Special Education Scholarships for the Disabled

Special Education Scholarships

Special education scholarships for the disabled are provided by New York State Association for Retarded Children (NYSARC), Incorporated which was established in 1949 as a non-profit bent on working towards a better future for all students with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The organization has an incredible presence throughout the state of New York and actively works to not only petition legislators for equal rights regarding the developmentally disabled but also within communities to enhance the rights of local persons who may need their assistance. To this end, special education scholarships for disabled students by NYSARC exist as an attempt to give the developmentally disabled access to financial aid for college programs. This purpose works both towards the group’s goals regarding equality for the developmentally disabled but also towards bridging gaps in education funding which may be difficult to close for students living with various disabilities affecting mental ability.

Apart from working towards legislative and educational ends, NYSARC also serves as a community resource for parents of developmentally disabled children by being able to answer questions, provide support, and operate as a common community through which parents may connect with one another. The disability scholarships for special education by NYSARC are a part of these resources and are provided as part of the general operating mission of the group.

There are four different kinds of NYSARC scholarships available to disabled students who are interested in higher education. These are the Jonathon Weingold, Joseph T. Weingold, James F. Reville, and Arthur W. Pense Scholarships. Each of these NYSARC special education scholarships for the disabled are nomination-only and basically require that students be members of the organization in order to get a chance to be awarded a scholarship. While all provided by NYSARC, Inc, the above programs all focus on specific things. The Jonathon Weingold Scholarship provides financial assistance for employees of the organization. The Joseph T. Weingold award gives out disabilities scholarships to students going to school for special education learning. James F. Reville special education scholarships give out awards to those students going to school to study intellectual disabilities and how to work with those students with such disabilities. Arthur W. Pense rewards go to students who are studying the field of occupational therapy. As what each NYSARC disability scholarship provides money varies, so too does the amount awarded and eligibility requirements.

Students interested in the Jonathon Weingold NYSARC scholarship will need to be employees of the organization. Awards may only be used at New York State universities and comes in the amount of $3,000 which is paid out at $750 per semester over four years. All applications will need to be received no later than January 9, 2012.

Joseph T. Weingold NYSARC scholarships for disabled students are given out every year in the amount of $3,000 and, like the Jonathon Weingold program, are paid out every semester to the tune of $750 over four years. All students will need to be planning to or currently attending a college in New York state and be studying to end up in the field of special education. The deadline of this program is December 1, 2011.

Applicants going to school at any level and studying a field relating to intellectual or developmental disabilities may be nominated for the NYSARC scholarship. This program gives out $3,000 paid out over four years during every semester in the amount of $750. Applications must be received no later than January 9, 2012.

Arthur W. Pense NYSARC scholarships are give out to students who are studying in an occupational therapy program at a New York state university. Applicants who are involved in the field work portion of their program are still eligible to be nominated. This particular program also awards $3,000 but instead of paying out in installments of $750 it gives out $1,000 per semester for up to three terms. The application deadline for this program is December 1, 2011.

It is important to know that while students may be nominated for all four NYSARC special education scholarships for disabled students, they can only be awarded one of them. Students do not appear to need to be active members of NYSARC in order to be nominated, but they must be actively working to assist those with developmental disabilities.