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Scholarship Opportunities for Blind/Low Vision Students with Spring Deadlines

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 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 6-11, 2021, in New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Financial assistance to attend the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, November 12-14, 2021, in Baltimore, 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 2021 and Spring of 2022 (priority to full-time students)
  4. Must attend the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in its entirety, July 6-11, 2021, in New Orleans, Louisiana
  5. Must attend the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, November 12-14, 2021, in Baltimore, Maryland

Deadline:

  • April 15, 2021

Application:

National Scholarship Opportunities

National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Annual Scholarship Program

Award:

  • At least $3,000, and up to $12,000
    • NFB/HumanWare STEM Internship Opportunity
      • Additionally, two of the thirty winners will also receive one new Brailliant BI40 and $1,000 to be used toward tuition fees
      • To be considered for this additional award, on the application, you must check the box labeled, “Yes, I would like to complete an additional application for the 2021 HumanWare internship.”
  • Merit-based; based on 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 6-11, 2021, in New Orleans, Louisiana

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. Residing in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico
  3. 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)
  4. 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).
  5. Must attend the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in its entirety, July 6-11, 2021, in New Orleans, Louisiana

Deadline:

  • March 31, 2021

Application:

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

Award:

  • At least $2,000, and up to $7,500

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. Maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for most scholarships
  3. Be a full-time student (as well as students who work 32 or more hours per week and attend college part time)
  4. Be involved in your school/local community
  5. Scholarship winners will experience firsthand ACB’s National Conference and Convention in July, 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 15, 2021

Application:

  • All interested candidates must register for an ACB account prior to submitting a scholarship application online. Once you have created an account with ACB, please login and then you can access the scholarship application from the link at the top of the site.
  • American Council of the Blind Scholarship online application

Anne Lowe Scholarship

Award:

  • Unknown

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. U.S. Citizenship
  3. Currently registered as a full-time student in undergraduate studies

Deadline:

  • April 15, 2021

Application:

Lavelle – Brother Kearney Scholarship Program

Award:

  • Depends on demonstrated financial need

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, Scholarship Program Coordinator (212) 668-9801, ext. 101, (generally on Mondays and Wednesdays), kmorris@lavellefund.org”

Lighthouse Guild College Bound Scholarship

Award:

  • Not stated, up to 17 awards per year

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. High school senior
  3. U.S. 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, 2021

Application:

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the 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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