ADHD Scholarships for College Students

Continuing education may not be as costly as you think

College Scholarships

 Virojt Changyencham / Getty Images

Table of Contents
View All
Table of Contents

So, you likely have graduated or are about to graduate from high school (which, let's be honest, isn't exactly an easy feat when you have ADHD)! But what's next? We know how daunting it can be to think about what your future path will look like.

Though, if college is indeed in your plans, you may be surprised to learn that there are scholarships for students with learning disabilities, including those with ADHD.

Searching for ADHD Scholarships

When scouting ADHD scholarships for college, you may want to widen your search to include scholarships available for people with disabilities in general. You may also want to explore private scholarships that have nothing to do with ADHD.

For example, you might be eligible for scholarships depending on your study interests and career goals, ethnic background, religious affiliation, extracurricular activities, military experience, and your parents’ place of employment. If you are employed or volunteering, ask your company if they offer scholarships.

The financial aid office at the colleges you are considering is often the best resource for scholarship information. Financial aid counselors will be familiar with local, state, and private sources of funding.

Your local state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency is another resource that may be able to assist in your scholarship search. You can find the contact information for your state VR office online.

Many organizations also offer scholarships. If you or a parent is involved with any of these groups, investigate the below scholarship opportunities.

Organization-Based Scholarships

  • Boy Scouts of America
  • Elks Club
  • Girl Scouts of the United States of America
  • Kiwanis Club
  • Lions Club
  • Rotary International

Major labor unions such as the AFL-CIO and Teamsters offer scholarships for members and their children. Your church or synagogue may even have scholarships. Check with your local chamber of commerce to see what they may have available as well.

List of ADHD Scholarships

The following are scholarship programs that have been available to students with ADHD. Requirements and availability can change yearly. Check websites for current details.

Anne Ford and Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarships

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 or ADHD diagnosis who will be enrolled in a full-time bachelor’s degree program.

The Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship is a $5,000 scholarship awarded over two years ($2,500 each year) to a graduating high school senior with documented ADHD or a learning disability who will be enrolled in a two-year community college, a vocational or technical training program, or a specialized program for students with learning disabilities.

Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Award

This $1,000 award recognizes the strengths and accomplishments of young people with learning disabilities and ADHD. It is given to a student 19 or younger who "has demonstrated initiative, talent, and determination resulting in a notable accomplishment in any field—including art, music, science, math, athletics, or community service." Honorable mentions are also awarded.

Incight Scholarship

The Incight Scholarship is an award for students with physical, learning, cognitive, hearing, or visual disabilities who are residents of Washington, Oregon, or California.

Johnson Scholarship

The Johnson Scholarship Foundation does not give money to individuals directly but instead runs the Johnson Scholarship program through State University System of Florida (SUS) institutions. The Johnson Scholarship is a competitively awarded program available to undergraduate students with disabilities with financial needs.

Scholarships for Kids With Other Learning Disabilities

There are other scholarships available to students coping with other learning disabilities, but not ADHD alone. As many kids with ADHD are dealing with other learning disabilities, the following options may also be available.

Learning Disabilities Association of Iowa

The Learning Disabilities Association of Iowa awards scholarships to Iowa high school seniors with language-related learning disabilities. Students must have a demonstrated financial need and plan to pursue a visual arts career.

Marion Huber Learning Through Listening Award

Each year Marion Huber Learning Through Listening Awards are given to six high school seniors with dyslexia and other reading-related learning disabilities who plan to continue their education after graduation. The top three winners receive $6,000 each. There also are three special honors winners that receive $2,000 each.

Applicants must be Learning Ally members and are selected based on their academic achievement, outstanding leadership, and service to others.

P. Buckley Moss Endowed Scholarship

Scholarships are awarded to at least one high school senior with financial needs, a certified specific language-related learning disability, and artistic talent who plan to have a visual arts career.

Ralph G. Norman Scholarship Award

Available to Arkansas residents only, the Ralph G. Norman Scholarship fund was established to assist young adults with learning disabilities so they may obtain success in furthering their education. This $2,500 scholarship is awarded based on the applicant's commitment to higher education, self-advocacy skills, and community involvement.

8 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. National Center for Learning Disabilities. Scholarships and awards. 2021.

  2. Smart Kids With Learning Disabilities. Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Award. 2021.

  3. Incight. Scholarship. 2021.

  4. The Johnson Scholarship Foundation. People with disabilities. 2021.

  5. The Learning Disability Association of Iowa. Scholarships. 2021.

  6. Learning Ally. Marion Huber Learning Through Listening Awards. 2021.

  7. P. Buckley Moss Foundation. P. Buckley Moss Endowed Scholarship. 2021.

  8. Learning Disabilities Association of Arkansas. Ralph G. Norman Scholarship information. 2021.

By Keath Low
 Keath Low, MA, is a therapist and clinical scientist with the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities at the University of North Carolina. She specializes in treatment of ADD/ADHD.