10 Scholarships for Blind Students (April 2025)

The purpose of the American Council of the Blind Scholarships is to reward outstanding blind students. Students must be legally blind in both eyes and admitted full-time to a post-secondary academic or vocational program. A minimum GPA of 3.3 is required, except in extenuating circumstances. Students who work full-time and attend school part-time may apply for the John Hebner Memorial Scholarship. Scholarship recipients are expected to attend a national convention if they are over 18.

The National Federation of the Blind offers thirty scholarships to exceptional blind scholars. Applicants must be legally blind and pursue a full-time postsecondary study in the following semester in the U.S. One scholarship may be given to a part-time student. There are no additional restrictions for most of the scholarships. However, a few require study in certain fields or other special traits. Awards are based on academic excellence, community service and financial need. Applicants must reside in the United States or Puerto Rico and attend college in the United States or Puerto Rico. Students make one application for any of the 30 awards; the members of the NFB Scholarship Committee choose the 30 winners and decide which person will receive which award. Legally blind means one is blind in both eyes according to the legal definition, which is available on the organization's website.

The purpose of the NFMC Hinda Honigman Award for the Blind is to support blind instrumentalists or vocalists. Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 25, be an instrumentalist or vocalist and submit an affidavit from an ophthalmologist stating that they are blind. Applicants must also be affiliated with the National Federation of Music Clubs.

Assistance for graduate study is awarded to blind college senior students or graduate students who have shown leadership skills, scholarship and a desire to help others. Applicants must be blind or visually impaired, Learning Ally members and college seniors and graduate students.

The purpose of the Duane Buckley Memorial Scholarship is to assist students who work to overcome challenges. Applicants must be legally blind college freshmen. A letter of recommendation, autobiographical sketch and copies of transcripts are required.

The purpose of the Kathern F. Gruber Scholarship Program is to assist the spouses, children and grandchildren of blinded veterans with their higher-learning goals. Applicants must be the spouses, children or grandchildren of a blind veteran and be accepted or enrolled at an accredited, higher learning institution.

The purpose of the Blind or Deaf Higher Education Beneficiary Grant is to support blind or deaf undergraduate or graduate Pennsylvania students attending a post-secondary institution. Applicants must be Pennsylvania residents and be enrolled at least half-time in a post-secondary institution maintaining satisfactory academic progress. Students must submit one of the following: a signed letter confirming you have been evaluated and are eligible to receive benefits from the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation or a completed, signed and dated Medical Professional Certification Form from your physician regarding their visual and/or hearing impairment.

The purpose of the Paul and Ellen Ruckes Scholarship is to support visually impaired engineering, computer science, life sciences or physical sciences students. Applicants must be U.S. citizens who are blind or visually impaired. They must be undergraduate or graduate students who are majoring in computer science, life sciences, physical sciences or engineering. Selection is based on the overall strength of the application.

The purpose of the Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Award (SAA) is to reward blind or visually impaired college seniors or graduate students. Applicants must be a blind or visually impaired student completing an undergraduate or graduate degree. Students must display academic achievement, outstanding leadership or service to others.

The purpose of the Rudolph Dillman Memorial Scholarship is to aid blind or visually impaired students who are preparing for careers in the rehabilitation or education of the blind or visually impaired. Applicants must be U.S. citizens who are blind or visually impaired. They must be undergraduate or graduate students who are preparing for careers in the education or rehabilitation of visually impaired or blind people. Previous recipients of this award are ineligible. Selection is based on the overall strength of the application.