Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) students often have financial challenges in pursuing their higher education, therefore, there are several scholarships for autistic students. In recent times, students with ASD have had access to numerous Scholarships options that help them recognize their potential, and unique abilities and also assist with financial support for their education.
Undoubtedly, there are verities of scholarships for Autistic students across the Globe. Most of these scholarships are specifically designed to support autistic students as they transition into college and beyond.
Therefore, In this article, we will highlight some of the best Scholarship Opportunities for autistic students that will help them pursue their academic career in various fields.
Table of contents
- What Can Autistic Adults Do For a Living?
- What Is The Best Lifestyle For Autism?
- Is Autism a Disability?
- What Are The Symptoms Of Autism In Adults And Children?
- What Are Some Of The Best Jobs For Autistic Adults?
- 1 5 Best Scholarships For Autistic Students
- 1. Autism Delaware Scholarship
- 2. Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship
- 3. Google Lime Scholarship
- 4. Organization For Autism Research Scholarship
- 5. Synchrony Scholarship For Autistic Students Of Color (SSASC)
- 6. The Kelly Law Team Autism Scholarship Contest
- 7. Microsoft Disability Scholarship (MDS)
- 8. Sunwise Capital Autism Scholarship
- 9. Making a Difference For Autism Scholarship
- 10. Strength In Neurodiversity Scholarship
- 11. Michael Lorenzen Foundation Scholarship
- 12. Autism Family Services Of New Jersey Scholarship (Afsnjs)
- 13. Schwallie Family Scholarship
- 14. Gunner Lee Thomason Autism Scholarship
- 15. Black Wynn Autism Scholarship (BWAS)
What Can Autistic Adults Do For a Living?
An autistic adult usually considers computer science due to their ability to program easily. Computer science is a good choice because is very possible that most of the best programmers have either Asperger’s syndrome or something similar to it.
Many Autistic individuals also enjoy writing and can easily thrive in content creation. Other good majors are, engineering, liberal science, accounting, and art.
What Is The Best Lifestyle For Autism?
The best lifestyle for an autism individual is focusing on their diet, sleep, and activities. Living a healthier life with autism involves a comprehensive approach that includes mental well being, proper hygiene, eating healthy fruits (such as strawberries, kiwi, Bell peppers, broccoli, citrus fruits).
It is important to recognize three simple factors that every person with ASD needs which is acceptance, safety, and sense of competence. Exploring a balanced diet with sensory- friendly food can help them improve their health.
Also, creating a well structured routine it helps them manage anxiety and promotes independence.
Is Autism a Disability?
ASD is a developmental disability that can cause significant communication, social, and behavioral problems. Hence, Autism is a disability that can be managed.
Although, the symptoms of autism can make it difficult for a person to navigate neurotypical norms.
So, Autism is considered disability from a legal and medical standpoint. Some autistic individuals have a learning disability.
What Are The Symptoms Of Autism In Adults And Children?
Some of the symptoms of autism in adults include:
- Social anxiety
- Challenges in communication
- trouble in social interactions
- Difficulty in making friends
- Repetitive behavior
- Difficulty with exclusive functioning
- Sensory sensitivity
- Having intense interest in hearing
- Sensory issues
- Difficulty in communicating and interacting with others
- Having Narrow interest
- Reduced eye contact
- Reduced babbling
- Pretending not to hear when spoken to directly
- Repetitive movements with fingers
- playing with toys in a limited or unusual manner
- Showing more interest in objects than people
- Problem with social interaction and communication
What Are Some Of The Best Jobs For Autistic Adults?
Autistic adults often excel in technical roles where solid visual abilities are required. Careers in Computer Science, video game development, graphic design, and web development allow autistic individuals to use their strengths in visual design.
Some of the Best Jobs for Autistic students include:
- Computer programming
- Librarian
- Accountant
- Photography
- Science & Research
- Web development
- Video Game Designer
- Data Analyst
- Mechanical Engineer
- Software tester
- Electrical Engineering
- Graphic Designer
- Trades
- Automotive Services Technicians and Mechanics
- Laboratory Technicians
- Accounting Clerk
- Specialize technical roles
- Drafter
- Dog Groomer
- Information technology
- Carpentry
- Art therapist
- Gardening
- Data Entry
- Researcher
- Retail
15 Best Scholarships For Autistic Students
Here is a list of scholarships for autistic students:
1. Autism Delaware Scholarship
The Autism Delaware Scholarship is one of the best scholarships for autistic students. It is a $1000 scholarship grants for Autistic students. This scholarship provides students with financial support for eligible adults on the spectrum, who are pursuing a post secondary education.
The scholarship is meant for students who enrolled or accepted for matriculation at the University of Delaware and who planned to work at the field of autism in Delaware. Applications are quite competitive , and the number of available scholarships depends on the amount of available funding.
2. Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship
The Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship is a non renewable annual scholarship that provides financial assistance for college to individuals with severe Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is among the top scholarships for autistic students.
The scholarship supports students attending 2 year undergraduate colleges. Hussman supports students with $3,000 financial assistance that covers tuition fees. Also, this scholarship provides applicants with good talent who face daily challenges related to autism.
3. Google Lime Scholarship
Google lime Scholarship another unique scholarships for autistic students. This program provides financial support to students with disabilities working on bachelor’s degree in a computer related field.
Also, applicants must be an undergraduate, graduate, or PhD student currently enrolled at a university in the U.S. or Canada.
It awards $10,000 of 13 competitive scholarships to students with disabilities, who are pursuing a degree in computer science or related technical fields.
4. Organization For Autism Research Scholarship
Organization For Autism Research Scholarship is one of the best scholarships for autistic students. It offers a three (3) scholarships opportunity for autistic students who are enrolled in post secondary educational programs.
Each Scholarship offers $3,000 each to students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder pursuing full time postgraduate, and undergraduate education in the United States.
5. Synchrony Scholarship For Autistic Students Of Color (SSASC)
SSASC is one of the best Scholarships for autistic students. It supports student attending any type of 4 years undergraduate college, 2 years undergraduate colleges, life skills, post secondary programs, vocational, technical, or trade school.
Applicants must belong to an underrepresented racial/ethnic minority community. The amount of the SSASC scholarship is $3,000 that covers tuition expenses.
6. The Kelly Law Team Autism Scholarship Contest
Kelly Law Team Autism Scholarship Contest is among the best scholarships for Autistic students. The Kelly Law Team Autism Scholarship Contest is awarded to a person diagnosed with ASD.
This scholarship awards $1,000 to eligible applicant, and it is often made as a direct payment towards the winning applicant tuition at a post secondary educational institution.
The scholarship can be used for tuition at college, vocational school, graduate school, or junior college chosen seen by the wining applicant.
This aspect of the firm involvement has been ongoing since 2015.
7. Microsoft Disability Scholarship (MDS)
Microsoft Disability Scholarship is one of the best scholarships for autistic students. The Scholarship supports students with disabilities, in order to help them achieve more, through access to education leading to a career in technology.
MDS award eight $20,000 scholarships distributed over 4 years ($5,000 per year, renewable). Also, This award are renewable for up to 3 years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, on the basis of satisfactory academic performance.
Students must however maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, full time and half time enrollment, and continued enrollment in the eligible major. Also, this scholarship is offered to students pursuing a major in computer science, computer information systems, engineering, business, or law related.
8. Sunwise Capital Autism Scholarship
The Sunwise Capital Autism Scholarship awards a $500 scholarship to high school graduates, undergraduate, and life skill students with autism each year.
The scholarship is funded by Sunwise Capital, an organization that provides business owners the capital to achieve financial credibility resulting in business.
9. Making a Difference For Autism Scholarship
Making a difference for Autism Scholarship is among the best scholarships for autistic students. It has no limitations or geographic restrictions, and it is open to all upcoming college students with ASD in the U.S. and internationally.
The selected applicants for this scholarship will receives a $500 scholarship, which can be used to pay for their post secondary education.
10. Strength In Neurodiversity Scholarship
The Strength in Neurodiversity Scholarship is the largest national scholarship program that supports all high school seniors diagnosed with an IEP documenting ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and any documented mental disability.
The SNS awards $1,000.
According to Neurodiverse, Neurodiverse students deserves an equal chance at furthering their education. The scholarship boosts of empowering innovative, hardworking, creative, quick, thinking and empathetic individuals in society.
The scholarship is being provided by Alyssa Douglass.
11. Michael Lorenzen Foundation Scholarship
The Michael Lorenzen Foundation Scholarship is another top scholarships for autistic students. It offers college scholarships for students on the Autism spectrum disorder, recognizing their unique challenges and achievements.
More so, this scholarship is an opportunity for ASD students to help them achieve their academic goals and also represent the Legacy of Michael Lorenzen. It award $2,500 scholarship to cover students college expenses.
12. Autism Family Services Of New Jersey Scholarship (Afsnjs)
The AFSNJS is among the best scholarships for autistic students. It provides financial assistance to high school seniors in New Jersey who have been diagnosed with ASD, PDD-NOS, or Asperger syndrome.
Also, the scholarship offers up to $1,000 to students who plan to attend college, university, trade school, or secondary education. So, Students who are planning on attending college in any state are also eligible for this scholarship.
To become eligible, Academic achievement and participation in activities will be considered.
13. Schwallie Family Scholarship
The Schwallie Family Scholarship award scholarship to students across the autism Spectrum. The scholarship supports students attending two or four year undergraduate college or university, technical school, vocational school, or cooperative life skills program.
Schwallie applicants typically pursue degrees at four years colleges. The scholarship is being provided by Organization for Autism Research, they award $3,000 to their winners who are qualified for the scholarship.
14. Gunner Lee Thomason Autism Scholarship
The Gunner Lee Thomason Autism Scholarship Award $650 scholarships to assist students studying education or health services in areas related to autism.
The Thomasons is the founder of the Gunner Lee Thomason Autism Scholarship. It is also one of the best scholarships for autistic students.
15. Black Wynn Autism Scholarship (BWAS)
This is one of the best scholarships for autistic students. It is available for US citizens who have been diagnosed with an ASD.
The BWAS organization gives one eligible winner $1,000 to help cover tuition, housing, books, and other colleges expenses. Also, no essay required for this scholarship.
However, Applicants must be enrolled, planning to enroll in an accredited college, university, or be in a vocational school within one year. So, After declaring a winner, the scholarship award would be paid to the vocational school, or college chosen by the winning applicant.
Yes! Autistic students can attend college, university, or any educational institution with scholarship opportunities. Also there are several scholarships available for students with ASD.
Some of the best scholarships for autistic students are Autism Delaware Scholarship, Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship, Google Lime Scholarship, Organization For Autism Research Scholarship, Synchrony Scholarship For Autistic Students Of Color, The Kelly Law Team Autism Scholarship Contest, and others.
Conclusion
As mentioned earlier, students with ASD have had access to numerous scholarships options that help them recognize their potential, and unique abilities through financial support from the government, universities, NGOs, and others. This article has highlighted the best scholarships for autistic students and we hope you find them helpful.
