Financial Aid

Scholarships designated for students with disabilities are quite limited. Students are urged to pursue scholarships related to disability as well as those with criteria other than disability. Some nursing students with disabilities may be eligible for Social Security benefits or vocational rehabilitation services. The following resources provide information about scholarship opportunities, Social Security benefits, Vocational Rehabilitation Programs and information from the Internal Revenue Service for people with disabilities.

1800wheelchair.com Scholarship Award
A scholarship is awarded to the winner of an essay writing contest.

Alexander Graham Bell / Association for the Deaf
The association offers scholarships limited to individuals who are prelingually deaf or hard of hearing and who use speech or speech reading to communicate.

American Council of the Blind
The council offers scholarships limited to individuals who are legally blind or visually impaired.

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Publication 907, "Tax Highlights for Persons with Disabilities"
This publication gives a brief introduction to certain parts of the tax law of particular interest to people with disabilities.

Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation:
The ELA Foundation distributes scholarships to women with disabilities who are pursuing an advanced degree at any university in the country.

Federal Student Aid Information Center
The Information Center can answer questions about federal student aid.

National Federation of the Blind
This organization offers scholarship to students who are legally blind.

National Center for Learning Disabilities
Anne Ford Scholarship - Award given to high school seniors with LD pursuing an undergraduate degree.

Nurseshouse.org
Offers temporary financial assistance to nurses who are ill, convalescing or disabled, and unable to meet current living expenses.

Pfizer Epilepsy Scholarship
Scholarships are granted to students who have moved beyond the physical limitations of epilepsy and hold the promise of continued excellence in the pursuit of higher education.

Reading for the Blind and Dyslexic
Sponsors two awards competitions for outstanding students with print disabilities. Visit the web site for scholarship details.

Social Security Administration
The Social Security Administration provides cash benefits (SSI and/or SSDI) to persons with a physical or mental disability that prevents them from working and which is expected to last at least a year or to be terminal. The amount of money and services varies in each state.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Vocational Rehabilitation and Counseling Programs
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides counseling and services to service-connected disabled veterans.