Scholarships are a big topic of discussion within the bleeding disorders community. Many scholarships are available, but tracking down the information for each can be difficult. To help get you started, we’ve created a list of scholarships available for people with disabilities, including bleeding disorders. Read on for a rundown on these scholarships, who’s eligible for them, how to apply (and when), and how much they offer.
What Types of Hemophilia Scholarships Are There?
There are a number of different scholarships, each with their own goals, parameters, and benefits. What connects these programs are some baseline criteria: They are available only to people who have a diagnosed bleeding disorder (with a few exceptions), are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and are entering an accredited undergraduate university in the United States. More specific and/or additional criteria will depend on the program, and will be mentioned below.
Standard submission materials you’ll need to provide for any of these scholarship programs include a resume, transcripts, letter(s) of recommendation, and evidence of enrollment into an accredited college. Any different or additional materials also depend on the program, and will be mentioned below.
Jason Fulton Memorial Leadership Fund
Award:$2,500-$3,000. Deadline: Application process begins in spring 2023.
NHF’s scholarship honors the memory of Jason Fulton, who had hemophilia and died in 1995 at age 24 from complications of HIV that he acquired from blood products taken to treat his hemophilia. The scholarship is for a paid internship through the National Hemophilia Foundation.
The scholarship is awarded to past and current members of the NHF National Youth Leadership Institute (NYLI), particularly those who demonstrate “Fulton’s determination, passion, and work ethic in supporting the blood and bleeding disorders community.” The NYLI is a two-year program designed to assist young people from the bleeding disorders community in becoming well-trained, recognized leaders.
BioMatrix Scholarships for the Bleeding Disorders Community
Award: $1,000. Deadline: August 1, 2023.
In partnership with the Hemophilia Federation of America (HFA), BioMatrix Specialty Pharmacy offers six $1,000 scholarships, each one available exclusively to certain demographics within the bleeding disorders community, including women, men, patients with inhibitors, and immediate family members. Each scholarship is named after and in memory of an individual who had an impact on the bleeding disorders community.
Applications are currently closed but will reopen March 2023.
Aside from demographic restrictions, applicants to any of the six programs must be enrolled in college as a full-time student, and must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale during their entire senior year of high school or current year of college or graduate school. In addition to standard submission materials, applicants must provide a copy of ACT or SAT scores (incoming freshmen only) and a 300-to 400-word essay.
Employees and family members affiliated with BioMatrix and its family of companies cannot apply.
Christopher Mark Pitkin Memorial Scholarship
Award: $1,000. Deadline: May or June 2023 (Stay tuned for the specific date).
The Hemophilia Foundation of Southern California (HFSC) created this scholarship in honor of Chris Pitkin, a health policy consultant and advocate and former president of HFSC.
Applicants must be residents of, or have permanent addresses in, one of the following Southern California counties: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Kern, Inyo, and Santa Barbara.
Required submission materials are standard, though applicants must provide two letters of recommendation from teachers, guidance counselors, employers, or other mentors.
disABLEDperson Inc. National Scholarship for College Students with Disabilities
Award: $2,000. Deadline: Mid November for fall program; March 31, 2023 for spring 2023 program.
disABLEDperson’s fall and spring scholarships are awarded to the winner of a competition in which participants submit an essay — no longer than 1,000 words — based on a prompt.
The organization closed applications for its Fall 2022 scholarship program on Nov. 16, though applicants have until March 31 to apply for its spring program. The scholarship is not exclusively for people in the bleeding disorders community, but applicants must prove disability and matriculation through their Disability Student Services department. disABLEDperson defines disability as described under the ADA.
Eric Dostie Memorial College Scholarship
Award: $1,000. Deadline: March 1, 2023 (based on 2022 deadline).
Created by Nufactor, a specialty infusion company, the scholarship is named in honor of Eric Steven Dostie, a 5-year-old boy with hemophilia who was murdered in 1994. The scholarship is available to students with hemophilia or a related bleeding disorder, or to their immediate family members (parent, spouse, sibling, or child). Applicants must also have a current minimum GPA of 2.5.
Scholarships are granted to 10 students who can best demonstrate scholastic achievement, community service, and financial need. Applicants must submit an essay describing how their education will be used to serve humankind and to encourage self-improvement and enrichment.
Applications for the 2023 Eric Dostie Memorial College Scholarship opened in November 2022.
Faith Hope and Love Jesus Inc. College Scholarship
Award: $500. Deadline: May 1, 2023.
The organization’s scholarship is available to childhood cancer survivors or people with bleeding disorders. To be eligible, students must submit a 500-word essay on any topic they choose.
In addition to standard submission materials, applicants must submit a letterhead from their doctor documenting a history of a blood disorder or cancer diagnosed before the age of 18. The documentation should include date of birth and date of diagnosis.
The scholarship submission period begins every year on Aug. 2; applications must be submitted no later than May 1.
George D. McCoy Education Scholarship
Award: $1,000. Deadline: May 15, 2023.
Funded by the Bleeding Disorders Foundation of North Carolina (formerly known as Hemophilia of North Carolina), this scholarship is intended for people with severe hemophilia A. Applicants don’t need to be — nor will any preference be given to — residents of North Carolina.
Applicants must submit a one-to-two-page essay describing their occupational goals and objectives, and how their experience — or their family’s experience — with hemophilia has affected their choices. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to include a copy of their current FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or other statements of need with their application.
Materials required are standard, though applicants must provide two letters of recommendation.
GLHF Career Development Scholarship
Award: Up to $500 per class. Deadline: Open throughout the year.
The Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation (GLHF) Career Development Scholarship is available to people who are continuing education in a nontraditional or nondegree format, including education programs that specialize in skilled trades, applied sciences, modern technologies, or career advancement — students taking classes in welding, accounting, dental hygiene, or computer programs, for example.
This scholarship is intended for those living with bleeding disorders; parents and spouses are also eligible. Applicants must be Wisconsin residents or receive care at a Wisconsin hemophilia treatment center.
GLHF College Bound Scholarship
Award: Amount varies. Deadline: Open throughout the year.
This GLHF scholarship offers students ages 11-17 a chance to attend college preparatory courses. The programs or classes applicants’ select should help prepare them for the college experience and assist with career direction. Examples of eligible programs include College for Kids programs or tutoring for ACT or SAT preparation.
GLHF Education Scholarship
Award: $250-$3,000. Deadline: March 15, 2023
This scholarship is available to students with a bleeding disorder (or parents, spouses, or siblings) who attend an accredited university or vocational/technical school. Students must be Wisconsin residents or receive care at a Wisconsin hemophilia treatment center.
Google Lime Scholarship
Award: $10,000. Deadline: TBD.
In partnership with Lime Connect, a nonprofit organization that supports students with disabilities, Google offers scholarships to students with disabilities who are pursuing careers in computer science. Students in the U.S. and Canada are eligible for the Google Lime Scholarship (the award for Canadian students is CA$5,000).
Applicants must be pursuing a degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a degree in a closely related technical field, and must exemplify leadership and demonstrate a passion for computer science and technology.
The applications window is currently closed but will reopen in early 2023.
Jack Scura Fund
Award: $10,000. Deadline: June 15, 2023 (based on 2022 deadline).
The Jack Scura Fund offers a scholarship to high school seniors with any disability who will be enrolling in — or have enrolled in — an undergraduate program at a New Jersey college. The program is named in memory of John (“Jack”) Joseph Scura II, who died in 2018 and was founding partner of the firm Scura, Wigfield, Heyer, Stevens & Cammarota.
Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.2 to be eligible. In addition to standard submission materials, applicants must provide two letters of recommendation, a media release form, and a 600-to-800-word essay in response to the following prompt: “Recount a time you have faced a challenge or setback in your life. How has this experience molded you into the person you are today?”
John Lepping Memorial Scholarship
Award: Up to $5,000. Deadline: May 1, 2023.
Designed by the Lep Foundation for Youth Education, this scholarship is available to students with physical or psychological disabilities who are enrolled in college or vocational school. Applicants must be permanent residents of New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania.
Applicants must submit a one-page essay about their condition and how it affects them financially, along with a description of their goals. Applicants must also provide three letters of recommendation from nonfamily members.
Beth Carew Memorial Scholarship Program
Award: $500-$6,000. Deadline: On Hold.
Sponsored by the Colburn-Keenan Foundation, this program honors Beth Carew, who had hemophilia A and died in 1994 of complications associated with the bleeding disorder.
Applicants must have performed unpaid community service or volunteered time to any organization within their community not associated with their school. Students who have only done community service or volunteered with a school class or club aren’t eligible.
Though the program isn’t currently accepting applications, the Colburn-Keenan Foundation urges candidates to check back in January 2023.