The prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is open to all U.S. citizen undergraduates, in good academic standing, applying to study abroad programs or internships for credit with a diverse background.
Scholarships
An important part of preparing for college is figuring out how to pay for it. Below you will find information about scholarships, including deadlines, award amounts, and eligibility. For more funding strategies for college, consult the DO-IT publication College Funding for Students with Disabilities.
Upcoming Scholarship Opportunities
The following scholarships are listed in order by deadline.
-
Application Due: October 5, 2023
Description:Eligibility:U.S. citizen undergraduates, in good academic standing, applying to study abroad programs or internships for credit with a diverse background, including, but not limited to high financial need, students with disabilities, STEM field majors
-
Application Due: October 19, 2023
Description:
At the beginning of the summer, interns participate in a 1-week orientation session to learn about AAPD and the disability rights movement, meet the other interns, and participate in a variety of engaging workshops and events. As part of the AAPD network, interns also receive opportunities to attend events on Capitol Hill, conferences, community events, briefings, and more. Each intern is matched with a mentor who will assist them with their career goals. AAPD provides the interns with a living stipend, transportation to and from Washington, DC, and fully-accessible housing.
You will not be required to disclose your specific disability; however, your application for this program will signify that you consider yourself a person with a disability. Individuals that are not US citizens are welcome to participate in this program if they 1) are a current student at or recent graduate of US college or university and 2) have the proper work authorization documents.
Eligibility:Any undergraduate student, law student, graduate student, or recent graduate from a US college or university who self-identifies as an individual with any type of disability is invited to apply. -
Application Due: October 31, 2023
Description:
A $1,000 scholarship for undergraduate students with dyslexia and/or auditory processing disorder in the US or Canada; awarded based off applicant's essay on either "Living with Dyslexia" or "Living with Auditory Processing Disorder."
Eligibility:Currently enrolled undergraduate students with dyslexia and/or auditory processing disorder. -
Application Due: November 30, 2023
Description:
Auger & Auger is sponsoring a $1,000 scholarship, given twice a year, to assist with tuition and expenses at a qualifying undergraduate institution. Applicants will be judged on their academic merits as well as the content of the application and essay they provide.
Eligibility:Current graduating high school seniors with acceptance to an accredited school or current undergraduate at an accredited institution in the US with at least a 2.8 GPA. -
Application Due: December 1, 2023
Description:
The Foundation for Science and Disability will give awards of $1000 to fourth-year undergraduate (who have been accepted to graduate/professional school) and graduate students who have a disability and who are involved in research projects in mathematics, science, medicine, engineering, or computer science.
Eligibility:Fourth year undergraduate (who have been accepted to a graduate/professional school) and graduate students who have a disability; must be US citizens. -
Application Due: December 12, 2023
Description:
Through its Fellowship Programs, the Ford Foundation seeks to increase the diversity of the nation’s college and university faculties by increasing their ethnic and racial diversity, to maximize the educational benefits of diversity, and to increase the number of professors who can and will use diversity as a resource for enriching the education of all students.
Eligibility:Current graduate student studying in eligible field of study researching and enrolled in an eligible research-based (dissertation-required) leading to Ph.D./Sc.D. degree at a not for profit US institute for higher education -
Application Due: December 15, 2023
Description:
One applicant each from the United States and Canada will be selected, who uses a manual or power wheelchair, or a mobility scooter, to be awarded a $1,500 scholarship.
Eligibility:Full-time U.S. undergraduate/graduate students who use mobility equipment, such as power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs or mobility scooters. -
Application Due: December 31, 2023
Description:
Learning Ally awards the top winners $6,000 each and special honors winners $2,000 each. All scholarship awardees must be capable and willing to publicly share their personal story and represent Learning Ally as a spokesperson and advocate at various local, virtual and national events. Costs associated with these events will be covered by Learning Ally.
Eligibility:Learning Ally members who are high school seniors with learning disabilities. -
Application Due: December 31, 2023
Description:
Awards ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 will be given to qualifying students who are blind or visually impaired.
Eligibility:Undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate students are eligible. -
Application Due: December 31, 2023
Description:
Three $6,000 awards and three $2,000 awards will be given to qualifying learning-disabled students.
Eligibility:High school senior members with learning disabilities, who plan to continue their education after graduation, in recognition of their academic achievement, outstanding leadership, and service to others. -
Application Due: December 31, 2023
Description:
Designed for people who wish to earn a Sport Pilot license. Applicants must be able to provide proof of disability from their attending physician, be at least 17 years of age, a U.S. citizen, have a valid driver’s license, and be able to operate the controls of the training aircraft. Special controls will be available for Able Flight Scholars as needed. Scholarship applications are accepted at any time and reviewed on a continuing basis. Training takes place from mid-May to early July of each year.
Eligibility:Must be able to provide proof of disability from their attending physician, be at least 17 years of age, a U.S. citizen, have a valid driver’s license. -
Application Due: January 31, 2024
Description:
Up to $8,000 in academic assistance and a full-time summer internship.
Eligibility:Undergraduate students interested in atmospheric and oceanic sciences are eligible. -
Application Due: February 1, 2024
Description:
Scholarships are open to any college-age undergraduate with PKU who is on diet treatment. Residents of any country are eligible to apply, but the application must be in English or translated into readable English.
Eligibility:Current and upcoming undergraduate students with PKU and on a diet treatment are eligible -
Application Due: February 25, 2024
Description:
The Joseph James Morelli Scholarship Fund supports high school and college students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia who wish to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Scholarships may be applied to tuition costs, needed resources, and/or testing costs and will range from $500 to $2,500.
Eligibility:Current and upcoming college students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia pursuing a career in STEM are eligible -
Application Due: March 1, 2024
Description:
This award is up to $2,500.
Eligibility:Masters or doctorate students with disabilities interested in library school are eligible. -
Application Due: April 1, 2024
Description:
Varghese Summersett is a Fort Worth criminal defense law firm that focuses on state and federal criminal matters. The special needs scholarships can be used offset the cost of camp, tutoring, classes, secondary education, post-secondary education or tools to help the students learn and flourish.
Eligibility:Applicant must have proof of diagnosis of Autism or Down Syndrome. -
Application Due: April 2, 2024
Description:
The Harriet Evelyn Wallace Scholarship was established from a bequest given to AGI by Harriet Evelyn Wallace, who was one of the founding members of the Geoscience Information Society (GSIS). This scholarship is for the support of female graduate students in the United States studying the geosciences. A new scholar is named each year, and every scholar is eligible for up to two years of support. The current annual award is $5,000.
Eligibility:Female current and admitted graduate students studying geoscience with at least a 3.25 undergraduate GPA or a 3.0 graduate GPA; must be a US citizen/permanent resident.