Financial Aid and College Scholarship Information for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Written by: Daniel Gleich

Thanks to technological and societal advancements like audiobooks, widespread braille adaptation, and tactile campus navigation tools, life as a blind or visually impaired college student is becoming less difficult. However, financing a post-secondary education can still be a struggle for many. Colleges and universities can be extraordinarily expensive, and affording the cost on your own often seems impossible. Fortunately, there are many scholarship and financial aid programs available for students who are blind or visually impaired. These types of programs can significantly reduce the out-of-pocket cost that keeps so many from furthering their education.

• Jackson-Stricks Scholarship: The Jackson-Stricks Scholarship is run by the National Council of Jewish Women New York and provides financial aid to students with physical disabilities related to vision, mobility, or hearing. It can be used for either academic study or vocational training.
• National Federation of the Blind of Utah: NFB Utah awards up to five scholarships to graduating seniors and full-time college or graduate students who are legally blind in Utah. The scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence and community service.
• National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program: The National Federation of the Blind awards more than $250,000 each year through its scholarship program. The scholarships are given out based on academics, community service, and leadership qualities. You must be legally blind in both eyes to qualify.
• Lighthouse Guild Scholarship: Every year, the Lighthouse Guild awards up to 20 merit-based scholarships to legally blind high school students across the country.
• Blind Service Association Scholarships: The Blind Service Association awards between 20 and 30 scholarships each year to high school students in Illinois. The scholarship amounts range between $750 and $3,000.
• Jack Scura Fund: The Jack Scura Fund awards financial aid to students with disabilities who are currently in or enrolling in an undergraduate program at a New Jersey college or university.
• California Council of the Blind Scholarships: These scholarships from the California Council of the Blind are awarded to legally blind students in California who either are in college now or plan to attend next semester.
• Team See Possibilities Scholarship Program: Team See Possibilities is an organization dedicated to helping blind citizens. Their program awards scholarships of up to $5,000 to blind students pursuing post-secondary education.
• American Council of the Blind Scholarship Program: The ACB awards scholarships of $2,000 to $7,500 to legally blind college students to assist with financial needs such as room and board, tuition, and fees.
• JSU Montgomery Scholarship: The Montgomery Scholarship is awarded by Jacksonville State University to students with a sensory impairment.
• Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Awards: Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Awards are given out each year to blind or visually impaired students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees. The awards are based on leadership, service, and academic performance.
• AIM Center for Independent Living Inc. Scholarship: This scholarship program from the Achieving Independence and Mobility Center awards up to $1,000 per student to those with a documented disability who are attending a college or trade school.
• National Federation of the Blind Texas Scholarship: This program awards financial assistance scholarships to blind students in Texas who have demonstrated excellence in both academics and community service.
• CSU Dale M. Schoettler Scholarship for Visually Impaired Students: This scholarship awards $6,500 to full-time CSU students who are visually impaired or legally blind.
• Wells Fargo Scholarship Program for People With Disabilities: The Wells Fargo Scholarship Program for People With Disabilities provides financial assistance to students living with a disability.
• The Al and Cora Camp Memorial Scholarship: The Al and Cora Camp Memorial Scholarship is awarded to students accepted to a post-secondary educational institute who are either legally blind or dependent on legally blind parents.
• Arthur E. and Helen Copeland Scholarships: This scholarship for $500 is for blind or visually impaired full-time college students. Applicants must be members of the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes.
• Association of Blind Citizens Assistive Technology Fund: The Association of Blind Citizens Assistive Technology Fund provides 50% of the cost of adaptive devices or software to legally blind individuals.
• George Washington University Disability Support Scholarships: Part-time or full-time GWU students with disabilities can apply for these awards to help with the cost of items like books, adaptive technology, and transportation.
• Anne Lowe Scholarship: Legally blind students with a 3.0 or higher GPA can apply for the Anne Lowe scholarship to help fund their college education.
• Dale M. Schoettler Scholarship: The Dale M. Schoettler Scholarship is awarded to San Francisco State and San Jose State University visually impaired students. Students must have a GPA of at least 2.8 to be eligible.
• American Council of the Blind Ohio Scholarships: ACBO offers multiple scholarships for blind or visually impaired students living in Ohio.

Additional Education and Accessibility Information for the Blind and Visually Impaired

• Tips for Blind College Students on Working With Your Professors: This page is full of great advice on how blind or visually impaired college students can work with their college professors to get an early start on the semester.
• Tips for College Students With Visual Impairments: Find out if a college is right for you and accessible to those with visual impairments using this helpful checklist.
• Assistive Technology for Blind or Low-Vision Participants: Learn about various assistive technologies that can help blind or low-vision students with their studying and work in college.
• Helen Keller Services for Teens and Young Adults: Helen Keller Services offers helpful resources like college preparatory courses to blind students.
• Accessible Textbooks for Blind Students: The American Printing House makes it easy for blind or visually impaired college students to find the textbooks they need for their studies.
• Making the Transition from High School to College for Students With Disabilities: Discover the differences between being a high school student with a disability and being a college student with a disability using this informational PDF.
• Students With Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education: This page from the U.S. Department of Education explains the rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities entering college.
• Resources and Support for College Students With Disabilities: This guide provides a wealth of useful information and resources for students with disabilities who are preparing to attend college.
• Visually Impaired Students and Online College: If you're considering an online college, this guide can help explain what resources are available to assist visually impaired students.
• College Handbook for the Blind or Visually Impaired: This PDF from Texas Workforce Solutions is filled with information a blind or visually impaired college student will need as they pursue their degree.
• You're Not Alone: Starting College When You Are Blind or Visually Impaired: Read some tips and advice on how to get started in college as a blind or visually impaired individual, both academically and socially.
• Navigating College With Visual Impairments: Discover how to succeed in your college career as a visually impaired individual with this informative guide.
• Resource Guide for Students With Visual Disabilities: Learn how to transition from high school to college as a visually impaired student by reading this guide.