Nursing Scholarships for Students Living with Disabilities

Paying for nursing school can be really challenging, especially when living with a disability. Scholarships for students with disabilities provide funding for undergraduate and graduate degrees through private foundations and public agencies, often tied to certain programs or disabilities.
We’ll share key scholarship opportunities in this article — keep reading to learn more and be sure to connect with your school or program and find out what specific options are available to you.
Undergraduate Nursing Scholarships
Students living with disabilities might not realize the range of scholarships available for nursing school. A great starting point for financial aid opportunities – including graduate school – is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. While the following list of scholarships is not exhaustive, it covers several different funding opportunities for high school and undergraduate students living with disabilities.
AbbVie Cystic Fibrosis Scholarship
Who Can Apply: This scholarship assists 40 exceptional students with cystic fibrosis. Candidates must provide evidence of U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and creativity.
Amount: $3,000
Christopher Mark Pitkin Memorial Scholarship
Who Can Apply: This scholarship supports individuals living with a bleeding disorder or an immediate family member who has one. Applicants must reside in Southern California counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Kern, Inyo and Santa Barbara.
Amount: $250-1,000
Cochlear Americas Academic Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Students who have received Cochlear Nuclear Implants are eligible for this award. Applicants must be a citizen of the U.S. or Canada, high school graduates, and have a 3.0 minimum GPA.
Amount: $2,000
CSU Dale M. Schoettler Scholarship for Visually Impaired Students
Who Can Apply: Students who have a visual impairment and attend any California State University (CSU) campus may apply for this award. Each applicant must have a minimum 2.8 GPA and enroll in at least 6.1 units.
Amount: $10,000
ExceptionalNurse.com College Scholarship Awards
Who Can Apply: Nursing students with a documented disability who have applied to or received admission to full-time nursing programs may apply.
Amount: $250-500
Faith Hope and Love Jesus, Inc. College Scholarship
Who Can Apply: This organization awards an annual undergraduate scholarship to two students who provide documentation of blood disorders or cancer diagnoses. Each candidate must provide a copy of their college acceptance letter or transcript and submit an essay on any topic of their choice.
Amount: $500
Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Students with documented disabilities who are pursuing a college degree are eligible for this scholarship. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, enrolled in a two or four-year undergraduate program, and submit an essay.
Amount: $5,000
GLHF Education Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation provides tuition assistance to students living with bleeding disorders, or their family members. Applicants must reside in Wisconsin or receive care at the Wisconsin Hemophilia Treatment Centers.
Amount: up to $500 per class
International Essential Tremor Foundation
Who Can Apply: Individuals with an essential tremor and hold at least a 3.0 GPA and attend accredited institutions may apply. Applicants must have a record of community service and leadership skills.
Amount: $7,500
JCS Community Services Scholarship
Who Can Apply: The Jewish Federation of Baltimore offers this Jewish Community Services Scholarship to Jewish high school seniors living with learning disabilities. Recipients must attend accredited U.S. schools.
Amount: Varies, average is $4,000
Jennifer Leigh Soper Cystic Fibrosis Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Sponsored by the Blue Grass Community Foundation, this award supports graduating high school students living with cystic fibrosis who plan to attend college. Past recipients may reapply annually.
Amount: $1,000
Kevin Child Scholarship
Who Can Apply: This scholarship assists students with hemophilia A or B who are attending college or vocational school. Applicants must submit a personal essay, official transcripts, and a letter of recommendation.
Amount: $1,000
Mays Mission Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Students with a physical or mental disability and a score of at least 20 on the ACT or 970 on the SAT may apply. Applicants must be enrolled in a four-year undergraduate program, maintain a 3.0 GPA, and agree to provide proof of enrollment each semester.
Amount: Varies
Michael A. Hunter Memorial Scholarship
Who Can Apply: This scholarship is for students with leukemia or lymphoma, or students who lost a parent to leukemia or lymphoma. Recipients must be full-time students, have financial need, and have at least a 3.0 GPA.
Amount: $2,000 – $5,000
Sertoma Scholarship
Who Can Apply: This scholarship assists students who are deaf or hard of hearing, with a minimum of 40dB bilateral hearing loss. Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, have a 3.2 cumulative GPA, and be pursuing a bachelor’s degree on a full-time basis.
Amount: $1,000
Graduate Nursing Scholarships
Several nursing careers require advanced training beyond a bachelor’s degree. This list provides a sample of scholarships for students with disabilities who want to pursue graduate-level education.
Baer Reintegration Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Students who are diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder may apply for this scholarship. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, 18 years or older, receiving treatment for their disorder, and submit three recommendations.
Amount: Varies
Frederick J. Krause Scholarship
Who Can Apply: The American Association on Health and Disability awards this scholarship to students with a disability who are pursuing graduate degrees. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, provide a personal statement, letter of recommendation, transcripts, and be enrolled in a graduate program.
Amount: $1,000
INCIGHT Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Current residents of Washington, Oregon, or California with any type of documented disability may apply for this award. Each recipient must attend higher education, including graduate school, and provide enrollment verification to INCIGHT.
Amount: Varies, starts at $500
LD Resources Assistive Technology Award
Who Can Apply: Students in graduate or undergraduate programs who have a learning disability and recent documentation can apply for a laptop or tablet to support assistive technology. Applicants may not be in their final year of study and must demonstrate financial need.
Amount: Varies, comes in form of assistive equipment
NCCF Survivor Scholarship Program
Who Can Apply: Administered by the National Collegiate Cancer Foundation (NCCF), this award assists cancer survivors or current cancer patients aged 18-35. Each applicant must enroll in an undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral program at an accredited college or university.
Amount: $1,000
NCCS Beyond the Cure Ambassador Scholarship
Who Can Apply: The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS) offers scholarships for graduate or undergraduate students who are under the age of 25 and were diagnosed with cancer before their 18th birthday. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, accepted into post-secondary school, and have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
Amount: $3,500
Soozie Courter Hemophilia Scholarship Program
Who Can Apply: U.S. residents living with hemophilia A or B may apply for this award. Each candidate must demonstrate superior academic standing, submit a persuasive essay, and provide strong letters of recommendation.
Amount: $5,000
UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program
Who Can Apply: Awarded by biopharma company UCB, this scholarship program offers several awards to individuals with epilepsy, their family members, and caregivers pursuing higher education, including graduate training.
Amount: $5,000-10,000
Frequently Asked Questions: Scholarships for Nursing Students with Disabilities
Yes, there are many scholarship opportunities available to students with disabilities. These can help cover the cost of nursing school, as well as materials like textbooks or laptops. Eligibility may vary depending on type of disability, financial need, and program type.
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