Learning Disability Scholarships—What You Need To Know
Getting a degree is a difficult task, especially in the United States, where tuition fees and other education-related expenses are through the roof. Without financial aid, many students have to work part-time to earn enough money for college. That can make any student’s life difficult, let alone the lives of those with learning disabilities.
If you can’t approach learning the traditional way because of a diagnosed disability, you can apply for learning disability scholarships and grants. We’ll show you what the best way to find a scholarship is and how you can obtain it.
How Do Scholarships Work?
With tuition fees as high as they are, it’s only normal companies, organizations, and institutions offer scholarships to students of all levels of study, including:
- High school (juniors and seniors)
- College
Apart from the level of study, scholarship programs also choose a specific group of students that aligns with their values and goals. These groups can include:
- Women
- Veterans
- Minorities
- Students of faith, such as:
- International students
Learning Disability Scholarships
Scholarship programs for students with learning disabilities are dedicated to those who have difficulties understanding educational material and studying it. Difficulties in question are disabilities that affect one’s ability to study effectively—not intellectual or physical constraints to being a successful student.
To be eligible for a scholarship for students with learning disabilities, you need to have been officially diagnosed with one of the following:
- Dyslexia
- Dyscalculia
- Dysgraphia
- Non-verbal learning disabilities
- Reading comprehension deficit
- Related disabilities:
- Dyspraxia
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Attention deficit disorder (ADD)
Some scholarships focus on a single disability, but most programs provide help to students with multiple disorders. Another distinction is that they choose students and establish award amounts based on:
- Merit
- Need
Merit-Based Scholarships for Students With Learning Disabilities
Merit-based learning disability scholarships require you to show a certain level of academic excellence. While scholarship providers usually don’t have a minimum requirement for GPAs and SAT or ACT scores, they will take those into account when comparing you to other applicants.
Check out the table below to find information about some of the available scholarships for students with learning disabilities:
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility Requirements | Application Deadline | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Association on Health & Disability’s (AAHD) Frederick J. Krause Scholarship |
| September 1 | $1,000 |
| American Library Association Century Scholarship |
| March 1 | $2,500 |
| Google Lime Scholarship |
| December 5 | $10,000 |
| Anne Ford Scholarship |
| April 5 | $10,000 |
| Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship |
| April 5 | $5,000 |
Need-Based Scholarships for Students With Learning Disabilities
If you can’t obtain a scholarship based on merit, you can get financial aid by applying for federal and state grants and loans. To get one, you will need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to prove your financial standing and submit your doctor’s diagnosis.
Loans offer you funds to help you go through your education years without having to struggle for money, but you will need to repay them (usually with interest).
Grants are nonrepayable, but providers don’t offer significant amounts. As such, they may help you pay your fees, but you will still need to cover the rest of the expenses on your own.
Where To Search for Learning Disability Scholarships
The troublesome part about getting a scholarship for students with learning disabilities is finding information about them. They are scattered all over the Internet, and it can take you months of conducting various searches to find what you’re looking for. Good starting points for your research can be your school’s financial aid office or National Center for Learning Disabilities’ website (NCLD).
If you wish to be more efficient with your time, use DoNotPay. With our app, you can skip the entire search process and get a personalized list of all available scholarships you’re eligible for within minutes!
The Application Process for Learning Disability Scholarships
Different scholarships have different application methods, and they require a varying set of paperwork, but you can expect to be asked to provide the following documents:
- Essay
- Proof of a diagnosed learning or related disability
- Grade transcripts
- The FAFSA form
- Letter of recommendation
- Resume
- Cover letter
DoNotPay Can Help You Find a Scholarship for Students With Learning Disabilities
Many students give up on the idea of pursuing a scholarship because it’s a time-consuming process that requires a lot of effort. You don’t have to be one of those students—DoNotPay can help you find and apply for a scholarship within five minutes!
All you need to do is the following:
- Sign up for DoNotPay
- Select the Apply for Scholarships product
- Answer a few questions regarding your academic performance and level of study
We will give you a list of all scholarships for which you can apply, along with the necessary information to let you know what these programs are all about. If there are no-essay scholarships available, you can instruct us to apply for them on your behalf.
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