by Daniel Parker, RDPFS Intern
As students prepare for the coming academic year, we are providing a list of notable scholarships and scholarship resources focusing on students with disabilities, including vision loss. Be sure to apply for funding from your state’s Commission for the Blind or equivalent agency; some scholarships actually require proof of this step for a student to be considered. For lists of scholarships, you can check those maintained by the Lavelle Fund for the Blind and Lighthouse Guild. For further information about specific scholarships of interest, it would be advisable to contact the scholarship provider directly. Following are some additional individual scholarships that may be of interest:
– The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) scholarships are again accepting applications, due March 31. Recipients are required to attend scholarship program activities as well as the NFB Convention.
– The BMO Capital Markets Lime Connect Equity Through Education Scholarship connects undergraduate and graduate students majoring in a business, finance, or STEM field and interested in a career in financial services with $10,000 (U.S.) or $5,000 (Canada) to put toward future study. Applications are due by April 9, 2023 at midnight PT (3 am ET).
– Lighthouse Guild has its own scholarships, which it awarded to nine high school seniors across the country in 2022. Each year, up to 20 scholarships are offered to undergraduates and at least one to a graduate student. Applications are due by March 31, 2023.
In addition to these programs, parents, educators, students, and others can contact local community organizations that provide services to individuals with vision loss to inquire about other scholarship opportunities to support the pursuit of higher education.
