Each year, the National Federation of the Blind's annual scholarship program is the largest of its kind in the nation. Every year, they award more than $120,000 to blind scholars across the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in recognition of their achievements and professional aspirations.
Thanks to generous partners, there are thirty merit-based scholarships currently available, ranging from $3,000 to $12,000. All scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, community service, and leadership. The finalists are announced every spring. They then attend the national convention in July when the winners of each individual scholarship are selected. Scholarship winners have gone on to succeed in careers ranging from computer science and engineering to civil rights law and international diplomacy.
How to Apply
Apply online or through the mail.
- Apply online using the online application.
- Apply through the mail using the print application. Download 2020 NFB Scholarship Application
Deadline
The application period for the 2020 program will be open from November 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020.
Eligibility
The following requirements apply to all applicants.
- Must be legally blind in both eyes. Fill out and submit the Confirmation of Legal Blindness form.
- Must be residing in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico.
- Must be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study in a degree program at a U.S. institution in the fall of the year of application (one scholarship may be given to a person employed full-time while attending school part-time).
- Must participate in the entire NFB National Convention and in all of its scheduled scholarship program activities (finalists will receive assistance to attend the national convention).
For more information regarding eligibility, you are strongly encouraged to review the scholarship program FAQs.
NFB/HumanWare STEM Internship
HumanWare is a leading assistive technology company that designs and manufactures products to help blind people participate equally in society. The NFB and HumanWare have collaborated to offer two STEM development internship opportunities. If you are a technically-minded student with aspirations of a career in product testing and/or marketing, you are invited to apply. The internships will take place from approximately June 15 to August 14, 2020. The two winning interns will be required to travel for a few days during the last week of the internship to the HumanWare headquarters in Montreal, Canada.
To apply, check the checkbox on the first page of the online application that says, "Yes, I would like to complete an additional application for the 2020 HumanWare internship."
Scholarships Currently Available
- Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship ($12,000)
- This scholarship is given yearly by the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults, a nonprofit organization that works to assist blind people and distributes Twin Vision® books. Dr. Kenneth Jernigan is viewed by our field as the most important figure in the 20th century in the lives of blind people. The Action Fund wishes to keep fresh and current in the 21st century the understandings he brought to the field and thus has endowed this scholarship dedicated to his memory and to the continuation of the work he began.
- Charles and Melva T. Owen Memorial Scholarship ($10,000)
- First established by Charles Owen in loving memory of his blind wife, this award is now endowed by his last will and testament to honor the memory of both. In founding the scholarship, Charles Owen wrote: “There shall be no limitation as to field of study, except that it shall be directed toward attaining financial independence.”
- Oracle Scholarship for Excellence in Computer Science ($8,000)
- Oracle seeks to hire the best and brightest talent to build its products. Oracle recognizes the significant impact that its products and technologies can have on people with disabilities. This scholarship is for a student in the field of computer science, computer engineering, user experience, or related field.
- Oracle Scholarship for Excellence in a STEM Field ($8,000)
- This scholarship awards academic excellence and leadership in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Oracle wishes to promote excellence and funds this scholarship based on Oracle's understanding of its impact on disabled employees and customers throughout the globe.
- JAWS for Windows Scholarship ($5,000)
- This scholarship is funded by the developers of the JAWS screen reader, part of Vispero. JAWS, Job Access with Speech, has been committed to expanding the opportunities of both education and employment for the blind with both speech and Braille since the late 1980s. In establishing this award Vispero said, "On behalf of all the individuals responsible for the development and support of this product over the years, we are honored to establish this scholarship for students recognized by the Federation."
- NFB STEM Scholarship ($5,000)
- This scholarship is awarded to a student studying in a STEM or related field, and is supported by contributions from the NFB's Science and Engineering and Computer Science divisions. The Science and Engineering Division is a group of blind students, professionals, and individuals committed to the success of the blind in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a related field. Members of the Computer Science Division work together to develop strategies that enable blind people to use computers more efficiently and competitively. The Science and Engineering and Computer Science Divisions wish to encourage the success of blind STEM students in their chosen field of study.
- Pearson Scholarship ($5,000)
- The Pearson award is funded by Pearson Education and is given to a student who plans a career in education. For Pearson, learning is a neverending road of discovery.
- Mimi and Marvin Sandler Scholarship ($5,000)
- The Mimi and Marvin Sandler award is funded by longtime friends of the Federation, Mr. and Mrs. Sandler. Marvin Sandler served as president of Independent Living Aids for more than thirty years. His wife and he wish to further academic excellence by sponsoring this award.
- Charles and Betty Allen Scholarship ($3,000)
- This scholarship is given by a longtime leader in the National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky. Betty and her late husband Charles began this scholarship prior to his passing to support young people in attaining higher education. Charlie, who was extremely successful, left school at an early age to care for his family, but retained a strong belief in education.
- Adrienne Asch Memorial Scholarship ($3,000)
- The Adrienne Asch Memorial Scholarship is given in loving memory of Dr. Adrienne Asch, a consummate scholar and a longtime member of our Scholarship Committee.
- Edith R. and Alvin J. Domroe Foundation Scholarship ($3,000)
- The Edith R. and Alvin J. Domroe Foundation supports college scholarships and has funded this scholarship to encourage academic excellence.
- Jeannette C. Eyerly Scholarship ($3,000)
- Mrs. Eyerly authored twenty books and numerous short stories. Her book Seeing Summer positively portrayed a blind girl and her friend who escape kidnappers together. Mrs. Eyerly was a steadfast supporter of the National Federation of the Blind. She served on the Iowa Commission for the Blind while we worked to develop the first truly effective training center in the United States.
- Charles and Melva T. Owen Memorial Scholarship ($3,000)
- First established by Charles Owen in loving memory of his blind wife, this award is now endowed by his last will and testament to honor the memory of both. In founding the scholarship, Charles Owen wrote, “There shall be no limitation as to field of study, except that it shall be directed toward attaining financial independence.”
- E. U. and Gene Parker Scholarship ($3,000)
- This scholarship honors two longtime leaders of the National Federation of the Blind whose participation stood for strong principles and strong support of the Federation’s work.
- NFB Scholarships (Sixteen $3,000 Scholarships)
- These scholarships are funded by the collective membership of the Federation. They honor achievement by blind scholars who exhibit leadership potential.
