<p>Paying for college is a complicated process for any aspiring student. It’s a process that raises a ton of questions: What’s a Pell Grant? What’s a Perkins Loan? Do I have to pay anything back? For students with a disability, those questions are even more complicated.</p><p>The good news: A disability is not an impediment to a college education. There are plenty of resources for those who need help applying and paying for it.</p><p>This guide, designed to work with assistive technology, can help you find these resources. Aspiring students with disabilities can use our table of contents to find the best scholarships for them. At the bottom of the page, we also list some tips on how to get federal and private aid.</p>		
			<a href="https://www.bankrate.com/loans/student-loans/guide-to-paying-for-college-with-disabilities/" role="button">
						By Michael Pearl    
					</a>
			<a href="https://twitter.com/Bankrate" role="button">
						Michael Pearl's Twitter profile
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															<img src="https://ilcac7717.dev34.info/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/student-in-a-wheelchair--pe308kedhjrz7czyfw8ypcccgce63c080axko6w24k.jpeg" title="student in a wheelchair" alt="student in a wheelchair" />															
			<h2>Table of contents</h2>		
					<ul>
							<li>
											<a href="#general_disabilities">
										Scholarships for general disabilities
											</a>
									</li>
								<li>
											<a href="#physical_disabilities">
										Scholarships for physical disabilities
											</a>
									</li>
								<li>
											<a href="#hearing_disabilities">
										Scholarships for hearing impairments
											</a>
									</li>
								<li>
											<a href="#visual_disabilities">
										Scholarships for visual impairments
											</a>
									</li>
								<li>
										Scholarships for learning disabilities
									</li>
								<li>
										Scholarships for autism
									</li>
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										Scholarships for health conditions
									</li>
								<li>
										Different types of financial aid
									</li>
								<li>
										Getting federal aid – Types of federal aid
									</li>
								<li>
										Getting federal aid – Filling out the FAFSA
									</li>
								<li>
										Getting federal aid – CTP programs and ABLE accounts
									</li>
								<li>
										Getting private aid
									</li>
								<li>
										Know your rights
									</li>
								<li>
										FAQ
									</li>
								<li>
										About this guide
									</li>
						</ul>
			<h3>Scholarships for general disabilities</h3>		
		<p>The following scholarships are open to aspiring students with nonspecific disabilities.</p><p><strong>The American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability</strong></p><p>The AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability is awarded to a student with a disability who is currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate school degree related to health and disability. Fields of study may include:</p><ul><li>Public health.</li><li>Health promotion.</li><li>Disability studies.</li><li>Disability research.</li><li>Rehabilitation engineering.</li><li>Audiology.</li><li>Disability policy.</li><li>Special education.</li><li>Other majors that affect quality of life of persons with disabilities.</li></ul><p>Applicants must provide a personal statement and two letters of recommendation. Applicants must be enrolled full time in an undergraduate program or full- or part time in a graduate program.</p>		
			<a href="https://aahd.us/initiatives/scholarship-program/" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> Up to $1,000<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the scholarship program for the 2020-21 school year has been suspended until further notice.</p><p><strong>Mays Mission for the Handicapped Scholarship Program</strong></p><p>Mays Mission for the Handicapped is a nonprofit organization that offers vocational training in a variety of fields for individuals with disabilities. Mays Mission also offers scholarships to students with physical and/or mental disabilities. Applicants must score 20 or higher on the ACT or 970 or higher on the SAT.</p><p>Applicants must be enrolled in a four-year undergraduate study program and provide proof of enrollment. Once they have been accepted, recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA. Recipients must also submit grades each semester and write a monthly “update letter” to the mission.</p>		
			<a href="https://www.maysmission.org/scholarships/" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> Award amount varies<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> June 30</p><p><strong>Chicago Injury Center’s Annual Scholarship Fund for Disabled Veterans</strong></p><p>The Chicago Injury Center offers a scholarship for veterans who have suffered a physical or emotional injury. Applicants must plan to or currently be enrolled in trade schools, community colleges or any college or university in the U.S.</p><p>Applicants must write a 500-plus word essay on challenges they have had to overcome as a veteran with a disability. Veterans must also detail how these challenges have prepared them to succeed in their course of study.</p><p>Applicants must maintain a 2.5 GPA and provide proof of honorable discharge.</p>		
			<a href="https://chicagoinjurycenter.com/cic-veteran-scholarship-fund/" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> $250, $500, $1,000<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> Previous applications were due on June 1</p><p><strong>The Ability Center Scholarship</strong></p><p>The Ability Center of Greater Toledo offers a number of scholarships totaling $20,000 to Toledo-area students with disabilities.</p><p>Applicants must currently be enrolled in a postsecondary (undergraduate or graduate) degree program. To apply, applicants must provide a one- to two-page personal statement and three references. Applicants must carry a 3.0 GPA.</p>		
			<a href="https://www.abilitycenter.org/programs/scholarship-application/" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> Award varies, totaling $20,000<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> March 31, 2021</p><p><strong>Michigan Foundation for Exceptional Children (MFEC) Scholarships</strong></p><p>The Michigan Council for Exceptional Children provides scholarships for Michigan students with disabilities. Applicants must no longer be eligible for special education and Section 504 programs, whether via graduation or reaching 26 years of age.</p><p>Awards up to $1,500 can support the following:</p><ul><li>Transportation.</li><li>Special equipment.</li><li>Tutoring (including tuition).</li></ul><p>Applicants must reside in a school district in the state of Michigan and submit a written essay on their career goals, leadership skills and other subjects. Applicants must also submit three letters of recommendation.</p>		
			<a href="https://michigancec.org/mfec-scholarships" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> Up to $1,500<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> May 22, 2021</p><p><strong>Buckfire &amp; Buckfire, P.C. Disability Scholarship Program</strong></p><p>Buckfire Law Firm offers a scholarship for college or university students of any age, with any type of disability. That can include, among others, physical disabilities, mental or psychiatric conditions and learning disabilities.</p><p>Applicants must have completed at least one semester of classes at an accredited college or university. Applicants must also have a disability diagnosis from “any person qualified to make a diagnosis.”</p><p>Applicants must include documentation of their disability and a transcript of their most recent semester in their application. Applicants must also submit a one-page typed essay describing how they overcame adversity caused by their disability and what they learned from their experience.</p>		
			<a href="https://buckfirelaw.com/scholarships/disability/" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> $1,000<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> Oct. 1, 2021</p><p><strong>California-Hawaii Elks Undergraduate Scholarship Program for Students with Disabilities</strong></p><p>The California-Hawaii Elks Major Project, Inc. provides a number of scholarships to students who are residents of California or Hawaii and who have one of the following:</p><ul><li>Physical impairment.</li><li>Neurological impairment.</li><li>Visual impairment.</li><li>Hearing impairment.</li><li>Speech language disorder.</li></ul><p>Funds are only used to cover academic expenses, which includes tuition, books, lab fees and on-campus room and board.</p><p>Applicants must obtain Elks sponsorship by contacting an elected Elks Lodge officer in the state of California or Hawaii. To qualify, applicants must be a senior in high school or a high school graduate or have passed the GED. Applicants must plan to obtain an undergraduate degree at an accredited community college, vocational school or four-year college.</p>		
			<a href="https://chea-elks.org/youth-activities/scholarships" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> $1,000 to $3,000 each<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> March 15, 2021</p><p><strong>Auger &amp; Auger Disabled Scholar Award</strong></p><p>Auger &amp; Auger Attorneys at Law offer two $1,000 awards per year to students with disabilities pursuing an undergraduate degree. To qualify, applicants must either be a current graduating high school senior accepted to an accredited school or an undergraduate student at an accredited institution. Applicants must also have a minimum 2.8 GPA.</p><p>Applicants must write a 500- to 1,000-word essay on one of the following topics:</p><ul><li>Overcoming their disability to do something extraordinary.</li><li>How lessons learned from living with their disability have helped them prepare for college and postgraduate plans.</li></ul><p>Applicants must also provide an unofficial copy of their transcript.</p>		
			<a href="http://www.augerlaw.com/disabled-scholar-award/" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> $1,000<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> Fall semester: July 31; spring semester: Nov. 30</p><p><strong>Wells Fargo Scholarship Program for People With Disabilities</strong></p><p>The Wells Fargo Scholarship Program for People with Disabilities is designed to help people with disabilities obtain the education or training necessary to succeed in the career path of their choice.</p><p>To qualify, applicants must have an identified disability and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants must be a high school senior or graduate who plans to enroll, or is already enrolled, at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university. Applicants can pursue full-time or half-time study. Scholarships are also renewable.</p><p>Previously, Wells Fargo accepted online applications through Nov. 28 or until 700 applications had been submitted. If the program is currently closed, you can choose to be notified when it reopens.</p>		
			<a href="https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/pwdscholarship/" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> $2,500 for full-time study and $1,250 for half-time study<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> Applications are currently closed. If you would like to receive a notification when the application process opens back up, you can select that option on the website.</p>		
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			<h3>Scholarships for physical disabilities</h3>		
		<p>The following scholarships are available to students with physical disabilities. That can include past or present mobility, dexterity or stamina issues. This section does not include blindness or deafness — those are covered under visual and hearing impairment, respectively.</p><p><strong>1800wheelchair.com Scholarship</strong></p><p>This scholarship funds up to two $500 awards each year. Applicants must be in their final year of high school or enrolled at the graduate or undergraduate level. Applicants must submit an essay and a visual poem (combined total of 500 to 1,000 words) on the theme of overcoming personal challenges. Applicants must also maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.</p><p>Applications are only accepted via postal mail (excluding express mail).</p>		
			<a href="http://www.1800wheelchair.com/scholarship/" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> $500<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> Previous applications were due on May 30, 2020</p><p><strong>Karman Healthcare Scholarship Fund</strong></p><p>Karman Healthcare offers two $500 scholarships for students with a mobility disability who use a wheelchair or other mobility devices on a regular basis. Applicants must currently be enrolled at an accredited college or university in the U.S. and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA.</p><p>Applicants must submit an essay answering a rotating theme every year. (The 2020 theme: Pick an experience from your own life and explain how it has influenced your development.)</p>		
			<a href="https://www.karmanhealthcare.com/scholarships/" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> $500<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> Applications for the 2020 scholarship closed on Sept. 1</p><p><strong>Mary Free Bed Guild Disability Scholarship</strong></p><p>The Mary Free Bed Guild offers a scholarship to students with a diagnosed physical disability related to a:</p><ul><li>Brain injury.</li><li>Spinal cord injury.</li><li>Stroke.</li><li>Limb difference.</li><li>Any other serious acquired or congenital neurological condition treatable through rehabilitation.</li></ul><p>Applicants must be currently enrolled in or accepted into an accredited college or university with at least a half-time status and with at least a 2.5 GPA. Applicants must also be a permanent resident of Michigan. The ideal applicant may have spent time in volunteer, community service or other extracurricular activities.</p>		
			<a href="https://www.maryfreebed.com/jobs/minority-disability-scholarships/" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> $1,000 to $5,000<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> April 1, 2021</p><p><strong>Marianjoy Scholarship Program</strong></p><p>The Northwestern Memorial Foundation Marianjoy Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students with permanent physical disabilities or functional impairments. Applicants must be permanent residents of specified Illinois counties. Applicants must also be high school seniors (by diploma or GED) or be enrolled half time or full time at an accredited two-year or four-year university.</p><p>To apply, candidates must submit a one- to two-page personal profile stressing:</p><ul><li>Financial need.</li><li>Educational goals.</li><li>Career plans.</li><li>Extracurricular activities.</li><li>Any awards or honors.</li></ul><p>Applicants must also include a transcript and two letters of recommendation.</p>		
			<a href="https://foundation.nm.org/scholarships/" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> Not specified<br /><strong>Deadline</strong>: April 30, 2021</p>		
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			<h3>Scholarships for hearing impairments</h3>		
		<p>The following scholarships are available to students with hearing impairments or to students who have family members with hearing impairments. Hearing impairments include deafness, bilateral hearing loss or mixed forms of hearing loss.</p><p><strong>Travelers Protective Association Scholarship Trust for the Hearing Impaired</strong></p><p>The Travelers Protective Association (TPA) provides financial aid to people with deafness or hearing impairment. Recipients will benefit from specialized treatment or education and should be unable to provide the funds for themselves.</p><p>Candidates must submit an online application detailing the nature of their hearing deficiency, as well as any prior medical treatment and how they intend to use their funds. Applicants must also attach a copy of their most recent federal income tax return. Applications must be submitted by adults or by the guardian of a minor.</p>		
			<a href="https://www.tpahq.org/scholarshiptrust/apply/" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> $100 to $1,000<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> March 31, June 30, Sept. 30 and Dec. 31</p><p><strong>Millie Brother Scholarship for Hearing Children of Deaf Adults</strong></p><p>The Millie Brother Scholarship is a twice-yearly scholarship awarded to the hearing children of deaf adults pursuing undergraduate or graduate study. Students must submit a two-page essay describing how their experience with deaf parents has shaped their life, goals and career aspirations.</p><p>Applications must include an official high school or college transcript (if the applicant is currently enrolled), as well as two sealed letters of recommendation from teachers.</p><p>Applicants can apply for both scholarships, but a separate essay is required for each submission.</p>		
			<a href="https://www.coda-international.org/scholarship" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> Award varies; average of two $3,000 scholarships given annually<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> Applications are currently closed but will open up in March 2021</p><h3>Alexander Graham Bell College Scholarship Program</h3><p>The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing offers a number of scholarships for certain students with bilateral hearing loss who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree full time.</p><p>There are a variety of merit-based scholarships available in different categories, but on average applicants must:</p><ul><li>Have bilateral hearing loss diagnosed before the age of 4.</li><li>Use Listening and Spoken Language as their primary communication mode.</li><li>Be enrolled in or planning to attend a mainstream university and working toward a four-year undergraduate or graduate degree.</li></ul><p>Applicants must maintain an unweighted 3.25 GPA and include their transcripts in their application. Applicants with hearing aids must include a recent unaided audiogram. Applicants with cochlear implants (CI) must include a recent CI report. Check the scholarship guidelines for more detailed information.</p>		
			<a href="http://www.agbell.org/Connect/AG-Bell-College-Scholarship-Program" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> Award varies<br /><strong>Deadline</strong>: Varies per year; check the official website for opening and closing dates</p><p><strong>Graeme Clark Scholarship</strong></p><p>The Cochlear Graeme Clark Scholarship is awarded to Cochlear Nucleus Implant recipients who are undertaking university studies. Applicants must have a Cochlear Nucleus Implant and maintain a 3.0 GPA. Applicants must be enrolled in (or planning to attend) an accredited college, university or technical school.</p><p>Winners are selected on the basis of:</p><ul><li>Academic achievement.</li><li>Extracurricular activities and community involvement.</li><li>Commitment to Cochlear ideals of leadership and humanity.</li></ul>		
			<a href="https://www.cochlear.com/us/recipients/nucleus-6/nucleus-6-support-and-community/scholarships/scholarship-details" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> $2,000 annually for up to four years<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> Sept. 30, 2021</p><p><strong>Sertoma’s Scholarship for the Hard of Hearing or Deaf</strong></p><p>Sertoma’s Scholarship for the Hard of Hearing or Deaf is available to students with clinically significant bilateral hearing loss who are pursuing a four-year bachelor’s degree. The scholarship is open to high school seniors as well as college students. Applicants must maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA.</p><p>Students must include two recommendation letters with their application. The application also requires descriptions of any volunteer, interscholastic or extracurricular activities, as well as a personal statement. Applicants must attach a recent audiogram (no older than two years) from a hearing health professional to qualify.</p>		
			<a href="https://sertoma.org/what-we-do/scholarships/" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> $1,000<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> March 30, 2021</p>		
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					</a>
			<h3>Scholarships for visual impairments</h3>		
		<p>The following scholarships are available to students with hearing impairments or to students who have family members with hearing impairments. Hearing impairments include deafness, bilateral hearing loss or mixed forms of hearing loss.</p><p><strong>Travelers Protective Association Scholarship Trust for the Hearing Impaired</strong></p><p>The Travelers Protective Association (TPA) provides financial aid to people with deafness or hearing impairment. Recipients will benefit from specialized treatment or education and should be unable to provide the funds for themselves.</p><p>Candidates must submit an online application detailing the nature of their hearing deficiency, as well as any prior medical treatment and how they intend to use their funds. Applicants must also attach a copy of their most recent federal income tax return. Applications must be submitted by adults or by the guardian of a minor.</p>		
			<a href="https://www.tpahq.org/scholarshiptrust/apply/" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> $100 to $1,000<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> March 31, June 30, Sept. 30 and Dec. 31</p><p><strong>Millie Brother Scholarship for Hearing Children of Deaf Adults</strong></p><p>The Millie Brother Scholarship is a twice-yearly scholarship awarded to the hearing children of deaf adults pursuing undergraduate or graduate study. Students must submit a two-page essay describing how their experience with deaf parents has shaped their life, goals and career aspirations.</p><p>Applications must include an official high school or college transcript (if the applicant is currently enrolled), as well as two sealed letters of recommendation from teachers.</p><p>Applicants can apply for both scholarships, but a separate essay is required for each submission.</p>		
			<a href="https://www.coda-international.org/scholarship" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> Award varies; average of two $3,000 scholarships given annually<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> Applications are currently closed but will open up in March 2021</p><h3>Alexander Graham Bell College Scholarship Program</h3><p>The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing offers a number of scholarships for certain students with bilateral hearing loss who are pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree full time.</p><p>There are a variety of merit-based scholarships available in different categories, but on average applicants must:</p><ul><li>Have bilateral hearing loss diagnosed before the age of 4.</li><li>Use Listening and Spoken Language as their primary communication mode.</li><li>Be enrolled in or planning to attend a mainstream university and working toward a four-year undergraduate or graduate degree.</li></ul><p>Applicants must maintain an unweighted 3.25 GPA and include their transcripts in their application. Applicants with hearing aids must include a recent unaided audiogram. Applicants with cochlear implants (CI) must include a recent CI report. Check the scholarship guidelines for more detailed information.</p>		
			<a href="http://www.agbell.org/Connect/AG-Bell-College-Scholarship-Program" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> Award varies<br /><strong>Deadline</strong>: Varies per year; check the official website for opening and closing dates</p><p><strong>Graeme Clark Scholarship</strong></p><p>The Cochlear Graeme Clark Scholarship is awarded to Cochlear Nucleus Implant recipients who are undertaking university studies. Applicants must have a Cochlear Nucleus Implant and maintain a 3.0 GPA. Applicants must be enrolled in (or planning to attend) an accredited college, university or technical school.</p><p>Winners are selected on the basis of:</p><ul><li>Academic achievement.</li><li>Extracurricular activities and community involvement.</li><li>Commitment to Cochlear ideals of leadership and humanity.</li></ul>		
			<a href="https://www.cochlear.com/us/recipients/nucleus-6/nucleus-6-support-and-community/scholarships/scholarship-details" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> $2,000 annually for up to four years<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> Sept. 30, 2021</p><p><strong>Sertoma’s Scholarship for the Hard of Hearing or Deaf</strong></p><p>Sertoma’s Scholarship for the Hard of Hearing or Deaf is available to students with clinically significant bilateral hearing loss who are pursuing a four-year bachelor’s degree. The scholarship is open to high school seniors as well as college students. Applicants must maintain a minimum 3.2 GPA.</p><p>Students must include two recommendation letters with their application. The application also requires descriptions of any volunteer, interscholastic or extracurricular activities, as well as a personal statement. Applicants must attach a recent audiogram (no older than two years) from a hearing health professional to qualify.</p>		
			<a href="https://sertoma.org/what-we-do/scholarships/" role="button">
						Click here to visit the official website and apply for this scholarship.
					</a>
		<p><strong>Amount:</strong> $1,000<br /><strong>Deadline:</strong> March 30, 2021</p>		
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			<h3>Community Access Center Never Charges A Fee For Services Provided.</h3>		
			<h1>We Advocate for you!</h1>		
			<h4>Investigation of discrimination claims and mediation on behalf of people with disabilities in order to resolve conflicts that impede the attainment of needed benefits and services.</h4>		
			<h3>Consumer Rights Notification</h3>		
		<p><em><strong>Every consumer of the Community Access Center has the right to appeal any decision which denies you service. (NOTE: The appeal must follow certain guidelines and time limitations; ask your service provider for a copy of the procedure).If you desire representation in addressing your concerns/dissatisfaction with the Community Access Center (CAC), you have the right to contact the Client Assistance Program (CAP) for assistance. Contact the CAP at 1 (800) 776-5746, (and for the hearing impaired their TTY 1 (800) 576-9269), and you will be referred to a Client Assistance Program not connected with CAC. This will prevent any potential conflict of interest.</strong></em></p>