National Scholarship Program for Students with Disabilities
Available to students in every state in the continental U.S., the ChairScholars National Scholarship Program provides eligible high school seniors and college freshmen up to $20,000 for tuition to attend the college or university of their choice.
National ChairScholar recipients have been accepted at some of the nation’s most respected colleges and universities including Penn State University, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, Purdue University, University of Wisconsin, Yale University, New York University, University of Florida and Tulane among others. Our scholarship recipients are bright and ambitious students, who have overcome the challenge of their disability by focusing on the goal to excel academically, and become instrumental members of their communities. They are the next generation of leaders.
To date, the ChairScholars Foundation has awarded 220 National Scholarships. Of those students, 91 are currently attending colleges and universities throughout the United States.
To qualify for a National Scholarship, applicants must:
- The student must be physically challenged and may be "chair-confined". The physical challenge must be significant. No minor disability will be considered.
- Must have verifiable unmet financial need.
- Must have at least a B average.
- Must be a high school senior or college freshman. We do not fund graduate studies. (Our charter does not permit anyone over 21 years of age from applying.)
- The applicant must show some form of significant community service or social contribution in the past.
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT REGARD TO GENDER, RACE, CREED, OR RELIGION.
Fifteen to twenty new students are taken yearly and are given $1,000-5,000 per year for each college year to a maximum of $20,000 total. About 150 applicants apply yearly.
You must include:
- A good quality recent photograph, preferably one that illustrates your physical challenge.
- A 300 500 word essay outlining :
- How you became physically challenged.
- How your situation has affected you and your family.
- Your goals and aspirations for the future.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Include your Parent's or Guardian's Federal income tax return from last year. If you are on SSI or some other form of aid you must inform us. If your parents are divorced, please send both tax returns.
- Send your High School transcripts, including your SAT and ACT scores and any honors or achievements you have earned.
- Physician's documentation of your disability.
- If you have obtained any other scholarships already you MUST inform us of that fact.
Please send your application by February 15th. Your application will be reviewed, and we will contact you if anything is missing. The deadline for submitting application information is February 28th. No e-mail applications will be accepted.