Scholarship, Leadership & Employment Opportunities

Universities provide the optimal environment for reconsidering preconceptions and attitudes. While an insider to such a culture, you are in a prime position to improve your understanding of disabilities generally and create specific opportunities for greater inclusion. Some ways to be influential at MSU include:

• Representing the interests of students with disabilities on campus-wide committees
• Assisting in the development of campaigns and programs on disability-related topics
• Participating in Barrier Busters, a team that reports campus access issues via University channels
• Serving as a member of the Disability Services Office's Student Advisory Board

If you are interested in any of the areas mentioned or have a creative idea, contact the Office of Student Disability Services at 606-783-5188.

AGBell.org provides information and links to scholarships for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Since 2002, the AAPD Summer Internship Program has developed the next generation of leaders with disabilities and offered host employers access to a talented, diverse workforce. Each summer, AAPD places college students, graduate students, law students, and recent graduates with all types of disabilities in paid 10-week summer internships in Congressional offices, federal agencies, non-profit and for-profit organizations in the Washington, D.C. area. Each intern is matched with a mentor who will assist them with their career goals. AAPD provides the interns with a stipend, transportation to and from Washington, D.C., and fully-accessible housing.

For more information and to apply, visit the AAPD site.

If you are nearing degree completion and want to work for an employer that is so open to hiring students with disabilities that they actively seek them out, consider the Bender Virtual Career Fair. 
At this fair, you'll interview with national employers from the comfort of your home or your dorm room without having to get dressed up.  It's free to attend and is held each spring. For more information and to register, visit www.careereco.com/events/disability

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington and DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) sponsor the AccessComputing Alliance to increase the participation of people with disabilities in computing careers. College students with disabilities from anywhere in the United States pursuing Computer Science and other computing majors are encouraged to join the AccessComputing Team. Team members are eligible for paid computing internships and mentoring. For more information, contact the project coordinator at 206-543-9150 or 206-685-3648 (TTY).

•  A $500, competitive scholarship is awarded annually to two qualified Kentucky college students with any type of disability.
•  Along with other criteria, award selection is based on having a minimum 2.75 GPA and a personal essay describing educational goals and disability-related leadership and service. 
•  Application requires nomination by the Disability Services Coordinator at your school. If you are interested in being considered, contact the Office of Student Disability Services at 606-783-5188.
• The deadline for nomination is April 15.​

Open to qualified blind or visually impaired college students in Kentucky. For further information, contact KCB directly at 502-895-4598 or kcb@iglou.com.

• A $10,000 scholarship may be awarded to a current junior or senior undergraduate or graduate student with a disability majoring in Computer Science or a related technical field.
• International students with disabilities studying at U.S. universities are encouraged to apply.
• The student must be enrolled full-time. 
• Scholarships will be awarded based on the strength of each candidate's academic background, leadership and passion for computer science. 
• Scholarship Information and Application Instructions

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet offers a twice-annual paid internship targeting under-represented groups - including students with disabilities attending Kentucky colleges and universities. It is an opportunity to work at a state Cabinet office while earning co-op credits. To review the requirements and application, visit the Ky. Transportation Cabinet site.

• Students with an established Autism or Asperger’s Syndrome diagnosis who will be attending an accredited institution of higher education in the United States may apply for a scholarship of $3,000. 
•  An autobiographical essay is required, and factors such as originality of content, financial need, previous challenges overcome, and any stated future aspirations may be considered by the review committee in making its decision. 
• Eligible individuals need to be enrolled on at least a part-time basis (6 credits) or be working toward certification or accreditation in a particular field (e.g., studying to be a paralegal). 
• The application process for fall opens in December of each year.
• Application form and instructions

College students selected will experience a combination of for-credit academic internships at a work setting in Washington D.C. along with participating in a leadership forum to build career readiness. There will also be an opportunity to explore the nation's capital. Scholarships are available to help offset the cost of participation. If interested, online applications may be found at the center's website. For additional information, contact The Washington Center at info@twc.edu.

This federally sponsored program connects highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities to jobs with public and private employers nationwide.
 
If you are interested in applying to the program and interviewing with a representative from WRP, please visit WRP.gov and click “Students Register Now!” to get started! Please use a computer or tablet and not a mobile device.

Eligible students must:

•  Have a disability and be eligible under the Schedule A hiring authority
• Be a United States citizen or national
• Be currently enrolled in a degree program on a substantially full-time basis OR have graduated with a degree within the past two-and-a-half years.

Belva Sammons Scholarship

Recipients of this scholarship shall: 

• Be currently enrolled at MSU and be a full-time student at MSU during the semester of
• the scholarship award
• Have completed at least twenty-four semester hours at MSU and have attained a minimum cumulative 2.80 GPA (using only MSU credits).
• Be registered with the MSU Disability Services Office and have a documented qualifying
• disability.
• Be determined by the University’s Office of Financial Aid as financially eligible.

Luke Birkes Scholarship

Recipients of the scholarship shall:

• Be a resident of Kentucky
• Be using the services of the Disability Services Office
• Have a minimum high school GP A of 2.0 if they are an incoming freshman or a minimum college GP A of 2.0 if they are returning or transfer student.
• Be identified as financially eligible by the MSU Office of Financial Aid

Dr. James  E. Gotsick Memorial Scholarship

Recipients of this scholarship shall:

• Be a current MSU student
• Utilize the services of the Disability Services Office
• Be financially eligible as determined by the office of financial aid.

Students can apply for these scholarships and more at https://moreheadstate.academicworks.com.