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Scholarships & Grants

Alexander Graham Bell (AG Bell) Association for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Promotes the use of listening and spoken language for infants, young children and adults who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (rather than signed or visual languages). Their website provides a lot of resources for parents, including financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
3417 Volta Place Northwest, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 337-5220
agbell.org

American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)

The country’s largest cross-disability membership organization advocating for political and economic power for those with disabilities. They offer academic scholarships, mentorship programs, paid internships, and the Fannie Lou Hamer summer leadership program for Black disabled individuals. Their website has helpful information on policies affecting people with disabilities, and current political news.
1030 15th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 521-4316 or (800) 840-8844
aapd.com

American Council of the Blind Ohio (ACBO)

Strives to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and quality of life, for all blind and visually impaired Ohioans. The Matching Grants program provides funds for any blind or visually impaired resident of Ohio to pay half the cost of a purchase up to $1000 for new adaptive equipment (including screen readers, magnifiers, and more). They also offer post-secondary scholarships for blind or low vision entering freshman in any field of study.
3805 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 261-3561
ACBOhio.org

Do More Foundation

Offers financial assistance for families who need financial help due to their child’s medical needs. Includes help with utility/rent bills, meal expenses while at the hospital, gas expenses for travel to and from hospital or doctor visits, non-covered medical expenses, non-covered supplies that would aid the child in their treatment and funeral expenses related to the death of a child. Go online for additional contact information and to apply for assistance.
PO Box 1981, Pompano Beach, Florida 33061
(954) 857-9059
TheDoMoreFoundation.org

DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking & Technology)

Hosts programs and projects for precollege and college students with disabilities, and advocates for universal design in the workplace. Families and professionals can find a wealth of information on their website on career readiness, mentorship programs, accessible classrooms, and technology. They also have a list of Scholarships for students with disabilities.
Voice/TTY: (206) 685-3648 or (888) 972-3648
doit.uw.edu

Kiwanis Northwest Columbus

Volunteer organization serving kids in Northwest Columbus. They host several youth soccer programs, including Kiwanis Soccer Buddies for children K-6 with disabilities They also volunteer for habitat restoration at Upper Arlington parks, host Aktion Club for adults with disabilities, and award college scholarships to high school students with or without a documented disability. Find program details and contact information online.
northwestkiwanis.com

Lighthouse Guild’s Vision Loss Tele-Support Groups

Non-profit healthcare organization for visually impaired persons. Provides free tele-support groups, including groups for high school students with vision loss and for parents of those with vision loss. Groups meet weekly by phone to share experiences and discuss related topics. The website also has helpful educational information on vision loss, scholarship opportunities, and more.
Support Groups: (212) 769-6344
All Services: (800) 284-4422
LighthouseGuild.org

Michael Dean Gibbs (MDG) Foundation Grants for Youth in Licking County

Awards scholarships for youth who live or go to school in or near Licking County. The Empowerment Scholarship may be used to cover tuition, equipment, supplies or other costs for academic, artistic, or athletic/recreational activities. The Inclusion Award provides funding for kids with disabilities, delays, or giftedness to reach their full potential. The Change-Maker Grant is for children or groups to implement a project that makes their community a better place. Scholarships are awarded to youth up to grade 12 or pursuing a GED. The MDG Foundation was founded in honor of Michael Dean Gibbs, a former resident of Granville, Ohio, who passed away from ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease in 2018. Application deadlines are quarterly throughout the year. Visit the website to apply.
michaeldeangibbs.org

National Center on DeafBlindness (NCDB) and Ohio Center for Deafblind Education (OCDBE)

A national technical assistance center. They work with state deafblind projects and other partners to improve education and quality of life for children who are deafblind. The Learning Resources section of the website has important information for families and professionals. Topics include information on assessment, education and learning, life skills, transition planning, and more. The website is available in English and Spanish.
(1-516) 366-0047
NationalDB.org/For-Families/Learning-Resources

The Ohio Center for Deafblind Education Services (OCDBE) is a technical assistance center serving deafblind children in Ohio. They work with Ohio PreK-12 schools to improve educational achievement and adult-transition. Their website has helpful information on early intervention, transition resources, and parenting. The Deafblind Technical Assistance Program (DBTAP) provides free consultation services to families and educators to identify concerns and make recommendations for education and postsecondary transition. Visit the website and complete the Consultation Services Request form to get started. They also offer a limited number of Parent Scholarships each year for parents to attend educational opportunities on topics of interest to parents of children with deafblindness.
(614) 897-0020
OhioDeafBlind.com

National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)

Their website provides lots of great resources and information about Down Syndrome throughout the lifespan. They offer regular webinars and family programs, scholarships, and more.
1155 Fifteenth Street Northwest, Washington D.C. 20005
(800) 221-4602
ndss.org

National Federation of the Blind (NFB)

Advances the lives of blind people in the United States, with chapters in each state. Their website has many resources for blind people, parents, and educators. Programs include:

  • Tools for Independence: Provides free long white canes, slates, and styluses for blind or low-vision people in the United States. Visit the website and create an account to request items.
  • NFB-Newsline: A free audio news service for anyone who is blind, low-vision, deafblind, dyslexic, or otherwise print-disabled offering access to books, magazines, newspapers, emergency weather alerts, job listings, and more. They also have a youth version with kid and teen-friendly content. You must apply and register online for access.
    Columbus Newsline: (614) 448-1673
  • NFB Ohio Scholarship Program: Offers scholarships to outstanding blind students who currently live in or are attending college in the state of Ohio each academic year.
  • Braille Reading Pals Club: Sign up for free Braille books, activities, birthday cards, and more for blind children 0-8 years old.

National: (410) 659-9314
NFB.org
Ohio Chapter: (937) 829-3368
NFBOhio.org

Ohio Department of Education (ODEW) Scholarship Programs

Ohio provides scholarships to private schools for students attending low-performing public schools, scholarships for families considered low income, and students with learning disabilities to schools or programs to meet students’ needs. Go online for information about the EdChoice Program, Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program, Autism Scholarship Program, and additional educational resources.
25 South Front Street, Mail Stop 309, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 728-2743 or (877) 644-6338
education.ohio.gov/Scholarships

Ohio Department of Education (ODEW) Special Education

Find state-sponsored information and programs for parents and professionals about supporting students in special and gifted education. Provides information on accessing accommodations and behavioral supports, filing a complaint or requesting mediation, scholarships, and more. Their website also has helpful print-outs available in many languages.
25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 466-2650 or (877) 644-6338
TTY: Call Ohio Relay Service at (800) 750-0750
education.ohio.gov/Topics/Special-Education

Ohio Department of Medicaid Waiver Services

Ohio Medicaid Waivers help eligible customers with disabilities or chronic health conditions pay for healthcare costs and access care at home or in the community rather than a long-term care facility. Covered services may include personal care, transportation, respite services, supported employment, nutrition services, assistive devices, home modifications and interpreter services. Each state has its own waiver program with distinct eligibility requirements, and there is typically a waiting list. Apply through Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities or Franklin County Job and Family Services, depending on the waiver program.

Contact your local Board of Developmental Disabilities or Department of Job and Family Services to start the waiver application process.

Job & Family Services Offices: cap4kids.org/columbus/franklin-county-jfs
County Boards of Developmental Disabilities Offices: cap4kids.org/columbus/department-of-developmental-disabilities
Franklin County Board of Developmental Disabilities 24/7 Service Coordination: (614) 464-2743
Franklin County Job and Family Services: (844) 640-6446

Oracle Health Foundation Pediatric Grants

Provides financial grants to help cover costs related to children’s healthcare needs. Grants are provided for clinical costs, equipment costs, displacement, or vehicle modification. Examples of expenses covered include lodging and transportation related to a child’s care, clinical procedures, medicine, care devices/medical equipment, and assistive equipment. The grant recipient must be 21 years of age or younger, be under the care of a physician, and have no existing insurance coverage for the requested expenses. Families may request funds once per 12 months, with a maximum of three times in a child’s lifetime. Visit the website to complete an application.
OracleHealthFoundation.org/Pediatric-Grants

Surfgimp Foundation

Provides financial grants for people with disabilities to pursue an active life. Funds may be used for equipment, travel, support personnel, entry fees, etc. to participate in physical activities. Grant applications open once per year, typically in the fall. Check the website for deadlines and application details.
PO Box 5153, Arlington, Virginia 22205
surfgimpfoundation.org

The LENN Foundation

Family-owned nonprofit providing grant assistance for children with Cerebral Palsy to receive pediatric intensive therapies. Visit the website to contact the organization.
102 West Main Street, New Albany, Ohio 43054
thelennfoundation.org/contact

The Mother Ship

Serves: Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers of special-needs children.
Nonprofit operating in Central Ohio including Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Fairfield, Pickaway, Madison, and Union Counties, supporting the needs of caregivers. They host fun events and gatherings for caregivers and provide financial assistance through grants that can be used towards their own school, medical needs, self-care, housecleaning, and more. Contact them online.
themothershipinc.com

UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF)

Provides medical grants for families to pay for healthcare services related to a major medical condition that are not covered by their family’s insurance plan. Children must be 16 years old or younger, be a U.S. citizen, and have coverage through a commercial health plan to qualify for a grant. Families must meet income eligibility requirements. Applications must be submitted on a computer, not phone or tablet. Visit the website for a full list of requirements and for application instructions.
(855) 698-4223
UHCCF.org

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