National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
2018 Scholarship Program

The National Federation of the Blind of Missouri announces our 2018 Scholarship Program. We will be accepting applications until February 20, 2018. 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 2018. 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. This year we invite applicants to submit all information and documents online.  All application materials must be received by February 20, 2018 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. 
 
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, April 6-8, 2018, at the Capital Plaza in Jefferson City, 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 applicants. The type of transportation assistance may vary based on what part of the state the winner will be coming from and 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 which 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.

The application can be found on the NFB of Missouri website.  If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the scholarship chair. 
Julie McGinnity, Chair
Scholarship Committee
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
Phone: 314-610-7740 
Email: scholarship@nfbmo.org
Web Page: www.nfbmo.org