American Foundation for the Blind Scholarship

The foundation offers two scholarships:

1) The Ferdinand Torres Scholarship provides a $1,000 grant to a full-time post-secondary student who is legally blind and who presents evidence of economic need. To be eligible the applicant must reside in the United States but need not be a U.S. citizen. Preference will be given to applicants residing in the New York City metropolitan area and to new U.S. immigrants. Deadline for submission: April 30.

2) The Karen Carsel Memorial Scholarship provides a $500 grant to a full-time graduate student who is legally blind and who presents evidence of economic need. Deadline for applications: April 30

For more information contact:
Scholarship Committee Information Center
11 Penn Plaza, Ste. 300
New York, NY 10001
Phone: (510) 642-1331
Website: www.afb.org/scholarships.asp

Opportunities for the Blind, Inc.

Grants provide financial assistance with tuition, books, and supplies for legally blind U.S. citizens of working age who are pursuing an accredited post-secondary education. Only assistance not provided by your state agency for the blind is considered. The "ideal" applicant is someone who, through his/her prior accomplishments, exhibits a high probability of success. Those who have already demonstrated their own individual inittiative and received recognition or support from other is also a plus. All prospective applicants must first submit an Eligiblity Form or call the number below to schedule an Eligibility Interview. Deadlines for applications are: February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 1.

For more information contact:
Opportunities for the Blind, Inc.
PO Box 510
Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: 800-884-1990
Email: OppBlind@yahoo.com
Website: www.opportunitiesfortheblind.org/info.htm

National Federation of the Blind

The Federation grants thirty scholarships annually to legally blind persons in higher education from college freshmen to doctoral candidates. The scholarships range in value from $3,000 to $12,000. Federation scholarship winners also win a trip to the organization's annual convention and the opportunity to develop mentoring relationships with the nation's most dynamic leaders of the blind community. Winning a Federation scholarship is a lifetime distinction since winners must compete in a pool of 500 applicants. Winning is also an honor since the selection process is performed by successful blind persons. Winners recognize that they have been chosen by their blind peers who are not fooled by lowered expectations of blind people but rather seek out true quality.

The annual filing deadline is March 31, and all scholarships are granted in July of each year.

For more information contact:
National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone: (410) 659-9314
Fax: (410) 685-5653
Email: nfb@nfb.org
Website: www.nfb.org

Association of Blind Citizens Assistive Technology Fund

Provides funds to cover 50% of the retail price of adaptive devices or software. The products covered by this program must retail for a minimum of $200 with a maximum retail price of $6,000. Persons eligible to apply for assistance must have a family income of less than $50,000 and cash assets of less than $20,000.

If applicants are selected to receive a technology grant, applicants will be asked to provide documents such as tax returns, bank statements and any other documents that the ABC board or it's designee would deem necessary to assess financial need for the grant. Applicants must be legally blind and a resident of the United States to qualify for this program.

Applications must be submitted by June 30th, September 30th and December 31st for each grant period (three per year). Applicants will be notified if their request for a grant is approved. Applicants may submit one request per calendar year. All applications must be submitted via e-mail. You will be notified by within 45 days after the application deadline.

To apply send an email to atf@assocofblindcitizens.org providing the following information: name, address, telephone number and email address. Provide a description of 500 or fewer words of the device you wish to purchase and how it will help you achieve employment or increase your independence. Requests must be received via email only, by June 30th, September 30th, and December 31st.

Albert Newman Fellowship for Visually Impaired Students

Applicants must be substantially visually impaired (documented by the Disabled Student's Program). Award will be based on scholastic Achievement. Applicants must be registered for spring 2005 and fall 2005 when they receive the award.

For more information contact:
Graduate Fellowships Office
318 Sproul Hall
Phone: (510) 642-0672
Website: www.grad.berkeley.edu