College is expensive, and it might be a great source of anxiety for students living with mental illness. To reduce this source of anxiety, some organizations and colleges offer scholarships for students with depression, anxiety, and other types of mental illness. This article will cover some of the top scholarships for mental illness
Scholarships for Students with Mental Illness
While going to college might be exciting for high school graduates, for a person experiencing mental illness, this transition might not be exactly exciting. Mental illness is common in the United States. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in five adults and 17% of those between 6 and 17 experience mental illness. Some scholarships for students with mental illness are
The Andrew Q. Peschard Memorial Scholarship
Graduating seniors, attending high school in San Mateo County can take advantage of the Andrew Q. Peschard Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship was created in memory of Andrew Q. Peschard, who demonstrated resiliency in their mental health journey and determination in pursuing a college education. Applicants are required to write an essay describing a life challenge that has impacted the applicant’s mental health and has contributed to their high school experience.
Applicants are also required to provide a Letter of Recommendation that best describes the applicant’s inspirational dedication to overcoming challenging life experiences related to their mental health and why the applicant should receive this award.
$1,000 is awarded to recipients of the Andrew Q. Peschard Memorial Scholarship annually, application for the 2020/2021 will reopen by august, interested applicants can visit the Andrew Q. Peschard Memorial Scholarship page for more information.
The Quell Foundation
The Quell Foundation offers 3 mental health scholarships, they are:
The Quell Foundation Survivor Scholarship: the scholarship is awarded to select high school seniors or current undergraduate/graduate students. They have experienced the devastating loss of a parent, caregiver, or sibling to suicide. The scholarship offers up to $1,000 to college students with a 3.40 GPA
The Quell Foundation Bridge the Gap Scholarship is awarded to juniors and seniors in college or graduate students. The recipients of this scholarship are pursuing a degree in psychology, social work, or other fields of study related to the provision of mental health services.
The Quell Foundation Fighter Scholarship is awarded to a select high school senior or a current undergraduate/graduate student treated for a diagnosed mental health condition.
Jack Scura Fund Scholarship
The scholarship was designed to recognize students with a special need who are of good standing in school and their communities. Recipients of the Jack Scura Fund will receive $5000 for the Fall.
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be an incoming or a current student of an Undergraduate Program of a New Jersey College or University with either an intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability.
Applicants must have a 3.2 and above GPA (based on a 4.0 scale) and are required to provide proof of disability documentation, Transcript of Records, Two (2) recommendation letters, Resume and a 600-800 word essay that answers the question: Recount a time you have faced a challenge or setback in your life. How has this experience molded you as the person you are today? Applicants can visit the Jack Scura Fund page to apply for the scholarship
JED’s Student Voice of Mental Health Award
The JED’s Student Voice of Mental Health Award was created to raise awareness for mental health issues, reduce prejudice around mental illness, and encourage help-seeking among peers. Undergraduates in any university/college living with mental illness can apply for the award. The undergraduate college student selected for this award receives:
A $3,000 cash scholarship
Recognition on JED’s website and social channels
A trip to New York to accept the award at JED’s Annual Gala
The Microsoft Disability Scholarship
Students living with mental illness who wish to major in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, law, business, or related fields can apply for the Microsoft disability Scholarship.
Recipients will receive $5,000 annually for four years of college but must maintain a 3.0 GPA for renewal of the award.
Can You Get A Scholarship for Having Depression?
Yes. Mental illness comprises depression, anxiety, etc. People living with depression can take advantage of the scholarships listed above.
Depression Scholarships
students with bipolar disorder and/or depression to check out the scholarships listed below:
Baer Reintegration Scholarship
The scholarship awards $1,000 to students currently enrolled in school and shows active participation in medical treatment for bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder. The student must currently be receiving medical treatment.
JC Runyon Foundation Scholarship
There is no fixed amount for the JC Runyon Foundation Scholarship. Applicants for the scholarship must be an undergraduate in a college or trade school who have completed a program in a psychiatric facility for substance abuse, psychiatric disorder, or both, and been accepted into a college or trade school.
Paradigm Malibu Annual Depression Treatment Education Scholarship
The scholarship awards $1,000 to students living with depression. Applicants are required to submit an essay on educational goals and post-graduation plans.
Scholarships for People with Anxiety
Students living with anxiety can take advantage of the scholarships listed below:
Buckfire&Buckfire Disability Scholarship Program
Frederick J. Krause AAHD Scholarships
The John Lepping Memorial Scholarship
ADHD Scholarships
ADHD is a Learning Disability. Students who have been diagnosed with ADHD face many challenges. In addition to overcoming a learning disability that makes concentration, problem-solving, and impulse control difficult. Some scholarship opportunities available to them include the following examples will give college-bound students with ADHD an idea of the scholarship possibilities that are available to them are:
The Incight Scholarship – the scholarship awards a $500 renewable award for students with a documented learning disability.
The Learning Disorders Resource Foundation offers various awards programs for students, including Google Chromebooks and other forms of assistance.
The Shire ADHD Scholarship Program awards $2000 to recipients pursue their higher education at either a community college, university, or vocational school.
The Justin Eves Foundation Scholarship offers Canadian students with learning disorders a $3,000 scholarship.
Disability Scholarships
There are many disability scholarships available worldwide, providing financial assistance for students with a physical, sensory or learning disability, or a mental health condition. They include:
AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability – applicants must be US citizens enrolled full-time as undergraduate or graduate students at any accredited US university
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) College Scholarship Program is open to students from both within and outside the US.
Baer Reintegration Scholarship – Scholarships for US citizens who suffer from schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder and are currently receiving treatment for their illness.
Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship – A scholarship for a disabled US student who has either been accepted or is currently enrolled in an undergraduate program in the US.
Microsoft DisAbility Scholarship
Google Lime Scholarship Program – applicants from any country can apply for the scholarship to study at any Canadian or US university level.
Shire Canada ADHD Scholarship Program – persons with ADHD who are legal residents of Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, or Québec can apply for the scholarship to study at any accredited higher education institution in one of the aforementioned provinces.
Is Anxiety and Depression A Disability?
Yes. Persons living with anxiety or depression can apply for any of the scholarships discussed in this article.
Is Anxiety A Disability?
Yes.
Is Bipolar A Disability?
Yes. Persons living with Bipolar can apply for any of the scholarships listed in this article.
Is Mental Illness A Disability?
Yes. It is a disability because it is caused by the malfunction of the brain.
