Updated as of October 8, 2024.
The Lavelle – Brother Kearney Scholarship Program supports blind/low vision students attending one of twelve colleges and universities in New York City. However, students need not live in New York City to apply.
Award
- Depends on demonstrated financial need
- Additional support, including:
- Virtual Scholars’ Meet and Greets to support informal networking.
- Being mentored in Freshman year by a successful college graduate who is blind or visually impaired through Learning Ally’s College Success Program.
- Job readiness services, career-related internships, and assistance with seeking post-college jobs. Services are provided by VISIONS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired in New York City.
Eligibility
- Legally blind
- A legal resident of the United States.
- Financially eligible, as defined by the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) determined by the FAFSA Financial Aid form.
- Be a full-time student (as well as students who work 32 or more hours per week and attend college part-time)
- Be involved in your school/local community
- Studying at one of 12 participating colleges and universities in the Tri-State New York area. These institutions are:
- Canisius College
- Dominican College
- Fairfield University
- Fordham University
- Le Moyne College
- Manhattanville College (note: candidates are eligible only after one successfully completed semester at Manhattanville College)
- Marist College
- Marymount Manhattan College
- Molloy College
- Seton Hall University
- St. John’s University – graduate programs only
- St. Thomas Aquinas College
Deadline
- None stated
Application
- “Students must be accepted into a Lavelle – Brother Kearney Scholarship college or university, complete the federal FAFSA form in addition to their college’s own financial aid application form, and seek sponsorship from their state’s Vocational Rehabilitation agency. Applicants should then contact Kate Morris, Scholarship Program Coordinator and complete The Lavelle – Brother Kearney Scholarship Program’s mandatory Waiver/Release of Information Form authorizing the release of student education and employment data to the Lavelle Fund for the Blind.”
- “Should you have questions about the Scholarship Program, please contact:” Kate Morris, Lavelle – Brother Kearney Scholarship Program Coordinator (212) 668-9801, ext. 101, (generally on Mondays and Wednesdays)
Contact the Bridges Helpdesk for More Information
Email: Helpdesk@imagemd.org
Text: Send to: (410) 357-1546
Voice mail: Call (410) 357-1546, leave a voice mail message, and we will return your call
This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.