Those who are disabled may not have as high of an income as those who are not, simply because they face more challenges in earning a living. Parents who are disabled may be able to help their child pay for college through scholarship programs. There are scholarships for students with disabled parents that will help pay for the cost of college, trade school, and other training programs.
The cost of going to college continues to climb, making it essential that many people receive help paying for their education. There are several options to turn to for those who are in need of scholarships for students with disabled parents. You can also apply with more than one scholarship program, which will help you maximize the amount of funding you can get to help pay for your college classes.
Scholarships for Students with Disabled Parents
Pell Grants – This is the biggest program that offers scholarships for students with disabled parents, as well as others who come from low income families. There is a cap on what you can get through a Pell Grant scholarship, which is $7,000 per year. However, this is money that you will never have to pay back. The grants are given to people who need them and they are considered to be gifts. The amount you can get is determined by several factors, including your status as a student, family income, cost of the school you are attending, and academic plans for the year. You can apply for a Pell Grant each year that you need the assistance paying for your college tuition. The application process can be done online or with the college you plan to attend.
Millie Brother Scholarship – This scholarship is for hearing children of deaf adults. The scholarship is provided through the Children of Deaf Adults International organization. Each year they provide scholarships to help pay for the costs of college. Those who apply for a scholarship will need to write an essay about how your experience of having a deaf parent has helped to shape your life, as well as share with them your future career goals. The scholarships they give are $3,000 each. The new application deadline information is posted each January.
Pinnacol Foundation – This organization provides college scholarships for the child of someone who was killed or disabled during a work-place accident. The scholarship is open to those who are ages 16 to 25, and have a minimum GPA of 2.0. You can reapply for the scholarship each year that you need the assistance. This is one of the scholarships for students with disabled parents that provide yearly funds, with the scholarship being worth $4,700 per year for each student who is approved. You can begin the application process online.
SFM Foundation – This organization provides scholarships for students with disabled parents, with an amount of up to $10,000 per year for a two-year program, or up to five years for a bachelor’s degree. The scholarship is open to the children who have parents who have been disabled due to a workplace disabling injury. If you are approved for the scholarship you may continue to receive it as long as you are staying in school and in good standing. The application window closes each year on March 31st. Funds are paid directly to the school you will be attending. You can begin the application process online.
Paralyzed Veterans of America – This organization provides scholarships to the children of parents who are disabled veterans. The amounts of the scholarships they award are $2,500 for those attending full time, and $1,000 for those who are attending college part time. The application period opens each year in March. In addition to having a parent who is a disabled veteran, you have to also be a legal citizen, and have been accepted into a college program.
In addition to these scholarships for students with disabled parents, be sure to check with your local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) halls. They can be found in towns and cities around the country, and they often provide scholarship opportunities for the students of disabled veterans.
Also, check with the financial aid office of the college you will be attending. They may be able to provide you with a list of local businesses and organizations that give out scholarships. Each scholarship opportunity is a chance to get more money to help pay for college, and they all add up to help you reach your educational goals without acquiring a lot of student loan debt.