Scholarships
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Scholarships
The Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) has historically provided college scholarships to students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and primarily use listening and spoken language. These scholarships were intended to help eligible students pursue postsecondary education.
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The Louise Tumarkin Zazove Foundation Scholarship provides financial assistance to Deaf and Hard of Hearing students pursuing undergraduate education. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, have a documented unaided hearing loss of at least 50 dB in both ears, and attend an accredited nonprofit college or university located in the United States. The scholarship helps students with significant hearing loss pursue their educational goals by providing tuition assistance.
Application Period: Early January through late May annually. The foundation typically notifies applicants of award decisions by mid-July.
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Application Link
Application Deadline: The 2026 application closed March 11, 2026. The 2027 deadline has not yet been confirmed.
The J. Paris Mosley Scholarship provides financial assistance to students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing or have a family member living in their household who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Applicants must use American Sign Language (ASL) in everyday life, maintain a minimum high school GPA of 2.5, demonstrate financial need, and plan to attend an accredited nonprofit educational institution.
The scholarship is available nationwide, including to eligible students in Nebraska. Preference is given to applicants of African American, Latino American, or Native American descent.
Closed for the 2026–2027 scholarship cycle.
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Application Link
Academic Scholarships: $2,000 per year for up to four years
Maximum total award: $8,000
Recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Vocational Scholarships: $2,000 per year for up to two yearsMaximum total award: $4,000Recipients must demonstrate satisfactory progress toward their degree, certificate, certification, or license.
The Cochlear Americas Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to students with Cochlear Nucleus, Baha, or Osia hearing implants who are pursuing postsecondary education. The program includes the Graeme Clark Scholarship for Cochlear Nucleus recipients and the Anders Tjellström Scholarship for Baha and Osia recipients.
Academic scholarships are available to eligible high school graduates, undergraduate students, and graduate students attending accredited colleges or universities. Applicants must be U.S. or Canadian citizens and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Vocational scholarships are also available to eligible recipients pursuing education at technical, vocational, or trade schools.
Scholarships recognize students for their academic achievements, leadership, community involvement, and commitment to their educational goals.
Application Period:
Opens: Approximately March 31 annually
Deadline: September 30 annually
Application Status: The 2026 application period has closed. The next application period is expected to open in March 2027.
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Application Link
The Colleen Scarisbrick Help America Hear Scholarship provides financial assistance to high school seniors with hearing loss who plan to pursue college or vocational education. Recipients receive financial support toward their education and hearing technology designed to meet their individual needs. The scholarship aims to help students with hearing loss achieve their educational and career goals.
Eligibility: High school seniors with hearing loss.
Application Deadline: March 29, 2027, according to current scholarship listings. The official scholarship page has not yet confirmed this date.
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Application Link
Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
The Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability provides financial assistance to college students with disabilities who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in fields related to health and disability. Preference is given to students studying public health, disability studies, audiology, special education, rehabilitation engineering, disability policy, or related fields.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents attending an accredited U.S. university. Undergraduate applicants must have completed at least one year of college and be enrolled full-time. Graduate students may attend part-time or full-time. Students must provide documentation of their disability.
Preference is also given to applicants who demonstrate community service or volunteer involvement.
The 2027 scholarship application is expected to open in November 2026.
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Application Link
The disABLEDperson, Inc. National Scholarship provides financial assistance to college students with disabilities who are pursuing higher education. Applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university.
Students must attend full-time, although part-time enrollment of at least six credits is permitted when the reduced course load is related to their disability.
Applicants must submit an essay of no more than 1,000 words addressing the current scholarship prompt. Recipients must provide documentation of their disability and college enrollment.
Please note: Graduating high school seniors are not eligible until they are enrolled in college.
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Application Link
The ExceptionalNurse.com College Scholarship Awards provide financial assistance to students with documented disabilities who are pursuing careers in nursing. Applicants must have applied to or been accepted into a full-time nursing education program at a college or university.
Students must demonstrate a commitment to nursing education and professional excellence. Application requirements include an essay, three letters of recommendation, academic transcripts, and documentation of disability.
Preference may be given to undergraduate students, depending on the specific scholarship.
Application Deadline: June 1 annually.
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Application Process: Unlike many scholarships, ExceptionalNurse.com does not provide a standard online application portal. Students must request an application form by emailing exceptionalnurse@aol.com. Completed applications and supporting documents must be mailed to the address provided on the scholarship website.
The Foundation for Science and Disability Student Award Program provides financial assistance to students with disabilities pursuing advanced education in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, medicine, or computer science. Eligible applicants include U.S. citizens who are graduate students or fourth-year undergraduate students who have been accepted into a graduate or professional program. Funding is intended to support research-related expenses, assistive technology, or other specialized educational needs.
Important: This scholarship is intended for students pursuing graduate or professional education, not graduating high school seniors.
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$10,000 USD for students attending universities in the United States.
$5,000 CAD for students attending universities in Canada.
The Google Lime Scholarship Program was established through a partnership between Google and Lime Connect to support college students with disabilities pursuing degrees in computer science, computer engineering, or closely related technical fields.
The scholarship recognized students who demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, and a commitment to careers in technology.
Eligible applicants historically included undergraduate and graduate students with visible or invisible disabilities attending universities in the United States or Canada.
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The Lime Connect Pathways Scholarship provides financial assistance to graduating high school seniors with visible or invisible disabilities who plan to attend a four-year college or university in the United States or Canada. Applicants must have applied to or been accepted into an eligible institution and intend to enroll full-time in the fall. Scholarships recognize students for their achievements, potential, and determination to succeed in higher education. Financial need is also considered.
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors with disabilities, including students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
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Application Link
Award Amount: Up to $20,000
$5,000 per year
-Renewable for up to four years ($20,000 total).
-Renewal requires maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA, continued enrollment in an eligible major, and full-time or half-time enrollment.
-Multiple scholarships are awarded annually.
Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, demonstrate financial need, show leadership in their school or community, and have an interest in technology. Eligible areas of study include engineering, computer science, computer information systems, law, business, and related fields.
The scholarship supports students with disabilities as they pursue educational and career opportunities.
Award Amount: $1,250–$2,500 annually
Full-time students: $2,500 per year, renewable for up to four years ($10,000 total).
Half-time students: $1,250 per year, renewable for up to eight years ($10,000 total).
Renewal requires maintaining a minimum 2.5 GPA and meeting continued eligibility requirements.
The Wells Fargo Stacey Milbern Scholarship provides financial assistance to students with disabilities, including students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, who are pursuing undergraduate education. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and be graduating high school seniors, high school graduates, or current undergraduate students.
Applicants must plan to enroll at least half-time (six credits per term) at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in the United States. Students must demonstrate financial need, and scholarships are renewable for eligible recipients who maintain satisfactory academic progress.
Important: Only the first 700 completed applications will be considered.
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Application Link
Nebraska Scholarships
Award Amount: $2,500
One-time scholarship award.
Available to eligible Nebraska and Iowa residents.
Scholarships are not automatically renewable, but students may reapply in future years if they meet the eligibility requirements
The Dino Andrande Scholarship provides financial assistance to LGBTQIA2S+ individuals with disabilities who are pursuing higher education. Applicants must be permanent residents of Nebraska or Iowa and plan to enroll full-time or part-time at an accredited college, university, vocational school, or trade school.
Eligible applicants must have a disability as defined by Nebraska Rule 51. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, educational goals, and a personal essay.
Application Deadline: March 31, 2026, was the previous deadline. The 2027 application opens January 1, 2027, with updated requirements and deadlines to be confirmed.
2027 Applications Open: January 1, 2027
2027 Deadline: Not yet confirmed
Application Requirements: Academic transcript, proof of acceptance into a postsecondary program, and a personal essay.
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Application Link
Award Amount: $10,000–$50,000, depending on the scholarship.
The Horatio Alger Association offers several scholarship programs for students who have overcome significant adversity and demonstrate financial need.
National Scholarship: $25,000 per recipient.
State Scholarships: Award amounts vary by program.
Specialized Scholarships: Awards vary, with some reaching $50,000.
The National Scholarship awards 105 scholarships annually.
The Horatio Alger Association Scholarships provide financial assistance to students who have demonstrated perseverance in overcoming significant personal challenges and financial hardship. Scholarships are available to eligible high school juniors, seniors, and college students pursuing higher education.
Applicants must demonstrate financial need, academic achievement, integrity, and involvement in school or community activities. Eligibility requirements vary by scholarship, but the National Scholarship requires a minimum 2.5 GPA, U.S. citizenship, and an adjusted gross family income of $100,000 or less.
Nebraska students may qualify for national, state-specific, and specialized scholarship opportunities. Students can complete one application to be considered for multiple scholarships for which they qualify.
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Application Link
The Susan Thompson Buffett Scholarship provides financial assistance to Nebraska students who demonstrate financial need and plan to attend an eligible public college or university in Nebraska. Applicants must be Nebraska residents, graduate from a Nebraska high school or earn a Nebraska GED, and have a minimum cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.0.
Students must be entering college as first-time freshmen and demonstrate financial need. Scholarship recipients are selected based on financial need, academic achievement, short-answer responses, and a recommendation.
The scholarship helps students pursue higher education by providing financial support for tuition, fees, and other college-related expenses.
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Application Link
Career and Technical Education Scholarships
The Horatio Alger Career & Technical Scholarship provides financial assistance to students who have overcome significant personal challenges and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship supports individuals pursuing an associate degree, certificate, or diploma through an eligible nonprofit community college, vocational school, or technical education program.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens under the age of 35, have completed high school or an equivalent program, and have a household income of $100,000 or less. Students must enroll in a career-focused program that prepares them for employment.
The scholarship helps students pursue career training and develop skills needed for future employment.
Eligibility: Graduating high school students and adults pursuing eligible career or technical education programs.
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Application Link
The mikeroweWORKS Work Ethic Scholarship provides financial assistance to students pursuing career and technical education in high-demand skilled trades. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens who are graduating high school seniors, high school graduates, or GED recipients planning to attend an approved training program at an accredited institution.
Qualifying programs include welding, plumbing, electrical technology, HVAC, construction, automotive technology, agriculture, manufacturing, and other approved career fields. Applicants must demonstrate a strong work ethic, complete the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge, submit a short video, provide references, and verify their educational expenses.
The scholarship is available to eligible students nationwide, including Nebraska students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Four-year bachelor's degree programs are not eligible.
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Application Link
Student Competitions
The Gallaudet National Literary Competition provides Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in grades 2–12 with an opportunity to showcase their creativity and communication skills through American Sign Language (ASL) and written English. Students may submit original storytelling, poetry, or creative writing entries based on the competition's annual themes.
The ASL competition is open to students in grades 2–12, while the writing competition is open to students in grades 6–12. A Deaf Plus division is also available for students with additional disabilities.
The competition is free and open to eligible students throughout the United States and Canada. Winners receive prizes, recognition, and opportunities to participate in Gallaudet University programs.
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The RIT Digital Arts, Film, and Animation Competition provides Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in grades 6–12 with an opportunity to showcase their artistic talents and creativity. Students may submit original projects in graphic media, photo imaging, film, or 3-D animation.
Participants compete in middle school (grades 6–8) or high school (grades 9–12) divisions. Applicants must submit original artwork, a brief description of their creative process, a teacher recommendation, and a school transcript or report card.
Winners receive cash prizes and opportunities to attend summer programs at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at Rochester Institute of Technology.
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The RIT SpiRIT Writing Contest provides Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in grades 10–12 with an opportunity to showcase their creativity and writing skills. Students submit an original written work of up to 2,000 words based on the competition's annual theme.
Eligible applicants must be enrolled in grades 10–12, have parent or guardian permission, and submit a teacher recommendation and high school transcript. Entries are evaluated on originality, creativity, organization, grammar, and language use.
Winners receive cash prizes ranging from $150 to $500, with eligible first-place winners also receiving a program fee waiver for an RIT/NTID summer program.
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Additional Resources
Gallaudet University Youth Programs offers educational, recreational, and competitive opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students from elementary through high school. Programs include the Academic Bowl, Battle of the Books, National Literary Competition, Youth Debate Bowl, esports competitions, and summer camps.
These opportunities encourage academic achievement, leadership, creativity, teamwork, and social connections with other Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. Select competitions offer scholarships, cash prizes, and other awards.
Eligibility, registration requirements, program costs, and application deadlines vary. Students, families, and educators are encouraged to explore the Gallaudet Youth Programs website for current opportunities.
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Rochester Institute of Technology's National Technical Institute for the Deaf (RIT/NTID) offers educational, recreational, and competitive opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing middle and high school students.
Programs include summer camps, career exploration workshops, STEM activities, writing competitions, digital arts competitions, and other academic challenges. These experiences encourage students to explore career interests, develop leadership and academic skills, build independence, and connect with other Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.
Select competitions offer cash prizes, scholarships, or summer program fee waivers. Program eligibility, costs, registration requirements, and deadlines vary. Students, families, and educators are encouraged to visit the RIT/NTID Youth Programs website for current opportunities.
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