Scholarships
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
2023 Scholarship Program
The National Federation of the Blind of Missouri announces our 2023 Scholarship Program. We will be accepting applications until February 1, 2023. 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 2023. Applicants should live in Missouri but need not be a member of the National Federation of the Blind. Scholarships begin at $750 and are based on merit. We invite applicants to submit all information and documents online. All application materials must be received by February 1, 2023, either through the online form 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 Finalist will attend the convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Missouri, April 14-16, 2023, at the Hilton Airport Hotel in St. Louis, 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 or Text: 314-265-6852.
Email: scholarships@nfbmo.org or Robin@mindsrealm.net
2022 Scholarship Winners
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Sam Doman Sam Doman is a sophomore at Missouri State University (SMU) in Springfield. He is majoring in music with a minor in computer science. He is an active member of the Phi Epsilon fraternity and the school symphony. He has used his musical talent to volunteer around his community. In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, and hiking with his family. Upon graduation Sam would like to work to ensure that technology is accessible for blind people everywhere. |
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Blake Tarrants Blake Tarrants is a student at Missouri State University (MSU) in Springfield. He is currently working on a certification for Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) and will also work towards a Master’s Degree in Special Education. He previously graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri in Columbia. Blake says that he feels very fortunate to have learned great blindness skills and it is that plus the opportunity to work with a blind student that led him to change his career and go back to school. In his spare time Blake follows a variety of sports teams. Upon completing his certification and degree, Blake is very eager to work with blind/visually impaired students in whatever capacity presents itself. |
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Jack Tindall Jack Tindall graduated from high school in December of 2021. He has been accepted to two universities, Truman State University in Kirksville and the University of Missouri in Columbia. After deciding which university to attend, Jack will begin pursuing a degree toward pre-med this fall. A collection of life experiences and educational opportunities led Jack to his determination to become a physician. Most of Jack’s spare time is spent participating in clubs or volunteer opportunities that are related to medicine in some capacity. Jack is unsure of which field of medicine he would prefer, but he says he has a while before he needs to decide that, but he does know that upon completion of his education he wants to be able to help people. |
2021 Scholarship Winners
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Kendra Damron Kendra is a high school senior. This fall she will attend either Missouri State University(MSU) or University of Central Missouri (UCM) and major in Psychology. Kendra is a member of the National Honor Society and her local 4H Club. In her free time she enjoys reading books, training her dogs and playing Dungeons and Dragons. She has worked with a local gaming store so that they will be selling accessible gaming dice for a variety of games. After graduating from college she plans to become an adolescent psychologist. |
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Nancy Aguilera Nancy Aguilera is currently in her 1st year of a doctoral degree at the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL). This fall she will continue working on her PhD degree in Political Science at UMSL. In addition to being a full time student she is also a single mother of 2 teenagers. She fluently speaks Spanish and English, which she believes has led her to have some unique interactions with a variety of people. Nancy enjoys reading books, traveling and tasting new foods. Upon graduation Nancy plans to become a Professor and also conduct research. |
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Jordyn Walker Jordyn is a high school senior. This fall she will attend the University of Central Missouri (UCM) and major in Psychology. She is currently an editor of her high school news paper and is the captain of the archery team. In her free time Jordyn enjoys doing yoga, scrapbooking and building things out of wood. Jordyn is not sure of her exact career path, but she would like to help people who have endured emotional trauma. |
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Aida Talic Aida is a high school senior. This fall she will be attending St. Louis University (SLU) and major in Clinical Social Work. She has been on her school swim team and in a club which brings awareness about cultural differences to her peers. She has had the opportunity to attend Space Camp where she met many inspirational people. . This year Aida received an honorable mention in the Braille Challenge. After graduating from college she plans to be a social worker and work with critically ill children. |