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Financial Aid, Scholarships and Resources for Students with LD |
By NCLD Editorial Staff
Published: February 19 2009
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Senior year of high school — time to relax, coast, wait for college, right? Wrong! You or your child may have been accepted to your college of choice, but the work doesn't end with an acceptance letter and a trip to the mall for new sheets and jeans. How will you finance your college education? Where and when do you begin the hunt for financial aid?
Planning ahead is the key to assuring that your or your child's education is funded. It's easy to get overwhelmed and panic about deadlines or to find yourself scrambling at the last minute to fill out forms you previously had never even heard of. Here is a basic timeline to help you stay prepared.
September is a time of transition, even for high school seniors. Focus on starting this school year off strong — you still have time before you need to worry about financing your college education.
In October and continuing through November, research your financial options by contacting the financial aid offices at your or your child's college. Be sure you understand how much you will owe each semester and year so that you are prepared when filling out forms and deciding which financial aid options are right for you. (Sallie Mae's Education Investment Planner is a helpful tool in this process.)
During your research, consult your state's higher education agency for state financial aid deadlines. Also, begin to research different kinds of scholarships (free money!) that may apply to your or your child's particular strengths, interests, disabilities, and other characteristics or qualities.
December is Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) month! Be sure to get this form completed and sent out quickly and efficiently.
During the winter, continue to research and apply for as many scholarships as you feel comfortable taking on. Some applications simply require filling out a form; others require a lengthy essay process or more. Only you know how much or little work you can handle on top of your current school work and schedule, and how important this free money is toward the financing of your college career.
Come April, you can review your college's financial aid offers and try to work with the school to better suit your needs. Think before you borrow with these tips from CollegeBoard.org.
In your search for financial aid and scholarship opportunities, the following links and ideas could be of use to you. Best of luck!
Specific Scholarships
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National Center for Learning Disabilities
Two $10,000 awards given to high school seniors with an identified learning disability (LD) who are pursuing an undergraduate degree. |
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Two $1,000 scholarships for students with LD, one of which is designated for a student pursuing an education and/or a math degree. One ADD/ADHD scholarship will also be awarded. |
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A renewable $750 award available to high school students with physical, learning, cognitive, hearing, or vision disabilities. |
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Three $6,000 and three $2,000 awards available to high school seniors with LD who demonstrate leadership skills, scholarship, and a high level of service to others; must be a member of Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFB&D). |
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A $1,000 award for a student with LD and/or ADHD who has demonstrated initiative, talent, and determination resulting in a notable accomplishment in any field - including art, music, science, math, athletics or community service. |
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Available to students with disabilities with financial needs who enroll in a State University System of Florida institution. |
General Scholarship and Financial Aid Information
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What
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A list of scholarship programs available to students that are categorized by topics and special interests. |
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Allows students to search for scholarships that match their personal profiles and needs. |
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A list of grants, scholarships, and funding links and resources for students. |
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A widely used resource on money for college, financial aid, and more. |
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A list of books, web links, and specific scholarships and loans that address financial aid opportunities for students with disabilities. |
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In the search bar on the right, enter "Financial Aid" for links to scholarships for students with LD. |
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Information and resources to assist students with the financial aid process. |
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State funding information for post-secondary education. |
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Financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education, including information about Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, PLUS loans, and more.
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If, during your research, you come across other links you feel would be helpful to other students and parents seeking information on financial aid and scholarships,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. We would love to hear from you.
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