Financial aid and scholarships for students who learn and think differently

It’s not a secret that college can cost a small fortune. What you may not know is that specific scholarships are available for students who learn and think differently. There are also general grants, loans, and scholarships.

Explore some of the opportunities below. College financial aid offices are a great place to learn more.

Scholarships for students who learn and think differently

Many private scholarships are available for students who learn and think differently. FinAid is a good place to look for information about financial aid and specific scholarships.

Here are a few of the scholarships available:

Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarships: These scholarships, offered by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, range from $2,500 to $10,000. They’re for high school seniors with learning disabilities and/or ADHD who are pursuing higher education or career training.

BMO Capital Markets Lime Connect Equity Through Education Scholarships: This scholarship is designed for current undergraduate or graduate students with disabilities at a four-year university or college in the United States or Canada. Candidates should be pursuing a degree in business/commerce, computer science, engineering, math, physics, statistics, or a related discipline and have an interest in a career in financial services (a focus on capital markets is preferred). Recipients will receive a scholarship for $10,000 (studying in the United States) or $5,000 (studying in Canada).

Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Award: This $1,000 award from Smart Kids with Disabilities recognizes the strengths and accomplishments of young people with learning disabilities and ADHD. It will be given to a student age 19 or younger who has demonstrated initiative, talent, and determination resulting in a notable accomplishment in any field — including art, music, science, math, athletics, or community service.

Google Lime Scholarships: This scholarship is designed for current undergraduates, graduate students, or PhD students with disabilities who are enrolled at a four-year university or college in the United States or Canada. Recipients will earn a scholarship for $10,000 (studying in the United States) or $5,000 (studying in Canada), based on tuition costs. Selected students will also be invited to attend the annual Google Scholars’ Retreat at the Googleplex in Mountain View, California. Candidates will also be considered for software engineering internship opportunities with Google.

Joseph James Morelli Scholarships: This $500–$2,500 scholarship supports students with dyslexia who are pursuing higher education in STEM. Applicants must be either a high school student or post–high school student who will be attending an accredited undergraduate school, technical school, or community college in the United States next fall.

Lime Connect Pathways Scholarships: This scholarship is designed for current high school seniors with disabilities who intend to pursue a degree at a four-year university or college in the United States or Canada. Recipients will each receive $1,000 in support of their university/college studies. The awards are merit-based, but financial need will be taken into consideration.

Microsoft DisAbility Scholarships: This $5,000 scholarship is for high school seniors planning to attend a two-year or four-year university or college program. Applicants must be living with a disability, have financial need, and plan to major in engineering, computer science, or a legal or business-related major.

P. Buckley Moss Endowed Scholarship: An annual college tuition grant of up to $1,000 to one or more high school seniors with language-related learning differences. Applicants must be planning to pursue a career in visual arts.

Federal student aid programs

The U.S. Department of Education provides billions of dollars of federal aid each year. This goes to students pursuing higher education. Grants and scholarships are “free.” But you have to repay loans. These are examples of federal aid programs:

• Federal Pell Grants are for undergraduates.

• Federal Stafford Loans are based on financial need and have variable interest rates. The government pays the interest on the loan while your child is in school.

• Federal PLUS Loans are made to the parents. These have variable interest rates.

• Campus-based programs are managed by participating schools. They include federal supplemental educational opportunity grants, federal work-study, and Perkins loans.

Before your teen applies to any of these programs, check to see if the college participates. You can get more information by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.

Other general scholarships and awards

States also offer grants and loans. You can learn more through the high school guidance counselor or the college financial aid office.

A wide range of other sources may offer aid. Some target a student’s specific achievements, interests, or background. Don’t forget to check opportunities like these:

• Your employer

• Local organizations, like labor unions or the Elks Club

• Religious groups

• Chamber of Commerce

All students interested in financial aid need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible. You can also contact the college’s financial aid office. Many schools offer grants, loans, and scholarships. Separate funding also might be available from college academic departments.