Supporting Dreams: Explore Top 10 Scholarships for Handicapped Students

In today's increasingly diverse and inclusive world, educational opportunities must be accessible to every person, regardless of their physical or mental limitations. Scholarships for handicapped students play a very important role in making sure that students with disabilities receive a fair chance to pursue their dreams and achieve their academic goals. These scholarships for handicapped students offer financial support, which can open doors to higher education and empower disabled students to thrive in their chosen fields. 

In this blog, we will explore the various scholarships for disabled students, the eligibility criteria, and the amounts covered. So, let’s get started!

Top 10 Scholarships for Handicapped Students

In order to promote inclusivity and equality, several educational institutions, government agencies, multinational corporations, and private organisations offer scholarships for handicapped students. This gives them a chance to pursue whatever they have an interest in. These scholarships are either thoroughly or partially funded, and have simple application processes too. Here are the top 10 scholarships for physically disabled students.

1. $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship by Scholarships360

Amount: $10,000
Eligibility: All grade levels, no GPA required, and applicants must be US citizens. 
Application requirements: Proof of enrollment and academic transcripts
Deadline: June, 2024
Who can apply: US students or permanent residents 

The $10,000 “no-essay” Scholarship is one of the best scholarships for students with disability. It offers funds up to $10,000 to master’s students, school-going students, and even adult learners who wish to complete their education. Students with disabilities can apply for this scholarship on the official platform of Scholarships360. The best part? You don’t need an essay for this scholarship. 

2. Tommy Tranchin Award

Amount: $2,500
Eligibility: High school students pursuing visual or performing arts
Application requirements: Letter of recommendation
Deadline: December 1, 2023
Who can apply: Students with physical, emotional, & intellectual disabilities 

The Tommy Tranchin Award, one of the top scholarships for handicapped students, was introduced to help students with mental, physical, and intellectual disabilities. It is awarded to students who have shown tremendous passion or promise in their respective fields of study. This award is from The Dallas Foundation and is intended to support students with creative projects, seminars, or workshops related to their fields. 

3. Help America Hear Scholarship 

Amount: $4000
Eligibility: High school seniors 
Application requirements: 500-1500 word essays and letters of recommendation
Deadline: April 7, 2024
Who can apply: High school seniors with hearing loss

The Help America Hear Scholarship is one of the best scholarships for handicapped students, specifically those with hearing disabilities. More specifically, it is a scholarship for students who rely on hearing aids on a daily basis. The best part about this scholarship is that in addition to the amount that will be provided for college expenses, the winners will also receive two state-of-the-art hearing aids from ReSound. 

4. Microsoft Disability Scholarship

Amount: $5,000 for up to 4 consecutive years 
Eligibility: A student planning to attend an undergraduate program in a two or 4-year university or technical college 
Application Requirements: Transcripts, essays, and letters of recommendation.
Deadline: March 13, 2024
Who can apply: High school seniors with a disability

Next on our list of top scholarships for handicapped students is the Microsoft Disability Scholarship. It is open to any student around the world who wishes to study at a US University. The students applying to this scholarship must have an interest or background in fields like engineering, computer science, computer information systems, law, business, or a related subject.

5. AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability 

Amount: $1000
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate student and must have completed one full year of college, or part-time or full-time in a graduate school, pursuing a postgraduate degree
Application requirements: Personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and most recent transcript 
Deadline: March 1, 2024
Who can apply: US citizens

The AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability is also one of the top scholarships for individuals with disabilities. This scholarship is for handicapped students who must be US citizens enrolled full-time as undergraduate or graduate students at any accredited US university. Another criterion to get this scholarship is for the student to be pursuing a degree related to health and disability in particular. 

6. Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) College Scholarship Program 

Amount: $1,000 - $5,000
Eligibility: Hearing loss must be bilateral and in the moderately severe to profound range. Candidate should be accepted at or be enrolled in an accredited law school or master's/doctoral program. 
Application Requirements: Visit the AG Bell website in December for a full description of eligibility requirements.
Deadline: January, 2024
Who can apply: Full-time students with pre-lingual bilateral hearing loss

The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) College Scholarship Program is one of the best and most well-known disability scholarships for students. This is one of those handicapped student scholarships that are open to students both within and outside of the United States. This scholarship for handicapped students is merit-based.

7. Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship 

Amount: $5000
Eligibility: The student must be accepted to an institution of higher learning or be enrolled in a two- or four-year undergraduate program currently.
Application requirements: Medical documentation of disability, proof of legal U.S. residency, college acceptance letter, and most recent transcript
Deadline: April 30, 2024
Who can apply: US citizen or legal permanent US resident 

The Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship is one of the best handicapped student scholarships. The highlight of the application process for this particular scholarship for handicapped students is that the essay must focus on how disability impacted your life. It must also mention how it has influenced any hardship in your life and how you managed to overcome it. A tip to follow here is to make sure to draft a thoughtful and purposeful essay. 

8. Google Lime Scholarship Program

Amount: $10,000 (USA) and $5,000 (Canada)
Eligibility: Students starting higher-level studies in the USA or Canada at a recognised university as full-time students and pursuing Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or other closely related programs.
Application Requirements: Details of work experience, current resume, transcripts, three essays mentioning the applicant's passion for computer science, and a recommendation letter.
Deadline: March 26, 2024
Who can apply: Students with disabilities in the US and Canada

The Google Lime Scholarship Program is a very well-known and one of the top scholarships for handicapped students. A joint venture between Lime Connect, an NGO, and Google, the scholarship is specifically designed for students who are pursuing a degree in computer science or computer engineering. A strong academic background and a demonstrated passion for computer science will get you this scholarship. 

9. Snowden Trust Grants

Amount: £5000
Eligibility: Students with physical disabilities
Application requirements: Application form with at least four specialised references. 
Deadline: May 2024
Who can apply: Must be enrolled in a UK university

The Snowden Trust Grants are scholarships for disabled students that offer financial aid of up to £5000 to students for disability-related student costs. To win this scholarship, students must be above the age of 16 and should be enrolled at a UK university. 

10. UC Doctoral Scholarship for Students with Disabilities

Amount: NZ$28,000
Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in a programme for a research doctoral degree and must not already hold a research doctoral degree.
Application requirements: Evidence regarding the degree of disability and the extent to which it impairs the ability to study
Deadline: October 2024
Who can apply: Students pursuing research doctoral degree

One of the top scholarships for handicapped students, the University of Canterbury Doctoral Scholarship for Students with Disabilities, is specifically for students who wish to complete a research degree. This one comes under the category of exclusive handicapped student scholarships, as only one is available annually. Students must have a high academic achievement to get this scholarship. 

So, this was our list of the top scholarships for handicapped students. Most universities and educational institutions put heavy importance on these scholarships and strive to create a very welcoming and inclusive environment for each student. Not only do these scholarships for students with disability help them with their financial needs, but they also give them the confidence, strength, and motivation to make their dreams come true!