Are there college scholarships for students with anxiety?

I'm navigating the college application process while managing my anxiety. Are there specific scholarships available for students dealing with anxiety, or any advice on highlighting this in applications?

Absolutely, there are several scholarships aimed at supporting students who are managing mental health conditions such as anxiety. Here are two examples:

1. Swimming Upstream Scholarship: This scholarship seeks to aid students with mental health challenges in achieving their academic goals. Its eligibility criteria often require an essay or personal statement that highlights your experience and resilience in the face of mental health challenges.

2. INCIGHT Scholarship: While not solely focused on mental health, this scholarship targets students with various disabilities, including chronic mental health conditions like anxiety. This scholarship commends the determination demonstrated by students overcoming any form of disability.

Keep in mind that information about these scholarships can change from year to year—always verify the details from the official scholarship pages or the scholarship providers directly.

As for highlighting your anxiety within your applications and essays, the key is to focus on resilience, personal growth, and how these experiences enhanced your perspective and drive. There's a delicate balance to hit here: You want to authentically address your struggles, but the main focus should be your journey of overcoming these issues and your pursuit of personal growth and development. This narrative can underscore your instilled resilience and the unique viewpoint you could bring to a college campus. Remember to avoid substantial focus on the negatives; instead, highlight how you've become stronger, more empathetic, or more capable as a result of your experiences. It's about showcasing your perseverance, not inducing sympathy.

Remember, highlighting personal challenges like anxiety requires a fair amount of vulnerability, so be sure to take care of yourself throughout the process. Good luck with your college journey![