Best Colleges and Scholarship Opportunities For Dyslexics

Happy high school senior with dyslexia looking for colleges

How Can I Find the Best College for a Student with Dyslexia?

Finding the best college is tricky for any student, but for those with learning disabilities (LDs), it can be an even bigger feat.  In fact, the perfect school is out there for practically anyone, but finding it, takes some time and persistence. There are a number of options for students with LDs from colleges that cater primarily to this population to larger universities that offer specialized programs. 

Do All Colleges Offer Accommodations for Students with Learning Disabilities?

With the proper testing in hand, all public schools as well as private schools that receive any type of federal support (including student loans) are mandated to provide reasonable accommodations, but not all institutions make it an easy task.  To read more CLICK HERE

Help with the College Search:

Many students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities can and do develop the needed skills to succeed in traditional colleges, but for those that need continued support, there are a growing number of resources that can help you find the best college that will suit one's individualized needs.  It's amazing how many options are out there:

  • small class sizes
  • project assessments instead of multiple choice tests
  • taking one intensive class at a time 
  • round table discussions instead of lectures
  • and much more

What are Resources that Can Uncover the Different College Options?

How Can Students with Dyslexia Manage the College Essay?

The college essay can be a tricky obstacle for students with dyslexia, but with the right support and resources, it can be an fun and enlightening experience.  The College Essay:  A Comprehensive 7 Session Workshop Series offers a structured approach to writing an outstanding essay.  To learn more, click on the image below:

High school student writing their college esssay

RELATED: Homeschooling Dyslexia - Pros & Cons For Your Child

Financial Aid Options for College Students with Dyslexia:

Study.com Scholarship for Students with Dyslexia

  • Amount: $500
  • The Study.com scholarship for students with dyslexia is based on academic history and extracurricular activities. Financial need will not be considered. Applicants should be pursuing an undergraduate degree in any field of study.  Go to the site for more information and to apply online.

Gemm Learning Dyslexia Scholarship

  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: April 30, 2022
  • This twice a year, undergraduate scholarship is for students with dyslexia and/or auditory processing disorder (APD). To qualify, applicants must send proof of enrollment.
  • Each applicant must also write a 500-to-650-word essay about living with  dyslexia or auditory processing disorder. Essays should be informative and inspirational, and give a unique perspective into what life is like with a learning disability.
AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability
  • Amount: $1,000
  • The AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability is awarded annually to a deserving  student with a disability who is pursuing undergraduate/graduate studies (must be at least enrolled as a sophomore in college) in an accredited university who is pursuing studies related to the health and disability, to include, but not limited to public health, health promotion, disability studies, disability research, rehabilitation engineering, audiology, disability policy, special education and majors that will impact quality of life of persons with disabilities.
Anne Ford Scholarship
  • Amount: $10,000
  • The Anne Ford Scholarship is a $10,000 scholarship ($2,500/year over four years) granted to a graduating high school senior with a documented learning disability who will be enrolled in a full-time bachelor's degree program in the fall. 
Ability Center of Greater Toledo Scholarships
  • Amount: $2,000
  • Ensuring that people with disabilities have opportunities to achieve higher education and the accompanying rewards is important to The Ability Center. Therefore, the Center provides college scholarships to area students with disabilities. Last year, The Ability Center and its Auxiliary collaborated to give out several scholarships totaling $20,000.
FinAid
  • This comprehensive financial aid website focuses on post-secondary school funding and lists college scholarships for the persons with a learning disability. There’s also some information on ways to pay for private education institutions. One helpful part of this site is their Scam Alert section that lists the most common scholarship scams, including suspicious aid offers. You can also sign up for e-mail lists and discussion groups. All in all, it’s a very useful site that’s easy to navigate and straightforward in its presentation.
Google Lime Scholarship for Students with Disabilities
  • Amount: $10,000
  • Google partnered with Lime Connect to help university students with disabilities work toward their academic goals in the field of computer science. Students must have a visible or invisible disability, be enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student at a university for the upcoming school year and plan to enroll as a full-time student at a university in the US or Canada

Pine Cone Foundation Scholarship
  • Application Deadline: 4/14/2019
  • Amount: $5,550
  • The Pine Cone Foundation supports LD students who wish to attend a California community college. Once awarded a PCF scholarship, it’s a year-round support program that can total up to $5,500 over a three-year period. 
RiSE Scholarship Foundation, Inc.
  • Amount: $2,500
  • The RiSE Scholarship Foundation, Inc. was established to reward students with learning disabilities who have shown determination, self-advocacy and success in overcoming their difficulties. The RiSE Scholarship Foundation, Inc. aims to offer meaningful scholarships to award the success of students, to bring awareness and education to the subject of learning disabilities.
Preply Scholarships Page
  • Preply has a comprehensive listing of scholarship opportunities for students with learning disabilities.