Certain criteria determine whether a person is declared as officially disabled. The severity of a person’s autism, Asperger’s, or other similar condition determines if he or she is considered to be disabled. A doctor who diagnoses this looks into the severity of the person’s social interaction, communication, and their degree of restriction with their activities and interests. The doctor takes into consideration fine and gross motor skills, concentration, and personal function in general in addition to these areas.
However, to qualify for scholarships for autistic students, most don’t require a person to have the severity necessary to be classified as disabled. To qualify for college scholarships for students with autism, a person just needs to have a diagnosis from a physician, not a self-diagnosis. Therefore, even someone with a very mild case of Asperger’s may qualify for scholarships for autistic students.
It’s extremely important for a person to read the guidelines of any college scholarships for students with autism to make sure he or she does qualify. If a person doesn’t have a severe enough case, it could result in him or her having to pay back the scholarship money. Keep in mind, some scholarships are specifically for people with disabilities.
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Autism Delaware Scholarships
The Autism Delaware Scholarships offers two scholarships. The first is the Daniel and Lois Gray Memorial Scholarship. Students must be pursuing a degree that pertains to a career in autism at the University of Delaware. The second is for adult students. It is the Adult with Autism Scholarship and is awarded to an individual who is pursuing a college degree and lives in the state of Delaware. These scholarships allow students who are autistic or fall on the autism spectrum to gain an advantage when pursuing their education. Each scholarship is valued at $1,000 with the deadline for submission being February 15.
Autism Delaware is an organization that offers college scholarships for students with autism. The Autism Delaware organization was developed to provide students with autism the resources they need to excel in their chosen career field. By providing scholarships to both a traditional student and an adult who is returning to school, the organization hopes to be able to provide assistance to a more diverse group of individuals.
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Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship
The Avonte Oquendo Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year by the Perecman Personal Injury Law Firm. Named after a young boy with, who subsequently passed away, the law firm offers a $1,000 scholarship in his name. The scholarship is for undergraduate students who have been diagnosed with autism or a close family member of someone who falls on the autism spectrum. The scholarship was created to help students or their family members get the education they need to make a difference in other people’s lives. July 31 is the deadline for submitting the application.
The Perecman Law Firm offers college scholarships for autistic students and their family members as a way of remembering young Avonte Oquendo. The staff of the law firm worked with the young man’s family and lawmakers to create Avonte’s Law that would help to protect young students with autism from becoming victims of circumstance. Through the development of this scholarship, the law firm hopes to help students earn their degree and make a difference for their friends and family members with autism.
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CAPED Scholarship Cycle
CAPED stands for California Association for Postsecondary Education and Disability. The association offers college scholarships for students with autism and other disabilities. Multiple scholarships are awarded based on the students’ needs as well as other significant factors. The number and amount of each scholarship differ from year to year. In order to apply, students must complete the application and provide the necessary documentation by the August 16 deadline.
CAPED works diligently as an advocate for individuals who have autism or another type of disability. For almost 50 years, CAPED has promoted the development and advancement of educational opportunities for adults and students with autism and other forms of disabilities. CAPED continues to offer college scholarships for autistic students so that they can continue to move forward in achieving their goals.
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Dan Archwamety Scholarship
The Dan Archwamety Scholarship is offered to students who have received a diagnosis of autism or of a disorder that falls on the autism spectrum. The scholarships can be used at an accredited college/university or at a vocational school. In order for the student to receive the scholarship, they must be enrolled in the school of their choice. Named after a young man who lost his life in a bike/truck accident, the scholarship is meant to provide financial assistance and support to students who are interested in furthering their education. Scholarships are valued at $500. The deadline for students to apply for the scholarship is April 4.
The Autism Society of Nebraska offers the Dan Archwamety Scholarship to college students who have been diagnosed with autism or other disorder on the autism spectrum. The Autism Society acts as an advocate for children and adults who have autism. The ultimate goal is to advocate for and support those who need it the most. By offering the scholarship, the organization hopes to assist those who face obstacles and allow them to move forward so they can achieve their goals.
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FSD Science Graduate Student Grant Fund
The Foundation for Science and Disability works with the American Association for the Advancement of Science in an attempt to provide students with disabilities opportunities to earn degrees that allow them to pursue careers in science and research. The goal of the Student Award Program of FSD is to make sure opportunities are available for students with disabilities who are interested in pursuing degrees in mathematics, engineering, technology, and science. The organization offers college scholarships to autistic students in the amount of $1,000. The deadline for enrollment is December.
FSD works with the USDA Agricultural Research Service are not affiliated in any other way than working together to provide students interested in science and research an opportunity to pursue a career in that field. By working together, the two organizations can provide valuable assistance to students who are interested in the different types of science and research areas available through each organization.
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Incight Educational Scholarships
Incight Educational Scholarships are awarded to students who live in California, Oregon, and Washington. For a student to be considered for one of the scholarships from Incight, they must have been diagnosed with autism, a disorder on the autism spectrum, or one of several other disabilities. Students must show strong leadership abilities as well as be active in their school or community. Students can use their scholarship to attend a trade school, vocational program, college or university. The number of scholarships varies from year to year, as does the amount of each award. April 1 is the deadline for all applications and submissions.
The goal of Incight as an organization is to provide students opportunities for education. Through education, the goal is to help them find employment and eventually independence. By providing college scholarships to students with autism and other forms of disabilities the resources they need to succeed, more and more will be able to reach a level of independence they may have never thought possible.
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Kelly Law Team Autism Scholarship
The Kelly Law Team Autism Scholarship is a college scholarship that is awarded to students who have been diagnosed with one or more of the autism spectrum disorders. Applicants must be citizens of the United States and ready to enroll in a college, university, or trade school. Once the scholarship has been awarded, the money will be paid directly to the school the winning student chooses. Scholarships will be paid in the amount of $1,000. The deadline for submitting applications will be February 5.
The Kelly Law Team offers college scholarships to students with autism in the hopes of providing financial support, as well as the encouragement many students need when they choose to attend college. The Team has been offering scholarships since 2016. It is their sincere hope that the scholarships will have a positive impact on each student who receives one.
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KFM Making a Difference
The KFM/Making a Difference scholarship was established to do just what it says, make a difference in a young student’s life. Donations that are sent to the foundation are put directly into the scholarship fund to help students with disabilities get the education they deserve. The college scholarships offered by KFM/Make a Difference are given to students who have been diagnosed with autism or other disorders that are on the autism spectrum. Each scholarship is valued at $500. The deadline for submitting an application is April 30.
The primary focus on the KFM/Making a Difference organization is to provide financial assistance through college scholarships for students with autism. The goal of each scholarship that is awarded to a student is to make a difference in their lives. For the last 11 years, the organization has been offering scholarships and doing what it can to provide resources to students with special needs.
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Organization for Autism Research (OAR) - Schwallie Family Scholarship
The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) offers the Schwallie Family Scholarship to students who meet the eligibility requirements and have been diagnosed with autism. College scholarships are offered to autistic students in an attempt to minimize the financial burden of attending college. The scholarships can be used for vocational programs, two- and four-year degree programs as well as cooperative life skills programs that teach students how to be more independent and self-reliant. Scholarships are worth $3,000 each. The deadline for entering an application is May 6.
The Organization for Autism Research is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals who have been diagnosed with autism. Ed Schwallie was a Board member of the organization. Through his family’s generous donations, the organization can offer these college scholarships for students with autism. The scholarships have helped hundreds of students across the country fulfill their dream of attending college.
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Varghese Summersett PLLC Annual Scholarships
The Varghese Summersett PLLC Annual Scholarships are annual college scholarships for students with autism and other autism spectrum disorders. The organization offers several scholarships for students who are interested in pursuing different careers. All scholarships are awarded to students with documented cases of autism in an attempt to ensure they get the most support possible on their educational journey. Each scholarship is worth $500. April 1 is the deadline for students to submit their applications.
The attorneys at Varghese Summersett PLLC understand the struggles that students with autism face. They hope that providing these scholarships, they can assist the students in gaining an advantage in school. By providing scholarships to special needs students, the attorneys also encourage the students to reach for their goals and work hard to achieve them.
Are Students Anywhere on the Autism Spectrum Qualified?
When searching for college scholarships for students with autism spectrum disorders, it’s vital to understand that not every scholarship is the same. Each one has their own guidelines and restrictions that a person needs to understand before applying. Sometimes, the requirements may limit the scholarships for autistic students to those who are high functioning while others for people who are lower on the spectrum. It all depends upon that particular scholarship.
As a person is looking for college scholarships for autistic students, it’s important to understand that some are through the college, others are through autism disorder groups, and some are from individuals or private groups. Each one of them has the right to place limitations on the college scholarships for autistic students based on what they feel is most important in the candidates they select.
Besides college scholarships for students with autism, a person may also qualify for government assistance through grants and loans, just as any other student would. Therefore, a person with autism can apply for state and federal assistance and receive funding for school. Rather than taking into consideration the student’s medical condition, state and federal programs look at the prospective pupil’s income and his or her family’s income. Additionally, a person with autism still qualifies for grants and scholarships based on the program he or she chooses. A person can also look into assistance for people with autism.
Do I Have to Interview for Autism Scholarships?
One vital aspect of applying for scholarships for students with autism is the qualification process. This varies from scholarship to scholarship. Some may require the student to provide recommendations while others may require that a student write why he or she is deserving of the scholarship. Additionally, the prospective student may need to show proof he or she has autism. This isn’t to single out the student, but it’s to help deter people who don’t have autism from applying for the particular scholarship. Sometimes, college scholarships for students with autism spectrum disorders require a student to have an interview with whoever is in charge of determining eligibility, but this isn’t necessary for every scholarship.
The KFM Autism scholarship is a scholarship through the KFM Making a Difference organization. They provide $500 toward education expenses for students with autism. They require the student to write a cover letter and resume. Any interested applicants will need to have at least one reference letter. Additionally, to qualify, a prospective student must write an essay that encourages or inspires those with autism. The essay may also be about enhancing the understanding of autism for those who don’t have autism or know somebody personally with it.
Although the OAR Scholarships for Students with Autism doesn’t require a person to conduct an interview, they make it so the person has other options for applying if he or she isn’t able to communicate through writing. OAR, the Organization for Autism Research provides qualifying students with $3,000 toward the cost of their educational expenses. To qualify, a potential student must fill out their online application. Part of the process consists of answering three essay questions. Additionally, the student must provide insight into their diagnosis, although it doesn’t have to be in depth. For students who have limited speaking or writing abilities, it’s possible to qualify for the scholarship by supplying the organization with two letters of recommendation rather than answering essay questions.
Basically, when applying for scholarships, a person should read the guidelines and see what they need to provide before applying. Often, whoever is in charge of the scholarship may alter the requirements if a student is unable to have an interview or write an essay.
Related:
Scholarships for Disabled Students
Scholarships for Students with Learning Disabilities
30 Best Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities
10 Important Facts About Learning Disabilities and Online College