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Attending college can be an exciting and enriching experience. It can also be a costly one. In addition to tuition, fees, books, and supplies, other expenses to think about include room and board, health insurance, transportation, and spending money. In 2006-2007, the average total annual cost for a four-year public university was $5,836 and for a four-year private university $22,218. That means that your cost for four years of school could range from $23,000 to $88,000. Don't let the costs scare you. You can meet college costs through a combination of financial aid and other outside funding resources.
Financial aid is available to help students and their families pay for or supplement payment of educational expenses after high school. Common forms of financial aid include grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships. Students with disabilities may also be eligible for disability-related federal and state programs that offer financial support. Many students use a combination of these financial aid resources.
It is important to remember that financial aid results in a partnership of the student, parents, postsecondary educational institutions, state and federal governments, and/or private organizations. Such a partnership requires cooperation, communication, and an understanding by each of their responsibilities within the financial aid process.
The financial aid office at the school you plan to attend is a good place to begin your search for financial aid information. The financial aid administrator can tell you about student aid available from your state, the school itself, and other sources.
The programs described below are administered by the U.S. Department of Education and provide billions of dollars each year to students attending postsecondary schools. Not all schools participate in all federal student aid programs. Check with your high school guidance counselor or the financial aid officer at a postsecondary institution to make sure your destination school participates in the federal program(s) you are interested in.
Federal Pell Grants are available to undergraduate students only and they do not have to be repaid.
Federal Stafford Loans are based on financial need, are available to both undergraduate and graduate students, vary in maximum value each year of study, and must be repaid. The interest rate is variable. If you qualify (based on need) for a subsidized Stafford loan, the government will pay the interest on your loan while you are in school, during grace periods, and during any deferment periods.
Federal PLUS Loans are unsubsidized loans made to parents. If you are independent or your parents cannot get a PLUS loan, you are eligible to borrow additional Stafford Loan funds. The interest rate is variable.
Campus-Based Programs are administered by participating schools. Three of these programs are described below.
For more information on federal student aid programs consult http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/ or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800-433-3243 or 800-730-8913 (TTY). An online application can be found at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
SSI is a program that pays monthly benefits to people with low incomes and limited assets who are sixty-five years of age or older, are blind, or have other disabilities. Children can qualify if they meet Social Security's definition of disability for SSI children and if their income and assets fall within the eligibility limits.
As its name implies, Supplemental Security Income supplements a person's income up to a certain level. The level varies from one state to another and may increase each year to reflect changes in cost-of-living. Your local Social Security office can tell you about SSI benefit levels in your state.
Parent income and assets are considered when deciding if a child under eighteen qualifies for SSI. This applies to children who live at home or who are away at school but return home occasionally and are subject to parental control. When a child turns eighteen, parent income and assets are no longer considered when determining eligibility for SSI. Therefore, a child who was not eligible for SSI before his or her eighteenth birthday may become eligible at age eighteen.
The Social Security Administration may also approve a Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS), in which a student is able to set aside income and resources that are being used toward a specific vocational goal (such as college tuition) and still receive SSI payments. However, be aware that earnings from employment may affect SSI benefits.
For more information on SSI and PASS, contact your local Social Security Administration office or consult http://www.ssa.gov/disability/.
Your state vocational rehabilitation (VR) office helps people with disabilities prepare for, obtain and retain employment. Vocational rehabilitation programs are custom-designed for each individual. Typically, you may be eligible for services if a VR counselor determines that you meet the following three conditions:
A state VR agency provides a wide range of services for helping clients get or keep jobs. VR services include assessment services, counseling and guidance, training (school), job related services, rehabilitation technology (assistive technology), independent living, and a variety of support services.
To locate a state vocational rehabilitation office near you, consult the state government listings in your phone book under "Vocational Rehabilitation" or consult http://www.jan.wvu.edu/sbses/vocrehab.htm.
Nearly all states offer financial assistance in the form of state grants and loans. Details and information can be obtained from a college financial aid office or a high school guidance counselor. To find out which agency in your state may offer financial assistance for higher education, consult http://www.ed.gov/Programs/bastmp/SHEA.htm.
Scholarships are gifts and awards based on a student's academic achievement, background, or other criteria. Disability-specific scholarships are quite limited. Students with disabilities are encouraged to also pursue scholarships open to other students.
A good first step in your scholarship search is to start locally. Check with your parents, employers, and local organizations. Below you'll find other resources that may help you locate financial aid. Be sure to check with your high school guidance counselor, your college or university's financial aid office, the department chairman at your chosen school, and your college or local library.
Employers. Parents can check with personnel administrators to see if their employers offer financial aid, tuition reimbursement, or scholarships for employee's children. Many large companies offer such benefits. If you are employed or volunteering, ask your company if they offer scholarships. Also, check local and national disability organizations for scholarship resources.
Organizations. Are you or your parents involved with any professional or social organizations such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Rotary International, or Elks Club? Many organizations offer scholarships. The Elks Club, for example, offers millions of dollars each year in scholarships for graduating high school students. Is a parent a member of a Union? Major labor unions (AFLCIO, Teamsters, etc.) offer scholarships for members and their dependent children. If you are not a member of an organization, check with organizations that are related to your chosen field of study. For example, if you plan to study aeronautical engineering, check with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. This organization offers dozens of undergraduate scholarships each year.
Religious Groups. Your church or synagogue may have scholarships available. If your local congregation does not offer scholarships, check with the headquarters of your religious affiliation, if applicable.
Chamber of Commerce. Your local Chamber of Commerce may be able to offer small grants or scholarships to local students, especially if you are planning on pursuing a career in business.
Take the PSAT. The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a co-sponsored program by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The PSAT/NMSQT gives you practice for the SAT, but it also gives you a chance to qualify for scholarship and recognition programs.
Search the web! Using Internet search engines, run searches on "scholarships," "financial aid," "grants," "colleges," etc.
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that engage more than 50,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. AmeriCorps jobs are open to U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents aged seventeen or older. Members serve full- or part-time over a ten- to twelve-month period. Participants receive an education award to pay for college or graduate school, or to pay back student loans. They also receive health insurance, training, and student loan deferment. For more information on AmeriCorps, call 1-800-942-2677 (TTY 1-800-833-3722) or consult http://www.americorps.org/.
The websites listed below provide information about financial aid resources and scholarships that college-bound students with disabilities and parents might find useful. This list is updated regularly. Please send comments, corrections, and new information to doit@u.washington.edu.
Incight Go Getter Scholarship
Incight
971-244-0305
http://www.incight.org/incightscholarship.html
Lions Club International
(Check with your local chapter)
http://www.lionsclubs.org/
Student Aid Award
Venture Clubs of the Americas
http://www.soroptimistnwr.com/venture.htm
Student Award Program
Foundation for Science and Disability, Inc.
http://www.as.wvu.edu/~scidis/organize/fsdinfo.html
Undergraduate Scholarship Program
Central Intelligence Agency
https://www.cia.gov/careers/jobs/view-all-jobs/undergraduate-scholarship-program.html
AG Bell Financial Aid and Scholarship Program
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
202-337-5220
202-337-5221 (TTY)
http://www.agbell.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?p=College_Scholarship_Awards
Graduate Fellowship Fund
Gallaudet University Alumni Association
202-651-5060 (Voice/TTY)
http://www.gallaudet.edu/x2034.xml
Hard of Hearing and Deaf Scholarship
Sertoma International
816-333-8300
http://www.sertoma.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=344&srcid=190
Minnie Pearl Scholarship Program
The EAR Foundation
800-545-7373 (HEAR)
615-627-2724 (voice/TDD)
http://www.earfoundation.org/education.asp?content=minnie_pearl_scholarship
AFB Scholarships
American Foundation for the Blind
800-232-5463
http://www.afb.org/scholarships.asp
American Council of the Blind
202-467-5081
http://www.acb.org/
CCLVI Scholarships
Council of Citizens with Low Vision International
800-733-2258
http://www.cclvi.org/scholars.htm
CRS Scholarship
Christian Record Services for the Blind
402-488-0981
http://services.christianrecord.org/scholarships/index.php
Ferrell Scholarship
Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
877-492-2708
http://www.aerbvi.org/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=77
Jewish Guild for the Blind
212-769-7801
http://www.jgb.org/guildscholar.asp
Lighthouse Scholarships
Lighthouse International
212-821-9428
http://www.lighthouse.org/aboutus/lighthouse-events/scholarships-and-career-awards/
Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Award
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
609-452-0606
http://www.rfbd.org/applications_awards.htm
NFB Scholarships
National Federation of the Blind
404-371-1000
http://www.nfb.org/nfb/scholarship_program.asp
1800Wheelchair.com
800-320-7140
http://www.1800wheelchair.com/Scholarship/
ChairScholars Foundation
813-920-1981
http://www.chairscholars.org/
ELA Foundation Scholarship
Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation
626-398-8840
http://www.ela.org/scholarships/scholarships.html
National MS Society Scholarship Program
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
800-344-4867
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/get-involved/programs-and-services/scholarship/index.aspx
SBA Scholarship Program
Spina Bifida Association of America
202-944-3285 ext. 23
http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/
HFA Educational Scholarship
Hemophilia Federation of America
800-230-9797
http://www.hemophiliafed.org/site30.php
IDF Scholarship Program
Immune Deficiency Foundation
800-296-4433
http://www.primaryimmune.org/services/scholarship.htm
Kevin Child Scholarship
National Hemophilia Foundation
800-424-2634 ext. 3700
http://www.hemophilia.org/NHFWeb/MainPgs/MainNHF.aspx?menuid=53&contentid=35
Scholarships for Survivors Program
Patient Advocate Foundation
800-532-5274
http://www.patientadvocate.org/events.php?p=69
Solvay Cares Scholarship
Solvay Pharmaceuticals
212-583-2734
http://www.solvaycares.com/
Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults
888-393-3863 (FUND)
http://www.ulmanfund.org/Services/Scholarship/20072008CollegeScholarshipApplication/tabid/325/Default.aspx
Ann Ford Scholarship
National Center for Learning Disabilities
888-575-7373
http://www.ncld.org/content/view/725/508/
Anne & Matt Harbison Scholarship
P. Buckley Moss Society
540-943-5678
http://www.mosssociety.org/page.php?id=30
Learning Through Listening Award
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
609-452-0606
http://www.rfbd.org/applications_awards.htm
Hydrocephalus Association
http://www.hydroassoc.org/education_support/scholarships
Lilly Reintegration Scholarship
800-809-8202
http://www.lilly.com/about/awards/scholarship.html
Author: Gail Ann Schlachter, R. David Weber
Identifies funding and financial aid resources for students with disabilities as they relate to education, career development, training, assistive technology, etc. Resources are grouped by disability type and funding type. ISBN# 978-1588411486.
Editor: Elizabeth A. Olson
This book focuses on funding opportunities for students with disabilities. Purchase through Garrett Park Press, P.O. Box 190, Garrett Park, MD 20896; 301-946-2553. ISBN# 978-0894341816
DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) serves to increase the successful participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs such as those in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology. Primary funding for DO-IT is provided by the National Science Foundation, the State of Washington, and the U.S. Department of Education.
To order free publications or newsletters use the DO-IT Publications Order Form; to order videos and training materials use the Videos, Books and Comprehensive Training Materials Order Form.
For further information, to be placed on the DO-IT mailing list, or to request materials in an alternate format, contact:
DO-ITDirector: Sheryl Burgstahler, Ph.D.
This publication is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (Grant No. 9550003) and the U.S. Department of Education (Grant No. H324M990010). Any questions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Government.
Copyright © 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003, 2002, 1999, University of Washington. Permission is granted to copy these materials for educational, non-commercial purposes provided the source is acknowledged.
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