I have dyslexia and I'm planning for college, but financial aid is necessary. Do you know of any scholarships specifically for people with dyslexia? How do I go about finding them?
There are indeed several scholarships that are dedicated to supporting students with dyslexia and similar learning differences. Here are a few that could be a great fit for you:
1. Anne Ford Scholarship: This scholarship is offered by the National Center for Learning Disabilities and is designed specifically for high school seniors with documented learning disabilities like dyslexia. It awards $10,000, distributed over a four-year period.
2. Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Award: This scholarship is also specifically targeted towards intellectually gifted students with a learning difference like dyslexia. The award varies but can reach up to $5,000.
3. Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship: Also offered by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, this one-time $2,500 scholarship goes to a high school senior with a documented learning disability who will be enrolling in a two-year community college, vocational or technical training program, or a specialized program for students with learning disabilities.
To find these scholarships and more, you can use scholarship search platforms, like Scholarship.com, Fastweb, or Appily. These platforms allow you to customize your search based on various criteria including the presence of a learning difference like dyslexia.
Moreover, try reaching out to your school's financial aid office or your school counselor. They often have resources for recruiting students with learning disabilities or can direct you to local scholarships that may not be on national search engines.
Lastly, consider exploring grants and other forms of financial aid. The Federal Pell Grant, for instance, isn't specifically for students with dyslexia, but it's a valuable program for any student demonstrating financial need. Your overall financial aid package may also consider your academic achievement, community involvement, and unique personal characteristics, including learning differences.
I hope this helps and wish you the best of luck!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.