is there help for me? i want to go to college and i'm disabled from uncontrolled epilepsy, and for me "money is a thing". After my surgery about three years ago, things gradually but slowly started to change, meaning my life was going to start over. knowing it would be awhile to recooperate, but me, myself and I know i can do it. So if there is anybody that can help me by knowing if there is some help that would be called a "disability grant" for college, please let me know.


THANKS ALOT,

RAY

Hi RaysMom,

I was able to have the first part of my college tuition and books paid for by Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services. I say the first part, because later, I didn't meet the income guidelines. Maybe your state has a similar agency.

Voc. Rehab. also paid for my physical therapy, electric scooter, and orthotics while I attended college. It certainly was a big help and I was able to continue and receive my Bachelor's.

Also, go to a local college and ask to see their scholarship book. I can't remember what it's called, but it lists every grant and scholarship available in the US. My college has a computer program we could use where you enter your profile, and it gives you all the names of the grants, etc. that you qualify for. It's the same info as "the book", but it's a lot quicker.

I hope I've been able to help with your search, and Good Luck!!!

------------------
Spina-bifida occulta; Congenital Scoliosis (dextrorotatory and 'S' curve, 42 and 57 degrees); Meningomyelocele (split cord @ L1); Diastematomyelia (re-sectioned at L2-3); tethered cord @ S-3; various developmental abnormalities of the spine.

Surgeries include, but not limited to:
Lumbar fusion-1968
Fusion with Herrington Rod instrumentation-1970
Femoral osteotomy-1971
Tethered cord release-1987
Rod removal-1987
Chiari-type pelvic osteotomy-1988
Trochanteric osteotomy-1989

I don't know what State your in but I went to college in Oklahoma and Vocational Rehab paid the full tutition and most of my books and supplies. They also bought my wheelchair and lift while I was still in school, knew another person that was able to get a brand new van with lift and motorized wheelchair paid for by them.

Another place to look at is the Indians, as they also have a Voc rehab program in Okla to help pay for college and living expenses while in college.

Just ask the Financial Aid dept at the school you wish to go to for Voc Rehab information. If your state has it then they would have contact information there.

[This message has been edited by Stridar (edited 06-28-2003).]

Dear Ray,

One place that might be helpful is:
The HEATH Resource Center at George Washington University
1-800-544-3284
or http://www.heath.gwu.edu/

They are funded to serve as an information exchange about educational support services for persons with disabilities.

There's not a lot of financial assistance, but some. The Center has a number of publications, to include a resource paper, "Creating Options: A Resource on Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities" describes federal aid programs and how they benefit students with disabilities. The paper also describes assistance available through state agencies for vocational rehabilitation and lists web sites where students can conduct online scholarship searches.

Take care and hope, - Ed

Hi to RaysMom and Ray,

The Venture Club of the Americas awards scholarships for Students with Physical Disabilites. The last time I searched (which was about 18 months ago) this was the only scholarship I found specifically for disabled students. There are probably more out there, but your really have to search.

But there are many other options. You and your mom should talk with the Student Services or Office for Students with Disabilities people, and the financial aid director at the school you wish to attend as soon as possible. They have the discretion to decide if you can attend part-time and still receive aid (I was allowed to do this). Usually, a student must finish college in 4 years, because federal financial aid requires that. If you establish that you need longer, the financial aid director can make sure that the aid keeps coming after fours years are up - so long as you do well in school. (I've needed 8 years to finish my degree, and I'm still getting federal aid - because I had the documentation from my doctor showing that I could only attend part-time.)

Also, even though private colleges are extremely expensive, they also have more private funding grants for students. Apply, even if you can't afford the tuition. They might help you make up for it.
(And in cases of true financial need, they'll often wave the application fee, so you can apply to many schools.)

Guilds, professional associations, etc in specific fields offer scholarships if you intend to study for that particular field. If you already know what you want to study, that will be a good source of scholarships.

And, as the other posters have mentioned - Voc. Rehab. can be helpful. They will require you to exhaust all other options before they help you, though. The assistance is out there - you just have to set things in motion and make sure you keep your grades up.

;-) Lena

[This message has been edited by Able Lena (edited 08-04-2003).]