This spring, Texas State will award fall 2008 scholarships designated for students with disabilities.  These include the Access, Cooper, Jaksa and Nesenholtz Scholarships which give preference to students with disabilities.  Scholarship amounts will range from $250.00 to $1,000.00 based on the number of qualified scholarship applicants.  To be considered for any of these scholarships, a student must have a completed an ODS Scholarship Application by March 1.  If required by the scholarship a student who meet the scholarship criteria may also need to demonstrate a financial need based on criteria used by the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.  For more information visit the ODS TRACS site.  Information will be updated as information and approval is granted by the Office of Financial Aid. 

Access Scholarship
The Student Access Scholarship has been endowed to assist enrolled Texas State students with mobility impairments which substantially limit or impair a person’s major life activities. The scholarship is awarded each fall and spring semester.  Applicants must present documentation of a mobility impairment (or physical disability) to the Office of Disability Services (ODS) if they are not already registered with the office.  Students must complete the ODS General Scholarship Application (available upon request from the ODS or on TRACS) and specify the Student Access Scholarship. The deadline for the fall semester is March 1^st and the spring semester is November 1^st. For more information, contact the ODS.

Cooper Scholarship
The Cooper Scholarship has been endowed to assist enrolled Texas State students with any documented disability who also have a financial need. Underrepresented students receive priority when applications are reviewed. The scholarship is awarded each fall and spring semester. Applicants must present documentation of their disability to the Office of Disability Services (ODS) if they are not already registered with the office.  Students must complete the ODS General Scholarship Application (available upon request from the ODS or on TRACS) and specify the Cooper Scholarship. The deadline for the fall semester is March 1^st and the spring semester is November 1^st.  For more information, contact the ODS.

Jaksa Scholarship
The Blake Edward Jaksa Scholarship has been endowed to assist enrolled Texas State University students who have a severe hearing disorder. Prospects must have a 2.25 GPA and making progress towards a degree. The scholarship, in the amount of $500, is awarded annually.  However, if the recipient of the scholarship does not maintain a 2.25 GPA, the spring award will be revoked. The scholarship can be used to pay for books, tuition or fees.  Awards are based on documentation of need, academic performance and completeness of the application.  Students must submit a completed ODS General Scholarship Application, a completed Jaksa Scholarship Application and provide an audiological report.  Students can contact the ODS or visit the TRACS site to receive copies of the applications. The deadline for each academic year is March 1.  For more information, contact the ODS.   

Nesenholtz Memorial Scholarship
The Nesenholtz Memorial Scholarship has been endowed to assist enrolled Texas State students with physical impairments, financial need, and is a history major. The scholarship is awarded each fall and spring semester.  Applicants must present documentation of a physical impairment to the Office of Disability Services (ODS) if they are not already registered with the office.  Students must complete the ODS General Scholarship application (available upon request from the ODS or on TRACS) and specify the Nesenholtz Memorial Scholarship. The deadline for the fall semester is March 1^st and the spring semester is November 1^st.  For more information, contact the ODS.

Additional Scholarship for Students with Disabilities

Alexander Graham Bell Scholarship
The Alexander Graham Bell Scholarship is awarded to qualified students with moderate to profound hearing loss to continue their education on undergraduate and graduate levels. Preference is given to undergraduates. Students must demonstrate a serious commitment to academic and career excellence. All fields of study are welcome. The scholarship award is not renewable. It can be awarded twice, but applicants must reapply.  For more information contact the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Bank of America ADA Scholarship
The Bank of America ADA scholarship is available to students with disabilities who meet ALL the criteria outlined below.  To receive an application contact: Bank of America ADA Abilities Scholarship Program, PO Box 1465, Taylors, SC  29687-0031, phone 864-268-3363, fax 864-268-7160.

• High school senior, high school graduate or college student under the age of 40.
  Cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale through the fall 2002 semester.
• Attend a credited college in fall 2003 with the goal of earning an undergraduate academic or technical degree.
• Pursue a degree in Finance, Business or Computer Systems AND plan on a career with a banking institution.
• Must have residence in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and the District of Columbia.
• Must have written documentation from physician or service agency supporting that the candidate meets the definition of disabled as defined by the ADA.  Must be on letterhead.
• Must be a US citizen.

Beaumont Foundation of America
The Beaumont Foundation of America grants Toshiba branded equipment to support digital inclusion for under served individuals. The Foundation will grant $350 million over 5 years in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Foundation has three distinct grant programs including individual grants of technology equipment directly to individuals. For more information visit Beaumont Foundation grants @ www.bmtfoundation.com/grants/

Barry and Velma Berkey Scholarship
Barry and Velma Berkey Scholarship at George Mason University will be awarded annually to a blind or visually impaired full-time undergraduate student with an intent to major in one of the following fields: teaching, social work, music, journalism, or nursing. Applicants must maintain a "B" average whether internal, applying from high school or another college. An opthamologist certification of visual impairment is required. Applicants must be US citizens. The scholarship is renewable. For more information, please contact Deborah Wyne at the George Mason University Disability Resource Center at 703-993-2474 or visit http://apollo.gmu.edu/finaid to download an application.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
Founded under the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000 this congressionally-funded program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by the Institute of International Education. The Gilman Scholarship Program broadens the student population that studies abroad by supporting undergraduates who have been traditionally underrepresented (students with disabilities) in US study abroad and those with high financial need.

The Gilman Scholarship provides awards of up to $5,000 for U.S. citizen undergraduate students at two and four-year institutions to pursue country-based undergraduate opportunities abroad of up to one academic year. To be eligible students must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application and cannot be studying abroad in a country currently under a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning or in Cuba. The Fall 2006/Academic Year 2006-07 Application Open - Deadline: April 4, 2006. Texas State students with disabilities are encouraged to visit the office of Correspondence & Extension Studies before applying as staff members in this office can provide tips on submitting a competitive application. For more information, full eligibility criteria and the online application please access the Gilman Program web site at www.iie.org/gilman

ELA Foundation Fellowship
The ELA Foundation Fellowship, in the amount of $2,000.00, is awarded annually in August to a college or university female graduate student who has a disability and is a United States citizen.  For additional information contact the Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation.

Exceptional Nurse
Exceptional Nurse awards a scholarship of $250.00 to a qualified student with a disability to continue their education in a nursing education program. Preference is given to undergraduate students. Applicants must demonstrate a serious commitment to the academic study of nursing and career excellence. This scholarship is not renewable and will only be awarded once. For additional information visit the web site http://www.exceptionalnurse.com/scholarship.html

Lily Reintegration Scholarship
In order to be eligible for consideration for the Lilly Reintegration Scholarship, applicants must:

• Be diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder
• Be currently receiving medical treatment for the disease, including medications and psychiatric follow-up
• Be actively involved in rehabilitative or reintegrative efforts, such as clubhouse membership, part-time work, volunteer efforts or school enrollment
• Complete an application package that includes an application form, essay, transcripts (if applicable), recommendation forms from three references and school financial requirements.

The Lilly Reintegration Scholarship program is designed to offer financial assistance for a wide range of educational opportunities in which students work to attain a certificate or degree. Eligible programs include: High school equivalency programs, Trade or vocational school programs, Associate degrees, Bachelor degrees, Graduate degrees. Please note, noncredit courses are not covered under the scholarship. For more information, or to request a copy of the web application via U.S. mail, please contact us via: E-mail: lillyscholarships@reintegration.com, Phone: 800-809-8202, Mail: Lilly Secretariat, PMB 327, 310 Busse Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068-3251

National Federation of the Blind
The NFB will award thirty scholarships to high achieving legally blind students in summer 2004. Awards will range from $3,000 to $10,000.00. Most scholarships will be awarded to full-time students, however one may be awarded to a part-time student who is employed full-time and who is going back to school to improve his or her professional opportunities. The deadline for filing a scholarship application is March 31, 2004. For additional information visit NFB at www.nfb.org

Parke-Davis Epilepsy Scholarship
The Parke-Davis Epilepsy Scholarship, in the amount of $3,000.00 is awarded annually. High school seniors who have applied to a college or university, and college students continuing with college or graduate school. Applicants must be currently under a physician's care for the treatment of epilepsy and must be currently taking anti-epileptic medication.  For additional information or E-mail: info@epilepsy-scholarship.org 

Sertoma Scholarships (For Students who are Hearing Impaired)
The Sertoma Scholarship, in the amount of $1,000.00 is awarded annually in June. Students who have a documented hearing loss, are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in any discipline and have a 3.2 or better GPA are eligible for this scholarship.  For additional information contact Sertoma International.

1800Wheelchair
1800Wheelchair, a full-service online retailer of mobility equipment, today announced a call for entries for its 2008 scholarship program. Established in 2006, the program awards $500 to assist an undergraduate student of a junior or four-year college with their academic pursuits. The scholarship program was developed for college students because they represent a significant portion of people in need of mobility assistance.  To apply for the scholarship, individuals should submit a one-page essay online in response to the question, “What advice would you give to your college’s faculty and administration to help your school better assist students with disabilities?” Essays are evaluated by a committee and a winner will be chosen based on a balance of content, writing composition, and the intended use of scholarship funds. The winner’s name essay and photo will be placed on 1800wheelchair.com. Scholarship application guidelines and information can found on 1800wheelchairs’s Web site. The deadline for entries is December 20, 2007 and the company plans to announce the winner by January 30, 2008. To qualify for entry, participants must meet the following criteria: • Enrolled at an accredited college or university in the U.S. • Enrolled at the undergraduate level • Legal resident of the U.S. or hold a valid student visa • Carry a status of ‘Good Standing’ • Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0.