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Bridges Blog Financial Resources Series: Forward Focus February, 2023

Scholarships!

Forward Focus February

February may be the shortest month of the year, but that just means that we need to pack it FULL! This month we share resources to help us maintain a Forward Focus in February.

  • February 7: Scholarships!
  • February 14: Contests!
  • February 21: Internships!
  • February 28: More Opportunities!

In this first installment of our “Forward Focus February” series, we explore scholarships for individuals who are blind or who have low vision. Many deadlines are coming up soon. Don’t delay; apply today!

Importance for All Students

While most of these scholarships are available to high school seniors planning to attend college full-time in the fall, it’s still worthwhile for other students to check these out.

For high school juniors, sophomores, and freshmen, it can be very valuable to know what to expect in terms of scholarships. Senior year is busy and overwhelming, Wouldn’t it be nice to have months to plan writing essays and asking for reference letters? Well, here’s your chance!

For those already in college, some of these scholarships offer funds to current college students. In other cases, funders of some of the scholarships listed have additional scholarships for current undergraduate and graduate students. Scholarship money is money, and it’s never too late to apply for some!

Scholarships For Maryland Students

John T.  McCraw Scholarship Program (National Federation of the Blind of Maryland)

Award:

  • At least $2,000, and up to $3,500
  • Merit-based; based on academic excellence, community service, and leadership
  • Financial assistance to attend the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in its entirety, July 1-6, 2023, in Houston, Texas
  • Financial assistance to attend the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, November 10-12, 2023, in Hunt Valley, Maryland

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. Resident of Maryland or attending college/postsecondary school in Maryland
  3. Full- or part-time student in Fall of 2023 and Spring of 2024 (priority to full-time students)
  4. Will be 18 years old before July 1, 2023
  5. Must attend the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind July 1-6, 2023, in Houston, Texas
  6. Must attend the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, November 10-12, 2023, in Hunt Valley, Maryland

Deadline:

  • April 15, 2023

Application:

National Scholarship Opportunities

National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Annual Scholarship Program

Award:

  • $8,000
  • Merit-based; based on academic excellence, community service, and leadership
  • Financial assistance to attend the Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in its entirety, July 1-6, 2023, in Houston, Texas

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. Residing in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico
  3. Will be 18 years old before July 1, 2023
  4. Pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study in a degree program at a U.S. institution in the fall of the year of application (one scholarship may be given to a person employed full-time while attending school part-time)
  5. Must participate in the entire NFB National Convention and in all of its scheduled scholarship program activities (finalists will receive assistance to attend the national convention).
  6. Must attend the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in its entirety, July 1-6, 2023, in Houston, Texas

Deadline:

  • March 31, 2023

Application:

Jim Halladay HumanWare/NFB Scholarship

Award:

  • $1,000
  • Brailliant BI40 braille display
    • Four scholarships are available
  • Financial assistance to attend the Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in its entirety, July 1-6, 2023, in Houston, Texas

Same eligibility requirements as the NFB Scholarship above; apply using the NFB Scholarship online application

  • To be considered for this additional award, on the application, select the checkbox to get access to the Humanware scholarship application questions as well. 
  • NOTE: Even though the same application is used, the selection process for these Humanware scholarships is entirely separate from the selection process for the 30 NFB scholarships. 
  • Those selected as Humanware/NFB scholarship winners will be notified separately by Humanware of their winner status.
  • If NFB scholarship applicants do not wish to fill out the application questions for the Humanware/NFB scholarships, simply do not check the box within the NFB scholarship application and bypass the associated questions.

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. Residing in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico
  3. Will be 18 years old before July 1, 2023
  4. Pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study in a degree program at a U.S. institution in the fall of the year of application (one scholarship may be given to a person employed full-time while attending school part-time)
  5. Must participate in the entire NFB National Convention and in all of its scheduled scholarship program activities (finalists will receive assistance to attend the national convention).
  6. Must attend the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in its entirety, July 1-6, 2023, in Houston, Texas

Deadline:

  • March 31, 2023

Application:

American Council of the Blind’s (ACB) Scholarship Program (includes scholarships sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind—AFB)

Award:

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. Maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for most scholarships
  3. Be a full-time student at a post-secondary institution in the United States (as well as students who work 32 or more hours per week and attend a U.S. post-secondary institution part time)
  4. Be involved in your school/local community
  5. Scholarship winners will experience firsthand ACB’s National Conference and Convention (June 30-July 7, 2023 in Schaumburg, Illinois), where you will meet other students who share the same life experiences, create lasting friendships and network with individuals who understand what you are going through and can help you with your journey. There are also many sessions where you can learn about new technology and what is happening in our community.

Deadline:

  • February 14, 2023

Application:

Fred Scheigert Scholarship Program

The Fred Scheigert Scholarship Program awards four (4) students an individual prize of $3,000. This competitive scholarship is available to full-time college students with low vision, chosen from among those who meet the visual acuity and academic guidelines.

Award:

  • $3,000
  • Up to four (4) awards

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind or low vision (acuity from 20/70 in the better eye with best possible correction, or a field no greater than 30 degrees)
  2. Full-time (12 units undergraduate/ 9 • units graduate) college/trade/vocational student for the academic year
  3. Minimum cumulative 3.2 Grade Point Average (GPA)
  4. Expected to attend the ACB National Conference and Convention (June 30-July 7, 2023 in Schaumburg, Illinois). Students’ expenses will be reimbursed based upon the Board approved Reimbursement Policy.

Deadline:

  • March 15, 2023

Application:

Anne Lowe Scholarship

Award:

  • Not listed, might be up to $2,000

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. U.S. Citizenship
  3. Currently registered as a full-time student in undergraduate studies
  4. Minimum 3.0 grade point average
  5. Attending an accredited college or university in the U.S.
  6. Based on financial need    

Deadline:

  • April 15, 2023

Application:

Lighthouse Guild College Bound Scholarship

Award:

  • Up to 20 awards per year

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. High school senior
  3. U.S. citizenship or legal residency
  4. College must be accredited by a body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
  5. All college admissions policies must be non-denominational and open to applicants of all religions, faiths, and beliefs
  6. Documentation of academic achievement (copies of school transcripts)

Deadline:

  • March 31, 2023

Application:

Lighthouse Guild Dr. Neil S. Patel Memorial Scholarship

Award:

  • Not stated

Eligibility:

  1. Visually impaired
  2. Aspirations of a higher education (College, Graduate school or higher)
  3. Proof of academic achievement
  4. Commitment to serve under-resourced communities
  5. Leadership abilities

Deadline:

  • Not stated

Application:

Lavelle – Brother Kearney Scholarship Program

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:

  1. Legally blind
  2. A legal resident of the United States.
  3. Financially eligible, as defined by the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) determined by the FAFSA Financial Aid form.
  4. Be a full-time student (as well as students who work 32 or more hours per week and attend college part-time)
  5. Be involved in your school/local community
  6. Studying at one of 12 participating colleges and universities in the Tri-State New York area. These institutions are:
  7. Canisius College
  8. Dominican College
  9. Fairfield University
  10. Fordham University
  11. Le Moyne College
  12. Manhattanville College (note: candidates are eligible only after one successfully completed semester at Manhattanville College)
  13. Marist College
  14. Marymount Manhattan College
  15. Molloy College
  16. Seton Hall University
  17. St. John’s University – graduate programs only
  18. 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 us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Bridges Technical Assistance Center’s Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

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.

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