Scholarships
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
2021 Scholarship Program
The National Federation of the Blind of Missouri announces our 2021 Scholarship Program. We will be accepting applications until February 1, 2021. We invite all qualified candidates to apply. Applicants must be legally blind and plan to enroll in a post-secondary institution for the fall of 2021. Applicants should live in Missouri but need not be a member of the National Federation of the Blind. Scholarships begin at $500 and are based on merit. We invite applicants to submit all information and documents online. All application materials must be received by February 1, 2021 either through the online form (found at www.nfbmo.org) or at the email address provided below. Acknowledgment of applications and documents will be sent upon receipt. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Scholarship Chair.
A complete application consists of the official application form and a student essay, plus these supporting documents: student transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a letter from an NFB of Missouri Scholarship Committee member, and proof of legal blindness. Please note that letters of recommendation must not be submitted by the applicant but must come directly from the person authoring the recommendation.
In an effective essay the applicant may consider sharing about his or her life in a way that gives the committee insight into him or her. The essay should cover the ways in which one lives successfully as a blind person and describe personal goals for the future. Committee members give the essay a great deal of attention.
In addition to receiving the monetary award, the scholarship recipients will attend the convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Missouri, March 25-28, 2021, at the Doubletree Hotel in Springfield, MO. Hotel accommodations, convention registration, and planned meals during the convention will be included. We are also happy to help coordinate transportation to ensure this is not a barrier to our scholarship class. The type of transportation assistance may vary based on where in Missouri the winner resides and the available transportation resources in that community.
Throughout the convention, scholarship winners will have an opportunity to learn about the National Federation of the Blind and network with successful blind people. In addition, final interviews with the Scholarship Committee will aid the committee in determining the scholarship each winner will receive.
You should know that merit scholarships from the National Federation of the Blind go directly to the winner and should not be considered as a similar benefit by Rehabilitation Services for the Blind. Therefore, students can use funds to meet expenses that other funding sources do not cover. Also, merit scholarships are viewed favorably when included on a resume.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the scholarship chair.
Robin House, Chair
Scholarship Committee
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
Phone: 314-265-6852.
Email: scholarships@nfbmo.org
Application closes on February 1, 2021.
Our National Organization has additional scholarships available.