by Jaime Rodriguez, RDPFS Intern
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been chronicling internships and scholarships available for students with vision loss. Following are a few of the leading scholarship opportunities this year.
The Equity Through Education Scholarship from BMO Capital Markets and Lime Connect offers several $10,000 scholarships to students in the United States and several $5,000 scholarships to students in Canada. Applicants must be current undergraduate or graduate students at a four-year university in the U.S. or Canada. In addition, applicants need to be full-time students in Fall 2023 with a minimum 40 percent course load and seeking a degree in business/commerce, computer science, engineering, math, physics, statistics, or a related discipline, and interested in a career in Financial Services with a focus on Capital Markets. To apply, you will need copies of your resume/CV and current university transcripts, an essay related to your career goals in financial services, and one reference letter. Candidates with all disabilities are encouraged to apply. The application deadline is Monday, March 21, 2022; the deadline for references is March 28, 2022. For more information or to apply to the Equity Through Education Scholarship, see the Lime Connect scholarship webpage, here.
The William and Dorothy Ferrell Scholarship from The Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER) awards $1,000 to two applicants who are studying for a career in services to children or adults who are blind or visually impaired. Applicants must be legally blind and studying full time at a post-secondary level. There are no residency restrictions for this scholarship, so people from any country may apply. The application package requires one to two letters of recommendation and the signed Certification of Visual Status, and must be submitted by April 15, 2022. For more information or to apply, see the AER Information and Criteria Google Doc, here.
Lavelle Fund for the Blind offers two scholarships for students who are legally blind and visually impaired and studying at one of twelve partnering colleges and universities in the Tri-State New York area. The Lavelle-Brother Kearney Scholarship Program, which is competitive and renewable, provides financial support and career preparation assistance to individuals who are legally blind to enter and advance in the profession of their choice. These scholarships are open to undergraduate and graduate students who are legal U.S. residents and demonstrate academic readiness, technological proficiency, mobility and self-advocacy skills, as well as meet financial criteria. Applicants also need to be motivated to work with the Scholarship Program Coordinator and fellow Scholars and participate in additional career development opportunities, including mentorships, internships, and workshops throughout their studies. The Lavelle Leaders Awards are one-time only, non-renewable merit awards of $5,000 offered to two students per year who are also legal U.S. residents and are college Juniors, Seniors, or graduate students at one of the partnering colleges or universities. Applicants need to have exhibited leadership potential, strong academic abilities, and involvement in school and/or community organizations. The submission deadline to apply for the Lavelle Leaders Award is May 31, 2022. To learn more, visit the Lavelle Fund website and select Scholarships, or contact Kate Morris, Scholarship Program Coordinator at (212) 6680-9801, ext. 101; [email protected].
