10 Scholarships for Students with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) in 2024
Pursuing higher education can be an exciting yet challenging journey for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Fortunately, there are numerous scholarships designed specifically to support these students as they transition into college and beyond. In 2024, students with ASD have access to various scholarships that recognize their unique talents and help alleviate the financial burden of college.
This list highlights 10 scholarships that offer meaningful opportunities for autistic students to achieve their academic goals.
Start your search with these unique college scholarships for high school students with autism:
1. Strength in Neurodiversity Scholarship
Amount: Up to $1,000
Provider: Alyssa Douglass
Most scholarships are based on achievement of good grades in classes designed for the neurotypical student. With neurodiverse students receiving a disproportionate rate of scholarships, many amazing people miss an opportunity to further their education and achieve their goals. As some of the most innovative, hard-working, creative, quick thinking and empathic people in society, neurodiverse students deserve an equal chance at furthering their education. To encourage this, the Strength in Neurodiversity Scholarship will support all high school seniors diagnosed with or with an IEP documenting ADHD, ASD, and/or any documented learning disability.
2. The Kelly Law Team Autism Scholarship Contest
Amount: $1,000
Provider: Organization for Autism Research
The Kelly Law Team is delighted to announce the Kelly Law Team Autism Scholarship Contest. This aspect of the firm’s involvement with the community has been ongoing since 2015, and for the fifth time the scholarship will be awarded to a person diagnosed with autism (also known as autism spectrum disorder, or ASD). The scholarship is in the amount of $1,000, and it will be made as a direct payment toward the winning applicant’s tuition at a post-secondary educational institution. The scholarship may be used for tuition at a college, graduate school, trade (vocational) school, or junior college chosen by the winning applicant.
3. Autism Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Provider: The Law Office of David P. Shapiro
Autism covers a number of disorders that often include various social challenges, including verbal and nonverbal communication issues that may affect a person’s educational experience and opportunities. This year’s $1,000 Autism Scholarship fund will be applied toward the cost of tuition for the chosen applicant. The educational institution chosen by the successful applicant may be a vocational or trade school, as well as a college (including junior college). The sum of $1,000 will be paid directly to the winner’s chosen educational institution.
4. Michael Lorenzen Foundation Scholarship
Amount: $2,500
Provider: Michael Lorenzen Foundation
The Michael Lorenzen Foundation aims to help other children with autism. They hope that all children on the autism spectrum have the opportunity to achieve a college education, Michael would have. We know firsthand how much little contributions can add up to big successes. The Michael Lorenzen Foundation Scholarship will help a future student with autism achieve a college education as well.
5. Gunner Lee Thomason Autism Scholarship
Amount: $650
Provider: Community Foundation of the Ozarks
To honor the educators and friends who provided support to Gunner Thomason on his college journey — as well as Gunner’s own tenacity and grace — the Thomasons established the Gunner Lee Thomason Autism Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is intended to assist students studying education or health services in areas related to autism.
6. Puzzle Piece Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Provider: Casas Medina Family
Autism Spectrum Disorder affects many people and can instill them with positive traits, such as honesty, curiosity, and intelligence. Unfortunately, there are many challenges to living with ASD or raising a child with the diagnosis, such as the many roadblocks in the conventional public education system. Even for children on the milder side of the spectrum, the average school isn’t accessible or equipped to meet the unique needs of students with ASD. The Puzzle Piece Scholarship aims to support students with Autism Spectrum Disorder who are preparing to enter college in order to alleviate some of the financial burden so students can focus on their studies.
7. Schwallie Family Scholarship
Amount: $3,000
Provider: Organization for Autism Research
Since 2007, the OAR Scholarship Program has awarded a total of $1,717,500 to 558 highly deserving autistic students. The Schwallie Family Scholarship program awards scholarships to students across the autism spectrum. They invite applications from persons with an autism diagnosis (DSM-IV or later criteria) pursuing full-time, post-secondary, education in any of the following: four-year undergraduate college or university, two-year undergraduate college, trade school, technical school, vocational school, or cooperative life skills program.
8. Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship
Amount: $3,000
Provider: Organization for Autism Research
The Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship supports students attending two-year undergraduate colleges; life skills or post-secondary programs; or vocational, technical, or trade schools. Hussman applicants typically make up the pool of talented students who face daily challenges related to autism and attend programs that assist in skill building, job readiness, and other transition-related skills.
9. Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color
Amount: $3,000
Provider: Organization for Autism Research
The Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color supports students attending any kind of post-secondary undergraduate institution: four-year colleges; two-year colleges; life skills or postsecondary programs; or vocational, technical, or trade schools. Applicants must belong to an underrepresented racial/ethnic minority group.
10. Autism Family Services of New Jersey Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Provider: Family Resource Network
The Autism Family Services of New Jersey Scholarship provides financial assistance to high school seniors in New Jersey who have been diagnosed with autism and plan to attend college in any state.
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