These College Scholarships are Open to People with Disabilities

Going to college can be a life changing experience – from meeting new friends to expanding your knowledge to learning more about yourself. It can also be especially challenging while living with a rare condition like Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

That’s where these scholarships aimed at individuals with Duchenne and those with other disabilities can come in, like those listed below. They can provide extra financial support to help you achieve your educational dreams after high school.

There are thousands of scholarships out there, and tools like Big Future from the College Board, Bold.org, and Scholarships360 can help you find the right one. Also, be sure to contact your school’s financial aid office to see if there are any other scholarships and grants available to you.

MDA College Scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: March 31

The MDA College Scholarship program recognizes students who are making an impact in the neuromuscular community and demonstrate leadership qualities..

EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases #RAREis scholarship

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: March 18 – April 22

In partnership with Amgen, The EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases will provide $5,000 in scholarships to 88 people living with a rare disease.

Route 79 – The Duchenne Scholarship Program

Amount: $5,000

Deadline: May 13

Sarepta Therapeutics will award 20 academic scholarships of up to $5,000 to individuals with Duchenne and five siblings of individuals with Duchenne.

The NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship

Deadline:TBD (Spring 2024)

Amount: $5,625

This scholarship annually provides eight (8) scholarships to high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students with disabilities who are pursuing careers in media, communications, or entertainment industries. Each recipient receives $5,625 to help cover the cost of education at their college or university.

National Center for Learning Disabilities – Anne Ford Scholarship

Deadline: April 13

Amount: $10,000

The Anne Ford Scholarship is a $10,000 scholarship ($2,500/year over four years) granted to a graduating high school senior who will enroll in a full-time bachelor’s degree program in the fall. Students must have a documented learning disability (LD). Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) who also have a learning disability, are encouraged to apply.

Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship

Deadline: April 30                                                

Amount: $5,000

The winner is awarded the amount of $5,000. These scholarship funds may be used to assist with tuition, books and related educational expenses at qualifying undergraduate institutions, and in the curriculum of their choice.

Mays Mission scholarships

Deadline: June 30

Amount: Various

Mays Mission offers scholarships to deserving students with physical and/or mental disabilities. To qualify for a Mays Mission scholarship, one must be able to document a significant disability, score of 20 or better on the A.C.T or 970 on S.A.T., be enrolled in a four-year study program (under-graduate only) working toward a baccalaureate degree and provide proof of enrollment.

BMO Capital Markets Equity Through Education Scholarship

Deadline: April 7

Amount: $10,000

This scholarship is designed for undergraduate and graduate students with a disability interested in financial services and capital markets careers. Selected recipients receive $10,000 USD (students in the US) or $5,000 USD (students in Canada) to support their future studies.

The Johnson & Johnson Access-Ability Lime Scholarship

Deadline: April 7

Amount: $10,000

Current college students with disabilities who are pursuing a Health Care or STEM degree at a four-year university or college in the U.S can apply for this scholarship.

Lime Connect Pathways Scholarship for High School Seniors

Deadline: April 14

Amount: $1,000

This scholarship is for current high school seniors with disabilities pursuing a degree at a four-year university in the U.S. or Canada.

IES Abroad Disability Grant

Deadline: April 1

Amount: $2,500

The Institute for the International Education of Students offers grants to those with disabilities who plan to study abroad. You must fill out a form and explain how the funding would help your participation in the program.  

Raytheon Technologies Underrepresented Minorities in Cybersecurity Scholarship

Deadline: May 1

Amount: $10,000

The aerospace and defense company offers a $10,000 scholarship to three people who underrepresented minorities in STEM, including those with disabilities.