving on beyond advocacy, self help programs or support groups, giving money for leadership development and mental health education. Interested students will need to submit a plan indicating what they are trying to accomplish, whether the people involved are capable of helping them meet their goals and whether or not the amount requested is within reason for the application of funds. It is important to note that this program is not solely available for educational purposes, so students interested in applying a Technical Assistance depression scholarship to their schooling should request relatively small amounts while rationalizing carefully why they need the assistance. The deadline for this program is not a static date and applicants should fill out the forms at their convenience but long before school starts.

Students who may not be depressed but are interested in researching the topic and expand knowledge regarding depression will have scholarships available to them as well. There are a number of research oriented depression scholarships available for these students, and interested applicants should certainly look into them very carefully. The National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression Young Investigator Award offers up to $30,000 a year for up to two years worth of research, aimed at graduate students interested in conducting research on depression. All research must be relevant to bipolar disease, borderline disorders, depression, and suicide or involve research with children. The deadline for this scholarship for depression is July 25 of every year and interested applicants should contact the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression for more information and an application.

Though widespread depression may be, scholarships for depression are sorely lacking in many cases. There are a number of such programs available for researchers on the topic, or for specific types of depression such as bipolar disorder. If a student is able to specify which type of depression they may have then they are more likely to identify scholarships related to the disorder.

Scholarships for Diabetics

scholarships-for-diabetics

Diabetes Scholarships

Disability scholarships for diabetics are available for those students who live with diabetes in its various forms. Though some programs are only going to be available for students with certain types of diabetes, a little bit of searching should help anybody find access to a number of programs to which they can apply. Diabetes itself can be a terrible affliction to live with and the problems it causes in an individual’s life can result in a harder time achieving goals or even going on from one day to another. Those students who have the drive to go on to college in spite of their condition and succeed in their lives should absolutely consider applying for these programs.

Like many programs which exist to assist those living with a physical condition many diabetes scholarships are going to be looking for those students who live beyond their disease, refusing to be held back by what can at times be debilitating. Students interested in these diabetic scholarships will pleased to know that not only are there national offerings available but also that, depending on their location or school of choice, there will possibly be programs at a more regional level. In order to fully maximize their chances of getting a diabetes scholarship students should apply to every program they can get their hands on for which they are eligible.

The Diabetes Scholars Foundation provides several scholarships for diabetics every year in varying number and financial yield. Each of the programs made available by the foundation share the same eligibility requirements and application meaning that students interested in these diabetes scholarships need only submit a single form in order to apply. There are ten different diabetic scholarships ranging in award amounts from $1,000 to $5,000 given to 15 different students based on individual criteria. Some of these programs are available only to students from Michigan or Ohio and another one is related to athletics. In order to be eligible for any of these scholarships for diabetes students must be formally diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and be preparing to attend school at a four year institution. All applicants must be United States citizens, been a volunteer for diabetes advocacy activities, demonstrate strong academic results, be involved in extracurricular activities, and receive an endorsement from a physician. All application materials must be received no later than May 15, 2011 in order to be considered.

Another diabetes scholarship comes from the Diabetes Hope Foundation which has for several years provided financial assistance to needy students with the condition. This scholarship for diabetics is only open to those applicants who are residents of Ontario, Canada who were born between 1992 and 1993. All applicants must be preparing to enter their first year of college and have either types 1 or 2 diabetes. Beyond this students must have regular checkups regarding their condition and be able to obtain a letter of endorsement from a physician. Though the amount is not specified and varies depending on applicable cases, the deadline for this disability scholarship is March 7 of every year.

Young athletes who play tennis and have a form of diabetes may be eligible for a diabetes scholarship from Novo Nordisk and Billie Jean King. Two awards of $5,000 are given by the organization. All applicants must be formally diagnosed with a type of diabetes and have lived with it since childhood. Applicants must be between 12 to 21 years of age and play tennis competitively for either their school or in tournaments. The deadline for this diabetes scholarship is April 15, 2011.

It should be clear that there are a number of scholarships for diabetics from students of many walks of life with different forms of the disease. Most important in applying for these disability scholarships are making sure that the type of diabetes covered by the program is accepted by the giving organization as an accepted condition. Students would be wise to look beyond these diabetes scholarships as there are many more available and applying to as many programs as possible will always maximize a student’s potential for aid.

MS Scholarships for Disability Students

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MS Scholarships

Fortunately an incredibly supportive multiple sclerosis community exists at both national and regional levels which provide MS scholarships for disability students who meet specific eligibility requirements. Living with a disease like multiple sclerosis can be incredibly difficult. This becomes no less true for those living with MS who are also going to school. While this does not inherently make the disease any more difficult to handle it does make going to school sometimes hard, especially for those students in an advanced stage of the disease in which their primary motor skills have been compromised. Looking for financial support for school adds yet another burden to the lives of those living with MS.

While certainly not being able to provide an multiple sclerosis scholarship to every student interested in receiving financial aid, the availability of such programs is fairly wide spread. Students who are seeking an MS college scholarship should always check with their college’s financial aid and disability services departments as there are many instances in which universities offer MS scholarships to disabled students with the disease attending that specific institution. Beyond these options students with a particular zeal should consider approaching local charitable organizations such as the Lion’s Club or Moose Lodges and speak with somebody regarding their medical condition asking if there is any funding available locally for students with severe medical issues.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) provides many multiple sclerosis scholarships for disability college students annually; in 2010 giving almost one million dollars total to 470 students. This national MS society scholarship awards at a minimum $1,000 and at max $3,000, determined by financial need qualifiers and other merit based factors.

In order to be eligible for the NMSS Scholarship for multiple sclerosis students must currently be high school seniors either with MS themselves for with parents who are living with the condition. All applicants must be United States residents and planning to enroll in an accredited US college. In order to receive the award after enrollment in a college, students must maintain at least 6 credit hours during the semester in which the scholarship is applied. These MS scholarships may be reapplied for so long as students are in school and are maintaining their minimum requirements in order to qualify for an award. The deadline for this scholarship is in mid-January and opens every year in October. Though the 2011 awards have already been given out, students should check in during October to check on 2012’s deadline.

Another available MS scholarship, offered for students attending Northern Arizona University, is the Emily Marie Benson Memorial Scholarship. This multiple sclerosis scholarship provides $10,000 to help cover tuition, various school costs, housing expenses, and should any money be left after these expenses are covered, extra cash for recipients. In order to be eligible for this MS scholarship interested students must be US citizens. All applicants must have a serious medical condition and provide a resume including personal activities, awards, talents or other information believed to be important. An essay must be submitted describing students are able to work through their medical condition overcoming personal challenges and meeting goals. A letter of recommendation must be obtained from a teacher and a second letter should come from an applicant’s current physician. Applicants interested in this disabled scholarship should fill out their Northern Arizona University financial aid and scholarship forms, submitting additional information regarding their medical condition. When these forms are submitted they will automatically be enrolled for a chance to get the Emily Marie Benson Memorial Scholarship for MS.

Between national, local, and college MS scholarships, students living with MS should be able to find a fair amount of potential funding for their education. These scholarships for MS are competitive and are certainly not available to everybody. In order to better maximize their chances students should start their application process early and be sure to indicate what they have done with their lives to date despite their medical condition. This latter point is very important – these groups want to hear how students have overcome their disability, and the more any applicant can show that they have done this, the better their chances.

Disabled Veteran Scholarships

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Disabled Veteran Scholarships

There are specific disabled veteran scholarships for those students who served in the US military and are worth looking into because the biggest critera has already been met – served, disabled and now a former Vet. Being a soldier and coming back from a conflict can be stressful for many people as they work at reintegrating into the private sector. Many veterans decide to head off to school pursuing a degree in higher education. While this can be a difficult adjustment for these soldiers it is often more difficult for those who have been discharged honorably from the military because of disabilities received during the course of their military service.

Scholarships for disabled veterans exist for those students in just such a circumstance, having been hurt while performing duties and now looking to attend school so that they may make a smoother transition from military service to non-military work. There are many resources available which offer disabled veteran scholarships and interested students should be able to find much of the financial aid they may need.

Apart from looking towards the Federal Veterans Administration for financial assistance and other non-profit national organizations, many disabled veterans will be able to look towards local veteran’s lodges for additional funding. While not all veteran’s lodges offer such Vet scholarships, many do or, if they do not, will be able to direct their members towards other sources which will be able to assist them. Of course it is always a good idea for disabled veterans to check in with their local office of financial aid as it is very common for universities to either offer themselves or have listed a number of disabled veterans scholarships which will be available to interested students.

There are many national organizations which offer scholarships for disabled veterans, and one such group is the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA). The AFCEA has recently begun providing the Disabled War Veterans Scholarship which provides multiple $2,500 scholarships to selected individuals. In order to be eligible for this Vet scholarship interested students must currently be enrolled an accredited institution at the freshman to senior levels of schooling. Students will need to be studying in a particular field including but not limited to electrical systems, aerospace, computer engineering, networking, and physics. All applicants will need to provide two letters of recommendation one being from a teacher and another from a current employer or public agency. Transcripts of an applicant’s academic history will need to be provided. This veteran scholarship is only available to those students who are currently active duty military personnel, honorably discharged United States veterans, reservists and those soldiers who have been disabled because of sustaining an injury from active-duty combat in either Operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom. The deadline for this scholarship is April 1, 2011.

Members of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) group, a nationally recognized non-profit organization, will be eligible to apply for the Auxiliary National Education Scholarship Fund which provides several $1,500 disabled veteran scholarships every year. Being a DAV member is a prerequisite to gaining access to this Vet scholarship and, while renewals are not guaranteed, members can reapply for this scholarship up to five times in subsequent semesters. Interested students must be attending school at least part time and have a 2.5 grade point average in order to qualify for the full $1,500. Those students attending school for at least six credit hours are eligible for the same scholarship but the amount is reduced to $750. All applicants must be attending a university in the United States. Leadership and commitment to education will be used to help determine who will receive awards each year and the application has a space dedicated to clubs, extracurricular activities and volunteer opportunities applicants have been involved in. These spaces would wisely be used to indicate both a capacity for leadership and a sincere interest in pursuing a student’s current academic goals. A financial assessment will also be carried out on the application making financial need a measure by which the selection committee may assign this disabled veterans scholarship’s awards.

The deadline for the DAV Auxiliary Scholarship is March 15, 2011. While this disabled Vet scholarship is certainly a good source of funds, disabled veteran scholarships exist on multiple levels and students who are not members of DAV but are still in need of financial assistance would be wise to investigate many options especially at the local or college level.

Scholarships for Students with Disabled Parents

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Disabled Parents Scholarships

Many times students who have one or more parents or guardians who suffer from a disability have a more difficult time affording college because of the likelihood that the family’s earning potential is also likely debilitated. To help students who find themselves in this particular situation, a few organizations fund scholarships for students with disabled parents and who have at least one parent with a disability.

There are not many general parent disability scholarships, but an excellent place to search for scholarships specific to a particular disability is disabilityscholarships.us. They have compiled scholarships on a number of physical and mental disabilities, from ADD to Cystic Fibrosis to Spina Bifida. The site will provide names of the scholarships as well as the amount offered and will give a brief overview of the award. This way you can look through a number of scholarships and jot down those which seem most promising to look up later. Most others not found their can easily be found with the title and any search engine, though.

Through the Looking Glass is the National Center for Parents with Disabilities and their Families and this organization funds several $1,000 disabled parents scholarships yearly for students pursuing higher education. The 2011 deadline is March 1 and next year’s fund will determine the scholarships able to be awarded for the 2011-2012 school year.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society funded approximately $1 million in scholarships awarded to 470 students whose lives have been directly or indirectly affected by MS. These disabled Scholarships generally range from $1,000 to $3,000, although a few may exceed this amount. The scholarship application period closes in mid-January they are awarded usually in April to college freshmen and are one time scholarships for disabled students only. Information for 2012 scholarships will be available in Oct. 2011.

Veterans of any branch of the US Military have paid a high cost for our country and its citizens. One way to support these individuals and their families is through educational scholarships. The Paralyzed Veterans of America has disabled parents scholarships and offer $500 scholarships to part-time college students and $1,000 to full-time students that are Paralyzed Veterans members, spouses or dependent, unmarried children under the age of 24. Applications for the 20011-2012 school year must be submitted online by June 17, 2011

The Kathern F. Gruber Scholarship is affiliated with The Blinded Veterans Association, because Gruber was one of its pioneer members. Spouses or children of a blinded veteran are eligible for the scholarships. It is a one year scholarship but can be reapplied for and awarded up to four times to an eligible student. The blinded member of the family need not be a BVA member for an applicant to receive the award. Applications for the six $2,000 awards for the 2011-2012 school years must be received by Friday April 15, 2011.

Another scholarship available to children of wounded, deceased or missing servicemen and women is from the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund. The amount available for award yearly is dependent on donations, but hundreds of disabled scholarships have been awarded to the children of faithful service people since 1989. Students receiving an initial disability scholarship may be eligible for its renewal for up to four total years, as long as the student meets eligibility requirements such as a 2.0 GPA. The deadline for the 2011-2012 school years is June 30, 2011.

There are also several scholarships for students with disabled parents available to children who lost a parent or whose parent became disabled as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The Families of Freedom Scholarship is offered to such a student attending Columbia Basin College. The $20,000 Glenn D. Kirwin September 11th Fund is awarded to a junior or senior student at the University of Virginia, with special consideration given to children whose parents were a victim of Sept. 11.

There are professional disability studies scholarships available directed at students who are planning to make a career out of working for those with mental or physical disabilities. There are a few national organizations offering disabled studies scholarships and many colleges offering similar awards through their own college programs. There is a vast number of disabilities in which you can plan a field of study on while attending college so this may be well worth investigating.

There are many things that can be considered a disability. Severe illness is not often considered a disability but it can be as devastating and detrimental to the financial and emotional status of a family. Where there are few general disability scholarships, there are many more general scholarships for life-threatening illness, like cancer. If you have a parent who suffers from a disability, you might want to also check some of the requirements for illness scholarships, as your circumstance may fit some of those general eligibility requirements. A good place to start for a listing and general description is the disabilityscholarships.us site.

LIFE Scholarship for Lupus

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Life Scholarship for Lupus

The Life Scholarship for Lupus as offered by the Lupus Inspiration Foundation for Excellence (LIFE) provides financial assistance to those disability students who are living under the condition of having had lupus, which often does interrupt the normal course of their lives. It’s one of the few Lupus scholarships for disabilities offered today. When suffering from a condition which threatens life and limb, it can be very easy for education to quickly become a second priority. This is often the case for students who are suffering from lupus, a disease which affects the body’s organs and can result in death if not treated appropriately.

The LIFE scholarships overall goal is to help those with lupus take a small load off of their mind as living with a life threatening condition can add an incredible amount of stress to a person’s life. I’t one of the few lupus scholarships offered today. Additional financial burdens brought on by trying to afford higher education can affect the quality of an individual’s life in many ways and by bringing in financial assistance the hope is that those with lupus will have a little less on their minds.

Founded in 2001, LIFE has worked to promote not only awareness of the condition but also to provide financial assistance to students with the disease. Lupus itself affects over a million Americans, making it a fairly wide spread condition, and though affects both men and women has shown to be prevalent in older women. It is important for those who are suffering a number of possible symptoms to get checked out by a physician as soon as possible.

LIFE SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS
While generally affecting more women than men, the Life disability scholarship for Lupus is open to all students interested in finding additional funding for their higher education goals. At the very least one student will be awarded with the $500 Life Lupus Scholarship each year and the money will be applied to the college the applicant is currently enrolled at or attending. Students must be attending their chosen college at least part time or have no fewer than six credit hours in a given semester while maintaining a 3.0 grade point average at a minimum.

Further, interested applicants must be actively participating in one extracurricular activity including but not limited to student clubs, community organizations and jobs. All applicants will have to get a letter from their physician verifying that they have lupus and provide a transcript from the last semester of school they attended. A letter of recommendation from somebody actively involved in the applicant’s education must be obtained and an essay of no more than 500 words regarding how lupus as affected their life must be submitted. The yearly deadline for the Life Scholarship is July 1.

As with many such programs, a selection committee of judges will determine the winners of the Life Scholarship for having Lupus. The Life Scholarship has awarded around 48 Lupus scholarships since 2001, giving an average of right around 5-6 students every academic year.

Because the disease affects women disproportionately as compared to men, a gender bias is not only likely but pretty clear in the previous winners. Despite this, men who are interested in this Lupus scholarship absolutely should apply for the Life Scholarship as this gender bias is based more on a rough demographic percentage than indicating anything about the selection committee itself.

Segments of the personal essays as submitted to the Life Scholarship selection committee and published on their website emphasize the organization’s interest in showing hope in those with lupus. Nearly every winning entry concerns working hard to achieve goals, realizing the importance of life, fighting through depression, and being grateful for the life applicants have yet to live. This suggests that those interested in applying for the LIFE Scholarship for Lupus should be hopeful with regards to their plight in life, looking forward to the next day and interested in not letting lupus get them down. Keeping an eye towards the sky and indicating an interest in working hard through the 500 word essay will help convey a sincere interest in education. Adhering to LIFE’s wish to show courage, strength and an ability to push forward through the essay will further help indicate to the selection committee that a particular application is worth the $500 Life scholarship for disabilities.

Scholarships for Bipolar Students

bipolar-scholarships

Scholarships for Bipolar Students

Thankfully there are some disability scholarships for bipolar students with this condition which can be used to help bipolar people achieve their educational goals through providing financial assistance. Bipolar scholarships exist often times side by side or within broader scholarships for students suffering other mental maladies, though there are still those which are offered exclusively for students living with bipolar disorder only.

Working through life with a condition like bipolar disorder can be difficult for anybody. Students with this disorder can have a double dose of trouble while trying to maintain a balance between a healthy life and school made difficult by mood swings which are affecting a student’s ability to handle the world around them. Combined with the social stigma in the United States which surrounds people with bipolar disorder, it can be extra difficult for students looking to enter into higher education to be taken seriously, or even at times given scholarships because committees may not see the student as being likely to progress through their schooling.

There are also disability scholarships available for those from a diverse background for which bipolar students have had great success in applying for. While not necessarily related to scholarships, bipolar students will also find that the mental health facilities at universities are often designed in part with them in mind, and when picking a university to apply a bipolar scholarship to, students should be careful in also reviewing their medical facilities to ensure they are capable of helping them with any serious issues which may come up during the course of their studies.

In 2004 a woman named Sarah Freeman was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and, after a tumultuous time dealing with the issues it created in her life, established a website called Bipolar Lives. During her quest to provide as much information as possible regarding this mental disorder, Freeman discovered that the available information and number of bipolar disorder scholarships available was significantly limited. To rectify the situation as best she could, Freeman dedicated a page on her website to scholarships for bipolar students while at the same time establishing a disability scholarship of her own.

Since 2009 Sarah Freeman’s Bipolar Lives Scholarship has been providing at least $500 to students looking for additional funds for school while also having bipolar disorder. In 2011 the amount was increased to $1,000 and some of the specifics regarding the bipolar scholarship were changed. Students interested in applying, must be over 21 years old and write a 450-900 word essay regarding interesting or useful information on bipolar disorder. All entries will be judged by a five person panel and the awards will be given out on July 1. Beyond this students will also need to submit a separate application form which will contain the name of chosen college, program applicants wish to enter, and current grade point average. All applications must be received no later than on June 1.

Beyond the Bipolar Lives Scholarship, the Lilly Reintegration Scholarship is offered every year to students who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder. These disability scholarships for bipolar students provides for between $2,500 and $5,000 to anywhere from at least 70 to 100 students at all levels of post secondary education. On top of having been formally diagnosed with one of the above conditions, interested students must be currently undergoing medical treatment while actively working on rehabilitative program.

Further, students must be a United States citizen and be attending or preparing to attend a fully accredited university. The selection committee will consider an applicant’s overall academic progress thus far in their life, personal references, success in handling their condition, volunteer experiences, and their current rehabilitation efforts. Essays will be on a topic as assigned yearly by Lilly Reintegration group. While entries for 2011 have come to a close, the deadline for the Lilly Reintegration Scholarship for bipolar is January 25 of every year. As it is important to show active progress, it is important to start the process as early as possible.

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