ADHD College Scholarships For Those With Learning Disabilities
If you or your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, you may wonder how this condition can impact college and career. Knowing financing options like scholarships and alternative pathways may help you make a healthy decision toward your future.
If you are interested in college, specific scholarships are intended to be explicitly awarded to those with ADHD. You can use a few methods to learn about these financial opportunities and how to apply for them, whether you’re doing so for yourself or your child.
This article explores college scholarships for students with learning disabilities like ADHD plus information about how to apply for them, whether you’re a high school senior or an older adult. We’ll also offer resources for those who’d like to speak with a mental health professional about their symptoms and search for ADHD scholarships.
What is ADHD?
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition and form of neurodivergence often discovered and diagnosed early in a person's life— although later diagnoses are possible. Those living with ADHD can experience several symptoms, such as difficulties with self-control, remaining still, or paying attention at school or work.
Left untreated, these symptoms can impact an individual’s quality of life and affect their performance and interpersonal relationships. Finding treatment and working with a mental health professional can often help someone manage their symptoms and find success. Note that some people see ADHD as an identity instead of a disability, so accommodations may also be effective in helping an individual manage daily life in a non-accommodating society.
ADHD college scholarship programs for high school graduates
If you have an adolescent living with ADHD who is about to graduate from high school or are a neurodivergent adult looking to attend college, you may be curious about options for scholarships, federal financial aid, or federal grant programs.
If you want to attend college, it can be helpful to identify and apply for different scholarships explicitly awarded to support students with neurodevelopmental conditions or neurodiversity. If you go the financial aid route, looking for these specific scholarships could save you money when filling out your FAFSA.
You can also apply for scholarships that are not limited to those with ADHD. Going after multiple opportunities may not be harmed, particularly if they’re competitive scholarships. Widening your search can help you have a greater chance of finding one or more scholarships to guide you in your educational pursuits.
The Center for Learning Disabilities and ADHD college scholarships
The Center for Learning Disabilities is one source to check for scholarships to support students with ADHD and other documented learning disabilities in pursuing higher education. These scholarships aim to provide financial assistance and encourage academic success for students facing unique challenges related to their learning disabilities.
Organizations that may offer ADHD college scholarships
Several organizations offer scholarships, each of which has different eligibility guidelines. Some might not be specifically related to ADHD, but you can increase your chances of finding one by widening your search.
Scholarship sponsors for high school students with disabilities
If you’re looking for a scholarship for your teen or young adult child with ADHD, a few organizations you might want to check for scholarships first can include the following:
Boy Scouts
Girl Scouts
Elks Club
Rotary International
Kiwanis Club
Lions Club
If your child is living with ADHD and you're employed (or you volunteer), you can also ask your employer or organizational entity about scholarships. Larger and more prominent companies and volunteer centers may offer them.
If you’re looking for a scholarship for yourself, you might look into city, social, organizational, or labor union scholarships. The Teamsters and the AFL-CIO typically offer them. Your local mosque, synagogue, or church can also be helpful, and you may also consider checking with your Chamber of Commerce.
Research scholarships for students with learning disabilities
Lastly, you can research scholarships awarded based on extracurricular activities, ethnic background, or career goals and interests. The wider a net you cast, the higher your chances of finding a suitable option.
Scholarship opportunities for high school seniors with ADHD
Below are other options for scholarships you might take advantage of.
Vocational rehabilitation
Regardless of age, your local Vocational Rehabilitation agency may have information about scholarships. Some VR agencies offer full tuition scholarships for people with disabilities who have been diagnosed, although you may be put on a waitlist. When in a technical training program, you can meet with your advisor to discuss options for educational support. You may be required to maintain a specific GPA in school to keep your grant funding from VR.
Your school’s financial aid office
You can also visit the financial aid offices of any colleges you consider. There are many financial aid programs and federal educational grants that financial aid department counselors may be familiar with such as scholarships offered by state or local entities or even personally funded ones for which you or your child would be eligible.
The Science Graduate Student Fund
The Foundation for Science and Disability (FSD) offers this scholarship to fourth-year college students who identify as having a disability and have been accepted into a STEM graduate school.
Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Award
The Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Award is a financial award or scholarship meant to recognize the achievements of ADHD students. To qualify, you or your child must be 19 or under and have shown determination, initiative, talent, or community service that resulted in a notable accomplishment in a field like art, music, athletics, science, or math.
Landmark College Grants
Landmark College offers several scholarships, grants, and loans. They offer a need-based scholarship of up to $30,000 if you apply through the FAFSA. In addition, they offer a President’s Council Scholarship and over 20 other scholarships based on needs, such as disability status. These scholarships are available to undergraduate and graduate students.
Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship
This scholarship aims to help students looking to attend certain two-year programs after high school. It totals $5,000 awarded over two years ($2,500 a year) to a graduating high school senior who is planning to enroll in a two-year community college, technical or vocational training program, or a specialized program for students with disabilities. Students diagnosed with ADHD are encouraged to apply for the Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship.
Anne Ford Scholarship
The Anne Ford Scholarship is a $10,000 scholarship disbursed over four years ($2,500 per year). This scholarship is for graduating high school seniors who plan to enroll in a bachelor’s program. Students with ADHD who also have a learning disability are eligible to apply for the Anne Ford Scholarship.
Applying for schools as a graduating high school senior
When living with ADHD, a sense of being different from fellow students may set you apart or cause nervousness. However, talk therapy, medication, or coaching may help you learn viable studying and concentration techniques and bring you to a place of confidence and self-actualization. Many schools offer accommodations, which may also help you. Look for schools with a well-reviewed disability department and disability services in addition to scholarships.
If you’re a parent of a child with ADHD, letting your child know about scholarship opportunities early on may help them set goals for their future. If they win one of these awards, their sense of accomplishment may ease their nervousness regarding college and success.
Support options
If ADHD is disrupting your educational goals, talking to a licensed professional may be beneficial. However, it can be overwhelming to attend in-person appointments when you’re focused on applying to schools and scholarships. In this case, online platforms like BetterHelp for those 18+ and TeenCounseling for teens aged 13 to 19 may be beneficial.
Some find that online counseling offers more control over the therapeutic experience. You can find support that meets your needs via phone, video, or chat sessions. You may also be less overwhelmed, as you can choose a quiet, comfortable meeting setting instead of confronting traffic or loud waiting rooms— which you may encounter with in-person therapy office commutes.
Studies also back up the effectiveness of online therapy. In one study, researchers assessed six randomized controlled trials and found that each showed “online interventions [were] more effective than the waiting list in improving attention deficit and social function of adults and children (living) with ADHD.”
Takeaway
ADHD can affect students in college or graduate or professional school in various ways. First, although it doesn’t fall in the category of learning disabilities or a documented learning disability, ADHD can impact learning. College students with ADHD will likely need to find ways to manage their symptoms in order to learn at their best, such as using noise-canceling headphones to minimize distractions and engaging in regular physical exercise to help reduce hyperactivity and improve focus.
In addition, ADHD can affect social relationships, which are typically a significant part of the college experience for undergraduate students in particular at both community colleges and universities. For instance, excessive talking and a tendency to interrupt can make forming new relationships more difficult. Students can meet with an on-campus counselor or a therapist for support in adjusting to this phase of life.
How do you succeed with ADHD and other learning disabilities in college?
Succeeding in any educational or work setting when you have a form of neurodivergence like ADHD is certainly possible with the right accommodations and strategies. These can differ from person to person, but some examples that could be helpful for students with ADHD can include asking for extra testing time, using noise-canceling headphones when studying, and keeping a healthy, stable routine of physical exercise and nutritious eating. Some schools may also offer specialized programs for students with learning disabilities, ADHD, or other unique needs.
What symptoms might students with disabilities like ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) manifest?
ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities and forms of neurodivergence can affect college students. Symptoms of ADHD in particular in high school seniors, college students, or those of a similar age could manifest in any of three key ways. A student could have the primarily hyperactive type of ADHD, which could take the form of difficulty sitting still, frequently fidgeting, and being high-energy. They could have the primarily inattentive type, which could take the form of trouble focusing, being easily distracted, and frequently misplacing things. A person could also have the combined type of ADHD, which could include symptoms from both of these categories.
Why is it so hard for students with learning disabilities and ADHD to study?
Although it’s not classified as a learning disability, ADHD can make engaging in focused study more difficult because of the key symptoms of this form of neurodivergence. Primary symptoms can be hyperactive, inattentive, or a combination of both. Hyperactive symptoms can make it hard to sit still and study, while inattentive symptoms can make it difficult to stay on task, focus on details, and not get distracted.
Do students with learning disabilities and ADHD take longer to study?
It can take people with ADHD longer to study a given material than neurotypical students. This is because symptoms like hyperactivity and inattention can make it more difficult for them to focus long enough to adequately take in the information. Finding the right strategies for studying with ADHD can help.
Improving study motivation or skills if you’re living with ADHD can take some trial and error. Creating a quiet study space is one strategy that may help. This could include using noise-canceling headphones and turning your phone on silent. Finding ways to stay on task—such as keeping to-do lists short and focused and using timing strategies like the Pomodoro methods, could also be useful.
It can be difficult for some people with ADHD to feel motivated to engage in tasks they need to do. There may be many reasons for this, from overwhelm to trouble focusing on details to difficulty planning.
ADHD can offer the person living with it a variety of unique strengths. For many neurodivergent individuals, the ability to hyperfocus on a task they’re interested in can produce impressive outcomes. For others, a managed tendency toward impulsivity can result in enjoyable spontaneity that leads to positive memories and unique experiences. These are just a few examples; getting to know how ADHD manifests in you personally can help you uncover the potential advantages it may offer you.
There are many different coping strategies you can explore if you’re looking for ways to improve your focus with ADHD. One common approach is to minimize distractions, which can be done through things like wearing noise-canceling headphones and putting your phone on silent mode. Another way is to embrace productivity strategies like the Pomodoro method to help you direct your energy into shorter bursts of work. Seeking the support of a therapist or behavioral specialist can help you learn which methods may be best for you.
A common approach to finding your purpose is considering your strengths and your interests. People with ADHD may have many unique strengths, from the ability to hyperfocus on their interests to a tendency to think outside the box. Finding areas where these strengths can make an impact on an area you’re passionate about can be a good start for finding your purpose. Working with a therapist or counselor could also help you on this journey.
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