Students who have learning disabilities are perfectly capable of learning, they just learn in different ways, and this often takes them longer. In the years from Kindergarten to Grade 12, there is more time allowed to them and often more support given. Once students reach the post-secondary level, things change. They are expected to keep up and are not validated for the extra work they have to do just to stay level.

The work of college begins before college begins. Even before you have graduated from high-school, you begin planning your college career. Once you choose a school and get accepted, you still have to figure out how to pay the expenses. College is rewarding, but not cheap. Now you are no longer applying to schools; now you are applying for financial aid.

Having a learning disability, and being labeled “LD,” is an advantage for once. There are some scholarships that are available specifically to LD students. You can fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), as nearly all students do, to find out which federal grants, scholarships, and loans you are eligible for. This can be done online, and this financial aid is available to all students, to various extents. As well as the federal assistance, there is assistance available through private lenders and donors. Obviously, every student should max out the free money available to them before pursuing any loan options. LD students have a number of additional scholarships available to them.

Financial Aid

Scholarships are the ideal way to pay for school, because scholarships do not need to be paid back the way loans do. They are gifts of assistance, charitable donations, and awards, established to help students remain students and enable them to focus on their studies while they are in school. Follow every possible route and apply to every available scholarship. A little bit of research goes a long way and is invaluable when compared to how long it takes the average student to repay a student loan.

• The National Centre for Learning Disabilities offers the Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarships to seniors in high school who are planning to attend a post-secondary school. These scholarships range from $2,000- $10,000.
• Incight Go Getter Scholarship is a scholarship available to students with disabilities, but not only students with learning disabilities. Learning disabled students are eligible and can apply, but they will be competing with other disabled students- students with visual, hearing, mood, and physical impairments. These scholarships range from amounts of $750- $1,000.
• The Rise Scholarship Foundation offers $2,500 to four high school seniors who have learning disabilities and awards one additional scholarship to a student with autism. These awards are paid directly to the school the student plans to attend the following year.
• To reward a noteworthy accomplishment, Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities gives out a Youth Achievement Award of $1,000 each year to an LD student for a commendable achievement. The achievement is not designated to a specific field; it can be in art, music, athletics, math, science, community service, etc.
• The P. Buckley Moss Foundation awards three scholarships each year. The Judith Cary Memorial Scholarship is for students who want to get a degree in special education. This can be either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree, and the student can be attending either full-time or part-time and still be eligible. The Anne and Matt Harbison Scholarship is specifically for someone with a language-related difficulty. This $1,500 scholarship can be renewed for up to three years. The P. Buckley Moss Endowed Scholarship can also be renewed for up to three years. It is awarded to a student, or more than one, who shows financial need, a language-related learning challenge, and artistic talent. The scholarship is intended to help them pursue a career in visual arts.
• Shire sponsors the Michael Yasick ADHD Scholarship. 50 individuals diagnosed with ADHD are chosen to receive this award. The award includes a one-time $2,000 payment, as well as one year of pre-paid ADHD coaching from the Edge Foundation. The coaching was put in place to help these students adjust to their first year of college and help them succeed in achieving their academic goals. Find more article here