Financial Help for Disabled Students

Some college financial aid is specific to disabled students.

Most all college students are eligible for some type of financial aid. Federal grants, scholarships and loans are available to both part-time and full-time students. Disabled students, however, may have additional resources from which to seek help.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational Rehabilitation programs are established in each state and assist disabled students by determining an individualized plan to help the student gain employment. This includes financial assistance for tuition, child-care and other career-preparedness expenses.

Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income (or SSI) is a federal program that aids older and/or disabled citizens with financial assistance. The Social Security Administration has an additional program to help students by allowing them to set aside money for education-related expenses (such as tuition) though the Plan for Achieving Self Support (or PASS) program.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available on the local, state and national level for students with disabilities. The eligibility of such awards can be encompassing the whole of all disabilities or focus on specific categories of disability, such as learning disabilities, vision or hearing loss, and other impairments of mobility or health.

References

• University of Washington: College Funding for Students with Disabilities