There are many scholarships for students with learning and physical disabilities. I mentioned in an earlier post, Show Me the Money how I identified specific scholarships for David based on his disability((cerebral palsy). The best way to find these scholarships is to register on a scholarship search engine like Cappex or do a Google or Twitter search on the specific disability.
The best time to begin your search for these scholarships is freshman year, the same time you should begin your college search. In researching colleges for students with special needs it is important that you research colleges that have good support services. The earlier you start this process, the better. You should call or arrange to meet with the Disability Services Coordinator to decide the requirements and guidelines for participating in their program. You will most likely be asked to provide a copy of the Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan which should contain the following information:
- Evaluation by a Qualified Professional
- Current Documentation
- Specific Diagnosis
- Comprehensive Summary
- Recommendations for Accommodations
The K & W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Differences, 13th Edition by Marybeth Kravets provides excellent information on colleges that offer services for students. Not all services are alike. The guide groups the services into three categories: Structured, Coordinated and Services.
- Structured Programs-offer the most comprehensive services for students. The staff is certified and involved in the admission decision. There may be an extra fee for these services.
- Coordinated Services-not as comprehensive. Usually have at least one certified learning disability specialist on staff. Students are encouraged to self-identify before admission.
- Services-least comprehensive. Staff and faculty support the students by providing basic services which are requested on a voluntary basis.
In all cases, if the student is 18, he or she must request documentation from their high school before graduating. A good time to do this is at the last IEP or 504 meeting for the year. Students must self-identify, familiarize themselves with support services, take advantage of the opportunities that are available at the college and advocate for themselves. They should have an understanding of the types of services available before accepting admission.