Do you have disability or the parent of a child with a disability and wondering about college? Are you thinking you could never afford college? You should consider one of the many college scholarships available for both general disabilities and for specific disabilities. Scholarships for people with disabilities come from foundations, organizations, schools, or a broad range of other committed providers. The following disability grants and scholarships are open to all college students with disabilities, including students with learning disabilities.

Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation Scholarship - Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation, Inc.

ELA Scholarships are available only to women graduate students with physical disabilities who are enrolled in a U.S. college or university. These scholarships are awarded on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis. See website for additional requirements. Financial data: $500-$2,000. ela.org/scholarships/scholarship.

Leslie Londer Fund for Student with Disability

Full-time graduate students with a disability who are enrolled in a communication sciences and disorders program and demonstrating outstanding academic achievement are eligible to compete for a $2,000 scholarship. Supported by the American Business Clubs and the Isenberg Fund. Financial data: $2,000.

Paralyzed Veterans of America Educational Scholarship

Applicant must demonstrate academic achievement, be a U.S. citizen and accepted or enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university. Financial data: $500. Duration: 1 year. Number awarded: 2.

Ridley Scholarship

For University of Michigan students who have a permanent disability and are in financial need and enrolled for Fall and Winter semesters. Financial data: $200-$2,000. Duration: 1 year. Number awarded: 6-7. (734) 763-3000; Email: jillric@umich.edu.

Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award

The winning playwright receives a cash award of $2,500, a membership in the Dramatists Guild, Inc., and a fellowship providing transportation, housing, and per diem to attend a prestigious playwriting program. (202) 416-8857; Fax: (202) 416-8802; Email: skshaffer@kennedy-center.org.

United Student Aid Funds Access to Education Scholarship

Financial aid for students with an annual family income of less than $35,000. Up to 50 percent of awards will be targeted to applicants who are members of an ethnic-minority group or who have a physical disability. Financial data: $1,500. Scholarship America.

There are some scholarships available that are not specific to a disability but rather are specific to wheelchair users. Some of these scholarships I found are listed below.

1-800Wheelchair.com Scholarship

Students applying for scholarship must be at least 16, enrolled at an accredited high school, college or university, a legal resident of the U.S., in good academic standing, and must complete an application essay. Preference will be given to students with mobility disabilities. Financial data: $500.

SpinLife Innovation in Motion Scholarship Program

To assist students who are manual or power wheelchair-users in their academic endeavors. Students must be enrolled at an accredited 4-year educational institution at the undergraduate level. Financial data: $500. Number awarded: 2. (614) 564-1400 ext. 122; Email: collegescholarships@spinlife.com.

AmeriGlide Achiever Scholarship

AmeriGlide Achiever Scholarship is offered to full-time college students who use wheelchairs; provides financial assistance for books or other school-related supplies to deserving mobility-challenged students. collegescholarships@ameriglide.com. Call 800-790-1635; or visit website @ http://www.ameriglide.com/scholarship.

The Jackson-Stricks Scholarship Fund

The Jackson-Stricks Scholarship Fund provides financial aid to a physically challenged person for academic study or vocational training that leads to independent living. http://www.ncjwny.org/services_scholarships.htm.

Talk with your child’s school counselor for more information on scholarships. Your local library and Department of Labor also has reference books that may help. It’s also important that you meet with the student disabilities representative at the college you are considering to discuss your specific needs. Don’t let a disability or financial need stand in the way of your college degree or technical diploma. There are resources available…it just takes time and effort to find them.

Pam Rasmussen is a resident of LaFayette. She is a mother of a child with Spina Bifida and an advocate of special needs children and adults. She can be contacted at jraz1230@comcast.net.