The Fall 2022 Scholarships Open Application Period is now closed; it will reopen in January 2023.
Steps for Application for Scholarships:
1. During open application periods please submit Qualtrics Universal Application; select all scholarships you are interested in
2. Attach all supporting documentation to application (entries will not be considered unless all requested information has been provided)
3. Anyone approved for funding must have completed the SSD intake form and have completed the initial intake meeting with a coordinator by the time of funding.
That's it!
Steps for Application for Disability Funding:
1. Submit Disability Funding Application
2. Attach any supporting documentation/essay to application (entries will not be considered unless all requested information has been provided)
3. Anyone approved for funding must have completed the SSD intake form and have completed the initial intake meeting with a coordinator by the time of funding.
Most of our scholarships are awarded based upon the greatest financial need of the student who has applied; we obtain this information directly from the Financial Aid office. Certain scholarships or funding require the submission of an additional essay or statement; in these cases, the donor has requested the additional information to aid them (or our stewards) in the selection process.
We don't guarantee availability or amount of funds in any given year, as many of our funds are expendable. And while we delight in stewarding the funds available to our students, at times we may determine a need to pause the process of stewarding based on the internal needs of our unit.
Disability Funding requests are reviewed monthly. You must have a disability to be eligible for Disability Funding.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the SSD Office by phone or email.
Disability Funding - Year Round
Who: Funded by the Adam S. Miller Memorial Fund, established in honor of Adam Stephen Miller, the late son of Marlene Miller and Alex J. Miller; also funded by the Kristi Sprecher Memorial Fund, established in honor of Kristi Sprecher, the late daughter of Dr. David and Deborah Sprecher.
What: To provide personal assistive devices, personal training, extra curricular and social activities, learning experiences and community outreach initiatives that are intended to enrich the experience of University students with disabilities.
How to Apply: Submit essay requesting funding for personal assistive devices, personal training, extra curricular and social activities, learning experiences and community outreach initiatives. Must be accompanied by supporting documentation.
Supporting documentation: unofficial transcript; disability documentation
Alex's Great State Race Support Fund - Winter
Who: Funded by the Alex’s Great State Race Student Support Fund, established in honor of the late Alexander B. Powell, a student at Michigan State who was treated at UM for cancer, by Dr. Steven and Juliana Powell and Adrienne Powell.
What: To provide scholarship support to undergraduate students who receive services from SSD
Supporting documentation: unofficial transcript; disability documentation
Caroline Sherbin Scholarship Fund - Winter
Who: Funded by the Caroline Sherbin Fund, established in honor of Caroline Sherbin, the late daughter of Elizabeth and Aaron Sherbin.
What: The fund shall be used to provide need-based support to students who have connected with the SSD office.
Supporting documentation: unofficial transcript; disability documentation
Central Student Government Campus Accessibility and Disability Affairs Commission - Fall
Who: The Campus Accessibility and Disability Affairs Commission studies and evaluates the current state of campus accessibility for students with disabilities and advocates on behalf of those students. This fund was established in support of the mission of the Commission.
What: To provide need-based scholarship support to students who have connected with SSD
Supporting documentation: unofficial transcript; disability documentation
E. Royster Harper Achievability Award - Fall
Who: Funded by the Adam S. Miller Fund, established by Alex and Marlene Miller, in honor of E. Royster Harper, who devoted her career to providing programs and support to every student at the University of Michigan so that they could achieve their full potential. The E. Royster Harper ACHIEVABILITY Award honors Dr. Harper’s commitment to creating an environment that allows every student to have Achievability.
What: Used to provide an annual award of at least $1,000 to recognize a student (s) who represents the qualities exhibited by Adam S. Miller during his lifetime and E. Royster Harper during her tenure at the University; namely, the desire to achieve without regard to boundaries and limitations and the passion and commitment to creating an environment that enables others around you to achieve.
How to Apply: Submit an essay demonstrating / outlining your desire to achieve without regard to boundaries and limitations and the passion and commitment to creating an environment that enables others around you to achieve. Must be accompanied by supporting documentation.
Supporting documentation: unofficial transcript; disability documentation
Futterman Family Support Fund - Winter
Who: Funded by the Futterman Family Support Fund, established by Adam and Elissa Futterman.
What: To provide scholarship support to undergraduate students who receive services from the SSD office. Preference given to students with Dyslexia or ADHD.
Supporting documentation: unofficial transcript; disability documentation
Wesley Smith Award - Fall
Who: Funded by Joan (Joni) and William Smith, along with their daughter Jennifer Palmer, and the Adam S. Miller Fund, established in honor of Wesley Smith, the late son of Joan and William Smith.
What: This fund is used to provide an annual award of at least $500 to an undergraduate student who has connected with the SSD office and who is deaf or hard of hearing in recognition of the student (s) curricular and co-curricular success at the University.
How to Apply: Submit an essay demonstrating / outlining campus involvement and how the award will help you. Must be accompanied by supporting documentation.
Supporting documentation: unofficial transcript; disability documentation
Beverly J. Waterman Scholarship for Hearing-Impaired Students - Winter
Who: Funded by the Beverly J. Waterman Scholarship for Hearing Impaired Students Fund, established by Shirley W. and Ara G. Paul.
What: To provide scholarship support to full time undergraduate students in good academic standing who have been certified, either medically or legally, as hearing impaired.
Supporting documentation: unofficial transcript; certification (medical OR legal) of hearing impairment
Burt Black Scholarship - Winter
Who: Managed by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) with funds from donors Herb and Christine Black.
What: This scholarship provides two $2,000 awards each year to University of Michigan students with learning or physical disabilities. The scholarships are awarded to students having the qualities of Burt Black: Optimism, determination, courage, a zest for life; Involvement in school and community; Perseverance in academic achievement. The award can be used for tuition, books, or other educational expenses related to disability accommodations.
How to apply: Submit an essay demonstrating / outlining your impact of disability; Academic achievements and goals; Qualities of optimism, determination, and courage; Demonstrated involvement in school and community; Financial barriers and needs. Must be accompanied by supporting documentation.
Supporting documentation: unofficial transcript; disability documentation
Saul & Shirley Lederer Merit Award - Fall
Who: Funded by the Adam S. Miller Fund, established by Saul and Shirley Lederer to honor their grandson Adam Miller.
What: Used to provide an annual award of at least $1,000 to recognize a student (s) enrolled at the University, connected with the SSD office, who has a hearing, visual, or mobility disability and can demonstrate that they are active in their University community.
How to Apply: Submit a one page essay describing your academic journey, accomplishments, and challenges. Please describe with details your intended use of the scholarship fund. Must be accompanied by supporting documentation.
Supporting documentation: unofficial transcript; disability documentation
Ridley Scholarship - Spring/Summer
Who: Managed by the Jesse Ridley Foundation with funds from the Jesse Ridley Foundation.
What: To provide financial assistance towards education for students with sensorimotor disabilities or chronic health conditions who have financial need.
Supporting documentation: unofficial transcript; disability documentation; short essay describing how funding from the Ridley Foundation would impact you
Norberto Salinas Memorial Fund - Fall
Who: Funded by the Norberto Salinas Memorial Fund, established by Daniel Salinas and Silvia Blemker in honor of their father Norberto Salinas.
What: To provide either direct or indirect assistance to visually-impaired students interested in pursuing a science-related course of study, with a preference for those majoring in mathematics.
Supporting documentation: unofficial transcript; disability documentation
Nabi Family Fund - Fall
Who: Funded by the Nabi Family Fund, established by Beth K. and Marc E. Nabi.
What: To provide financial aid to students with learning disabilities and to purchase technological tools to assist them with their academic work.
Supporting documentation: unofficial transcript; disability documentation
Burt Black Scholarship - Winter
Who: Managed by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) with funds from donors Herb and Christine Black.
What: This scholarship provides two $2,000 awards each year to University of Michigan students with learning or physical disabilities. The scholarships are awarded to students having the qualities of Burt Black: Optimism, determination, courage, a zest for life; Involvement in school and community; Perseverance in academic achievement. The award can be used for tuition, books, or other educational expenses related to disability accommodations.
How to apply: Submit essay demonstrating / outlining Student’s impact of disability; Academic achievements and goals; Qualities of optimism, determination, and courage; Demonstrated involvement in school and community; Financial barriers and needs. Must be accompanied by supporting documentation.
Supporting documentation: unofficial transcript; disability documentation (may include ADHD/ADD)
Futterman Family Support Fund
Who: Funded by the Futterman Family Support Fund, established by Adam and Elissa Futterman.
What: To provide scholarship support to undergraduate students who receive services from the SSD office. Preference given to students with Dyslexia or ADHD.
Supporting documentation: unofficial transcript; disability documentation
Jim and Patricia Read Support Fund - Winter
Who: Funded by the Jim and Patricia Read Support Fund, established by Jim and Patricia Read.
What: To provide a technology support fund for students with dyslexia by supporting the acquisition of new technologies and need-based distribution to students with dyslexia.
Supporting documentation: unofficial transcript; disability documentation
