Grants for Children of Disabled Parents
When one or both parents become disabled, there is often a question about how their child's education will be paid. Luckily, there are a number of grants that are available specifically for children who have a parent, or even a grandparent, who is disabled.
When one or both parents become disabled, there is often a question about how their child's education will be paid. Luckily, there are a number of grants that are available specifically for children who have a parent, or even a grandparent, who is disabled. Each program has different requirements so be sure to fully research each option.
Paralyzed Veterans of America
To qualify for a grant or scholarship through Paralyzed Veterans of America, the student must be unmarried, under age 24 and a dependent of a paralyzed veteran. Since the organization was founded in 1986, Paralyzed Veterans of America has awarded more than $300,000 worth of scholarships to qualified applicants. Parents must be a member of the organization for the student to qualify for the scholarship. Applications for the following school year are posted each April.
Through the Looking Glass
Through the Looking Glass, a nonprofit organization with the goal of assisting families with disabled members, offers a scholarship program that helps students with at least one disabled parent pay for their college education. Both high school seniors and current college students are eligible for the scholarship; but the student also must be under age 21. Through the Looking Glass awards 10 scholarships worth $1,000 each year to qualifying students.
The National MS Society Scholarship Program
The National MS Society Scholarship Program is open to children whose parent that has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. To qualify for the scholarship, the student must be a senior in high school and be entering college for the first time. As of September 2010, the National MS Society had already awarded nearly $1 million for the year. The National MS Society lists the maximum scholarship as $3,000 per year for each student, though that number can rise if the applicant has extreme circumstances, such as extreme financial needs. Applicants that are accepted into the program receive notification in late spring. Applications are available beginning Oct. 1 and are accepted for the academic year until Jan. 14.