NAVIGATING COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AND

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY

Because she was in the National Honor Society, Abby Dreyer looked for honors programs at universities and learned that ECSU’s honors program pays full tuition.

She also contacted ECSU’s Office of AccessAbility Services, which linked her to a disability-focused scholarship that helps cover part of her housing and food costs.

“Always do your research on websites and via direct email to accessibility offices,” she advises, noting that each person knows their own needs best.

NAVIGATING COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AND

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY

Abby Dreyer, who lives with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and uses a power wheelchair, is studying business administration at Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU).

She is an MDA Scholar and wrote a Quest Blog post about transitioning to college and living independently.

Her small-town high school was not helpful in her college search, so Abby took on the research herself.

 

NAVIGATING COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AND

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY

SSI provides monthly payments to people with disabilities who have little or no income.

State-run agencies provide VR funds to help people with disabilities find and keep jobs.

They may cover education-related expenses that help position a person to join the workforce.

“We all know it’s more expensive to live as a person with a disability,” says Annie Tulkin, MS, CEO and Founder of Accessible College, LLC.

“The more funds you keep in your own pocket, the more you can live independently in school and after graduation.”

DEAR CITY/COUNTY:

IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO MARK AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS                   HOLE IN A MAJOR CROSSWALK WITH A CONE

When something is capable of tripping a pedestrian or tossing a wheelchair user to the ground, we fix it immediately. 

Double utility volts in the curb ramp and uneven pavement also are epic fails of pedestrian mobility.

A bad built environment is why people with disabilities are the most under- and unemployed of all marginalized groups.

Acknowledging a safety threatening hole in the crosswalk and buckled pavement, but neglecting to fix it…

This is like waiting to see a renowned cancer doctor. And she says yes, you have cancer, but I’m not going to treat it.

Pedestrians are not second class citizens.

NAVIGATING COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AND

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY

Annie Tulkin, MS, CEO and Founder of Accessible College, LLC, offers these essential tips for students:

For ongoing financial support, stay in contact with your college or university’s financial aid office and disability or accessibility office.

For support with expenses related to personal care attendants, accessible housing, and transportation, pursue Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI) and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) funds.

NAVIGATING COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AND

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY

Annie Tulkin, MS, CEO and Founder of Accessible College, LLC, offers these essential tips for students:

Work with your high school counselor.

Most high schools have access to college planning platforms that can help find financial aid.

Use the Swift Student Form to create a Disability Expenses Request Letter and submit it to your college or university’s financial aid office.

Federal law allows financial aid officers to consider disability-related expenses when determining the amount of financial aid a student can receive.

NAVIGATING COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AND

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WITH A DISABILITY

Annie Tulkin, MS, CEO and Founder of Accessible College, LLC, offers these essential tips for students:

Before applying for college funding, understand each funding source’s requirements and how much time you will need to meet them.

Many scholarships require personal essays and letters of recommendation, which take time to write.

Look for scholarships offered by organizations that support people with your diagnosis.

(For example, MDA’s scholarship for students with neuromuscular diseases.)