Scholarships Available through DSS
Kansas State University offers scholarship opportunities to students with disabilities. Scholarship funding is available to students with disabilities through Educational Opportunity Funds, departmental funds and private scholarship funds. K-State students with all types of disabilities including physical, learning, sensory, psychological, and chronic health impairments may be eligible.
How to Apply
All K-State students must complete and submit a K-State Scholarship application form each year to be considered for scholarships. Apply electronically through Office of Financial Aid at www.k-state.edu/sfa/scholarships/. On the form, students should check the box “I am a student with a disability. I will send further information.” Documentation of your disability and a brief essay is required and should be sent to the DSS office.
Deadlines
In order to qualify for scholarships, prospective and incoming freshmen students must be admitted to the University and have completed a K-State scholarship application by November 1. The priority date for current students and transfer students is February 15.
Essay and Disability Documentation Requirements
A brief essay (50 words) describing their disability and how it impacts their lives, any unique circumstances, the need for financial assistance, as well as their future goals, is required. Students currently registered with Disability Support Services who have their disability documentation on file do not need to send additional disability-related documentation; however, an essay is still required. Those who are not registered must provide documentation of a disability from an appropriate professional. These scholarships are not automatically renewed and students are encouraged to apply each year.
Available Scholarships offered through DSS
- Academic Promise Scholarship
- Educational Opportunity Funds
- James K. Shaver Scholarship
- Mary Ann Walker Scholarship
- The Positive Lifestyle Scholarship
Selection Process
A Scholarship Committee composed of K-State faculty, graduate students, and staff from Disability Support Services screens all applications. The Committee will review each student's essay, grade point average, the individual scholarship requirements, and financial need to determine the best candidates for each scholarship.
Other Scholarships for Students with Disabilities- Kansas State University Departmental Scholarships
- Private foundations and national organizations for specific disabilities and businesses such as:
- Federal Student Aid
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- Learning Disabilities Association of Kansas
- National Federation of the Blind of Kansas
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society
- Learning Ally
- Sertoma International Communicative Disorder Scholarship
- Sertoma International Scholarship for Students who are Hard of Hearing or Deaf
- Lilly Reintegration Scholarship (For persons diagnosed with bipolar, schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, or schizoaffective disorder)
- American Foundation for the Blind
- American Council of the Blind
- Lighthouse International (For persons with low vision & blindness)
A good reference tool for students with disabilities seeking scholarships is the book Financial Aid for Persons with Disabilities and Their Families 2012-2014 by Gail A. Schlachter and R. David Weber.
A good online resource is found at the University of Washington's DO-IT website at http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Academics/financial-aid.html.