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Scholarships for Students with Learning Differences

Your acceptance letter from the college of your dreams arrived, but you still have one big consideration to make. What will you do about tuition? These national and state scholarships, specifically for students who learn differently, may be able to help. Eye to Eye has compiled this list to help you navigate some of the scholarship opportunities available. Please let us know if there are any others that should be added!

In 2023, we’re rolling out something incredible: the launch of The Neurodiversity Scholarship. We’re honored to support neurodivergent young people 16-26 years old, focused on those who identify with learning disabilities as they pursue their academic and career goals. This initiative, courtesy of the Neurodiversity Alliance and powered by Eye to Eye, represents our ongoing commitment to helping neurodivergent students achieve their full potential while being part of a supportive community. This scholarship program is designed to break down the financial barriers to higher education, making it easier for students to go to college, focus on their studies, and graduate successfully. In addition to the funding, each scholarship recipient gets a year-long virtual mentorship from one of our Eye to Eye Alumn’eye community members. We believe in the power of these mentorship relationships, and we’re thrilled to offer funding and mentorship to all the recipients.
The AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability is awarded annually to deserving students with a disability who are pursuing undergraduate/graduate studies (must be at least enrolled as a sophomore in college) in an accredited university and who are pursuing studies related to the health and disability, to include, but not limited to public health, health promotion, disability studies, disability research, rehabilitation engineering, audiology, disability policy, special education, and majors that will impact the quality of life of persons with disabilities.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (ASHFoundation) invites full-time students who will be or who are currently enrolled in a graduate program in communication sciences and disorders to apply for graduate scholarships.
BMO Capital Markets Lime Connect Equity Through Education Scholarship is available to undergraduate or graduate students with disabilities attending a four-year university or college in the United States or Canada. Candidates should be pursuing a degree in business/commerce, computer science, engineering, math, physics, statistics, or a related discipline and have an interest in a career in financial services (a focus on capital markets is preferred). Recipients will receive a scholarship for $10,000 (studying in the United States) or $5,000 (studying in Canada).
The Disability Care Center is proud to offer scholarship opportunities that can help further the education of American college students who are either disabled or seeking a degree in special education.
The Foundation for Science and Disability (FSD) offers the Science Graduate Student Grant Fund to fourth-year undergraduates (who are disabled and have been accepted to a graduate or professional school in the sciences) and graduate science students who have a disability. Awards of $1000 each are made to support research projects of qualified university students in any field of Mathematics, Science, Medicine, Technology, or Engineering.
Gemm Learning provides the Dyslexia/Auditory Processing Disorder Scholarship ($1,000 toward college tuition) to undergrad students with dyslexia and/or auditory processing disorder, attending college/university in the US/Canada.
Google in partnership with the Lime Network offers the Google Lime Scholarship designed for current undergraduates, graduate students, or PhD students with disabilities who are enrolled at a four-year university or college in the United States or Canada. Recipients will earn a scholarship for $10,000 (studying in the United States) or $5,000 (studying in Canada), based on tuition costs. Selected students will also be invited to attend the annual Google Scholars’ Retreat at the Googleplex in Mountain View, California. Candidates will also be considered for software engineering internship opportunities with Google.
The Joseph James Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually in the amount of $500 to $2,500. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in STEM field (science, technology, engineering, math). Applicants must have a demonstrated learning challenge of dyslexia or similar reading and/or language-based disability.
Landmark College — Vocational Rehabilitation Grants are packaged financial aid opportunities for disability scholarships based upon need. The college participates in private and federal grant programs.
Learning Ally annually offers three endowed scholarship awards for outstanding Learning Ally students with print and learning disabilities and the educators who ensure they thrive academically.
The Lime Connect Pathways Scholarship is designed for current high school seniors with disabilities who intend to pursue a degree at a four-year university or college in the United States or Canada. Recipients will each receive $1,000 in support of their university/college studies.
The Microsoft disAbility Scholarship gives $5,000 (renewable annually up to $20,000) to students with disabilities who plan to attend a vocational or academic college and target a career in the technology industry.
The National Center for Learning Disabilities offers two scholarships annually for students with learning and attention issues: the Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship ($5,000) to a graduating high school senior who will enroll in a two-year community college, a vocational or technical training program, or a specialized program for students with LD and/or ADHD in the fall and the Anne Ford Scholarship ($10,000) to a graduating high school senior who will be enrolled in a full-time bachelor’s degree program in the fall.
The P. Buckley Moss Endowed Scholarship provides up to $1,000.00 financial award annually (renewable up to three years) to one graduating high school senior with a language-based learning difference who plans a career in the visual arts.
Smart Kids with Disabilities awards the Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Award annually to students age 19 or younger with learning disabilities and ADHD demonstrating initiative, talent, and determination resulting in a notable accomplishment in any field — including art, music, science, math, athletics, or community service.
The Sleep Family provides a $1,500 annual scholarship to disabled students in hopes that by removing certain financial obstacles, students with disabilities can focus more on school and the college experience rather than thinking about expenses.

State- and School-Specific Opportunities

Arkansas: The Ralph G. Norman Scholarship offers $2,500 to an Arkansas resident pursuing higher education.
Indiana: The Indiana University Bloomington awards a variety scholarships for students, funded by their donors, the Division of Student Affairs, and the Office of Disability Services for Students. Learn more on the Indiana University website.
Florida: Florida State University offers a scholarship to students with learning disabilities. Information can be found on the FSU Student Disability Resource Center website.
Michigan: The University of Michigan has the Nabi Family Scholarship , two awards of $4,000 for students enrolled in the University of Michigan Services for Students with Disabilities. (Also note the Ability Center Disability Scholarships below for residents of Monroe or Lenawee Counties).
Ohio: The Ability Center Disability Scholarships require that you have a disability of any type that may require additional assistance not provided to a traditional student. Scholarship recipients must be from Lucas, Wood, Fulton, Henry, Ottawa, Defiance or Williams county in Ohio or Monroe or Lenawee county in Michigan.
Oklahoma: The DREAM Institute has established a scholar award for Oklahoma students with physical and/or learning disabilities that are pursuing a higher education degree at an Oklahoma in state college or university. Students must be enrolled as a full time student.
Oregon and Southwest Washington: Incight, a leading non-profit supporting people with disabilities, offers yearly scholarships for students attending college in Oregon or Southwest Washington. Check the Incight website for more information.
Texas: Texas A&M University awards a variety of scholarships for students with learning disabilities. Learn more in the Texas A&M University Disability Services website.