National & State Scholarships Available!

The National Federation of the Blind believes in investing in the future by supporting the college education of deserving legally blind students. We urge you to apply to both.

National Scholarship Program

Every year, the National Federation of the Blind awards more than $240,000 to blind scholars across the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in recognition of their achievements and professional aspirations. The scholarship program is our commitment to academic excellence and leadership among blind students, and each winner is awarded on the basis of academic excellence, community service, and leadership. The application process opens December 1. Review the scholarship application checklist and the scholarship program FAQs. Share this opportunity that invests in the future of blind people. Learn about the eligibility and requirements of the national scholarship program at the scholarship webpage. All blind high school and college students are encouraged to apply!

State Scholarship Program

The National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut’s annual scholarship program awards up to $18,500 to blind scholars across the state (two finalists receives $3,000.00, two finalists receives $5,000, and one finalist receives $2,500.00). Any legally blind, full-time college student or graduating high school seniors who will be attending college full-time in the fall of 2022 may apply. All finalists must attend the entire National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut state convention, to be held in the fall. All blind high school seniors and college students are encouraged to apply! Click here to learn more about the state scholarship program.

Brian Cummins Memorial Scholarship

The National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut’s annual Brian Cummins Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by the Brendan Cummins family, awards at least $2,500 to scholars across the state. Any full-time college student or graduating high school seniors who will be attending college full-time in the fall with plans to teach blind and visually impaired students may apply. All finalists must attend the entire National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut state convention, to be held in the fall. All high school seniors and college students are encouraged to apply! Click here to learn more.

The application deadline for the national scholarship program is March 31. The application deadline for the state scholarship program and the Brian Cummins Memorial Scholarship is September 1.

Grants

Technology Grant

The NFB of CT Technology Grant will be awarded twice per calendar year. To be eligible, you must be an NFB member in good standing and have not been a previous recipient for two years. Click here to learn more about the Technology Grant.

Harlow Grant

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (www.cfgnh.org) is a philanthropic institution whose mission is to build a more connected, inclusive, equitable and philanthropic community in Greater New Haven. The Foundation has committed support for The Harlow Grant, which will be administered by the NFB of CT and is a means through which Connecticut's blind and visually impaired community can receive assistance in the pursuit of training, education, employment, independent living and technological advancement. Eligible members must be residents of the Foundation’s served communities.Click here to learn more about the Harlow Grant!

Also Read:

• The Secret to Winning a National Federation of the Blind Scholarship by Kate Mendez (The Braille Monitor, February 2020)
• Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship by Tracy Soforenko (The Braille Monitor, December 2020)