STC AccessAbility SIG
A Blog About Accessibility and Technical Communication

Each year, the National Federation of the Blind grants thirty scholarships to legally blind persons in higher education from college freshmen to doctoral candidates for academic excellence, community service, and financial need. The scholarships range in value from $3000 to $12,000.

• Title: Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship
  One scholarship of $12,000 supports a blind scholar pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study.
• Title: Melva T. Owen Memorial Scholarship
  One scholarship of $10,000 is awarded to a blind student in any field of study, as long as the award helps the student to attain financial independence. The scholarship excludes religion and those seeking only further general or cultural education. Eligible applicants must be legally blind and pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study.
• Title: National Federation of the Blind Scholarships
  Two scholarship of $7,000 are awarded with no additional restrictions.
• Title: Hank LeBonne Scholarship
  One scholarship of $5,000 is awarded. Hank LeBonne was a man who loved life and loved the National Federation of the Blind. His last wish was that his remaining assets be used to help young blind men and women have the same opportunities in life he enjoyed. No additional restrictions.
• Title: Jennica Ferguson Memorial Scholarship
  One scholarship of $5,000 is awarded. Given to keep alive the memory of a young woman who dealt with her blindness and terminal illness with a grace and strength she frequently assured others she drew from the Federation and from her faith in God. No additional restrictions.
• Title: Michael and Marie Marucci Scholarship
  One scholarship of $5,000 is awarded to a legally blind student who is studying a foreign language or comparative literature; pursuing a degree in history, geography, or political science with a concentration in international studies; or majoring in any other discipline that involves study abroad. The winner’s file must also show evidence of competence in a foreign language.
• Title: Sally S. Jacobsen Scholarship
  One scholarship of $5,000 is awarded to commemorate Sally’s indomitable spirit; education (education of disabled youth preferred); no additional restrictions.
• Title: Hermione Grant Calhoun Scholarship
  One scholarship of $3,000 is awarded to a female blind student. Eligible applicants must be legally blind and pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study.
• Title: Kuchler-Killian Memorial Scholarship
  One scholarship of $3,000 is awarded to a legally blind student who is pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study.
• Title: E. U. Parker Scholarship
  One scholarship of $3,000 is awarded to honor a long-time leader of the National Federation of the Blind whose participation stood for strong principles and strong support of the Federation’s work. No additional restrictions.
• Title: Howard Brown Rickard Scholarship
  One scholarship of $3,000 is awarded to a blind scholar studying or planning to study in the fields of law, medicine, engineering, architecture, or the natural sciences. Eligible applicants must be legally blind and pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post- secondary course of study.
• Title: Charles and Melva T. Owen Memorial Scholarship
  One scholarship of $3,000 is awarded to a blind student in any field of study, as long as the award helps the student to attain financial independence. The scholarship excludes religion and those seeking only further general or cultural education. Eligible applicants must be legally blind and pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study.
• National Federation of the Blind Computer Science Scholarship
  One scholarship of $3,000 is awarded to a student who must be studying in the computer science field.
• Title: National Federation of the Blind Educator of Tomorrow Award
  One scholarship of $3,000 is awarded to a student who must be planning a career in elementary, secondary, or postsecondary teaching.
• Title: Fifteen National Federation of the Blind Scholarships
  of $3,000. No additional restrictions.