http://www.smartkidswithld.org/ages-stages/high-school/financial-aid-opportunities-forcollege-students-with-ld
Financial Aid Opportunities for College Students with LD
By Joan M. Azarva, Ms.ED
Anyone who’s been paying attention to the news knows that college tuition is an ever-increasing
hardship for many American families. Over the past decade, college expenses have increased
faster than the rate of inflation—faster, even, than health-care costs!
According to the College Board, the average annual cost for tuition, fees, and room and board is
$38,600 for a private four-year college and $17,000 for a public four-year college ($30,000 for
out-of-state residents). Outstanding student loan debt now tops $1 trillion, exceeding the amount
of total credit-card debt in the U.S. Furthermore, an increasing number of borrowers come from
middle- to upper middle-class households, with annual incomes between $94,000 and $205,000.
It’s no wonder many families are looking for “free” money to finance their child’s college
education. For parents of students with learning disabilities, “free” money is particularly
welcome. Anyone with a special-needs child is aware of the frequent accompanying expenses—
private tutoring, psychoeducational evaluations, medications, and in some cases private school—
that stretch budgets and make paying for college that much more difficult.
So where can parents find this so-called “free” money? The answer is in scholarships and
grants—neither of which is repaid. Scholarships are merit-based, while grants are usually needbased.
Scholarships for Students with LD
Below are scholarship opportunities exclusively for students with disabilities:
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Anne Ford Scholarship: a $10,000 scholarship awarded by the National Center for
Learning Disabilities to a high-school senior with LD who can act as a role model for
others faced with learning disabilities
P. Buckley Moss Society Harrison Scholarship: administers three scholarships, one each
for students seeking a degree in Special Education; high-school seniors with a language
learning difference, and high-school seniors with a language learning disability, artistic
talent, and financial need
Shire ADHD Scholarship: The pharmaceutical company that focuses on ADHD
medication provides 50 scholarships to students with ADHD. Each award recipient
receives a one-time scholarship of $2,000 and one year of ADHD Coaching Services from
the Edge Foundation (approximate value of coaching services: $4,420)
Rise Scholarship: Scholarships for high-school seniors with learning disabilities
Learning Disabilities Association of Iowa: awards three $1,000 scholarships to Iowa highschool seniors
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Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Award: provides a $1,000 scholarship to recognize
students with a learning disability or ADHD age 19 or younger who have demonstrated
initiative, talent, and determination resulting in a notable accomplishment
Pilot International Foundation Scholarships: offers three scholarships for students who
are pursuing careers in disabilities and brain-related disorders
Schwallie Family and Kenneth Jernigan Scholarships: provides five awards of $3,000
each to students with disorders in the autism spectrum
Lilly Center for Reintegration:This scholarship is for students with bipolar disorder and
forms of schizophrenia. The awards vary.
Other Scholarship Options
Athletic scholarships are a possibility if your child is gifted in an NCAA sport. However, before
you count on an athletic scholarship, educate yourself about them as they may not be all you
think they are. In 7 Things You Should Know About Athletic Scholarships US News aims to set
the record straight.
In addition to athletic scholarships, there are many obscure scholarships that fly under the radar.
The best place to locate these opportunities is the website Fast Web. Once you register (which is
free), you’ll receive a personalized list of awards for which you are eligible. Also check out their
helpful scholarship tips and videos.
Other potential sources of scholarship money are local civic organizations—for example, Lion’s
Club, Police Athletic League, Rotary Club, Kiwanis, etc. Employers, too, can sometimes be a
source of scholarship money. Be sure to ask at work.
Finding Grant Opportunities
Following are grant resources for students with disabilities:
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State-based college grants – Check STATE GRANTS, scroll down, and click on your state
for specifics. Also, call your state education agency. Some states have special education
agencies that help disabled residents and their families. These agencies may be able to
connect you with grant opportunities designed for students with LD. Call local
government offices, too. They may be able to hook you up with charities or
organizations that provide grant money.
Individual colleges may offer grants. Check with your college’s Financial Aid Office for
help in securing funds.
You should always fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as it’s your
ticket to free money from all government programs! Your college should notify you if you’re
eligible for a grant.
Below, see grant opportunities open to all college students:
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Federal Pell Grant: awarded to undergraduate students with financial need who
demonstrate satisfactory academic progress. See Federal Student Aid – Pell
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: administered by individual
colleges and awarded to the most financially needy students on a first-come, firstserved basis. Not all colleges participate. See Federal Student Aid – FSEOG
TEACH Grant: awarded to students who plan to become teachers in high-need fields
and/or low-income areas. Requires a teaching commitment after graduation.
See Federal Student Aid – TEACH
Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant: awarded to students whose parents died as a result
of military service in either of these areas. See Federal Student Aid – Iraq/Afghanistan
Service
National SMART Grant: awarded to junior and senior undergraduate students
predominantly interested in math and science fields and other high-demand areas.
Students interested in a SMART grant need to fill out the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Federal College Work-Study program: more than 3,000 colleges participate by
awarding paid on-campus employment to students in financial need. See College
Work/Study
AmeriCorps: a volunteer service organization that matches groups of individuals to notfor-profit, public, and high-need organizations in need of volunteers to work on projects.
For every year of AmeriCorps service you are eligible for nearly $5,000 toward a college
of your choice. See AmeriCorps
College Loans
When financing college, the obvious goal is to maximize “free” money before turning to money
that must be repaid. While loans are not the option of first choice, an article on financial aid
would be incomplete without this information.
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Federal loans (low interest rates and better terms and conditions) come in two
versions—subsidized loans based on financial need (government pays the interest) and
unsubsidized loans (everyone is eligible and payment is deferred until after graduation).
Anyone applying for a government loan must submit the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA).
Private loans should generally be avoided due to high interest rates.
Credit union loans almost always have better interest rates. Some colleges even have
their own credit unions. Be sure to ask.
Athletic Scholarships & Students with LD
An important consideration when looking at sports scholarships for
students with LD is to know your child. Between required practices and
games—both home and away—athletic awards place heavy demands on
students’ time. Student athletes often miss classes and can easily fall
behind. But for some people, the time constraints may work for them. For
renowned LD advocate Jonathan Mooney, who struggled with LD
throughout his schooling, playing college sports was his ticket to a
residential college. Surprisingly, his sports commitment so reduced his
time that it actually imposed structure on him. Suddenly, he worked well
and efficiently. Know, however, that for every Mooney, there are many
more students who collapse under the increased pressure.