Featured Partner Scholarships: May 2023
We’ve hit a major milestone for the Class of 2023: College Signing Day celebrates the May 1 deadline for accepting admission to your college of choice, and events are already happening around the country!
Of course, choosing your college also means figuring out how you’re paying—and, while scholarship season is slowing down, there are still plenty of options out there. This week, we feature awards for members of LendKey member credit unions; for students and professionals interested in working with autistic adults; and for students who’ve started their college careers and face financial barriers to continuing.
LendKey Scholarship Program
LendKey connects students with credit unions for in-school loans and student loan refinancing options. With LendKey’s network of credit unions, borrowers can achieve their financial goals and save money with lower interest rates from financial institutions that prioritize people over profits. (Students can also find plenty of valuable information and resources on LendKey’s blog!)
To further assist students who are working to pay for college, the new LendKey Scholarship Program is awarding twenty $1,000 scholarships to members of LendKey’s Member Lending Credit Unions. If you’re not sure whether your credit union works with LendKey, contact the credit union directly to find out.
To apply, you must be a high school senior or graduate or a current college undergraduate, and you must be planning to enroll in full-time undergrad study at an accredited four-year institution for the entire upcoming academic year. You must also have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
The LendKey Scholarship Program has no restrictions on your major—all students are invited to apply, as long as they are a member of a LendKey partner credit union.
Applications are open through May 29. Apply Now >
Next for Autism Fellows Scholarship Program
There are more than 5.4 million autistic adults in the U.S. Right now, there are more autistic adults who need services than qualified Direct Service Professionals (DSPs) to support them. In fact, more than 482,000 adults with autism and intellectual disabilities are waitlisted for home and community-based services that they need and deserve. As the need for DSPs continues to increase, it’s anticipated that there will be seven million vacant DSP job openings by 2029. Now is the time to help pave the way for a positive future—for work as a DSP and to ensure meaningful support and mentorship for autistic adults.
The NEXT for AUTISM FELLOWS Scholarship is now open for applications to help empower current and aspiring DSPs. The goal of the program is 1) to provide financial support for undergraduate students, whether just starting at a 2- or 4-year college program, or current direct support professionals going back to earn a degree and 2) to encourage future, and current, health and human service professionals to choose a rewarding career path working with autistic and neurodivergent adults.
NEXT for AUTISM FELLOWS have the opportunity to:
- Receive up to $10,000 in tuition assistance annually
- Gain paid, hands-on experience working with autistic adults
- Embark on a personally rewarding career path
- Receive mentorship from the NEXT for the AUTISM team
- Directly impact the lives of autistic adults
To apply, you must either be an incoming freshman or rising sophomore at a 2- or 4-year accredited public institution or currently employed as a Direct Service Professional (DSP) and looking to go back to school. Eligible applicants currently in school must have a 2.7 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), and all applicants must be planning to pursue a degree in a Health or Human Services field with preference given to those pursuing a career serving the autism population.
10-20 Fellows will earn up to $10,000 in tuition scholarships, which are renewable as long as you work at least 800 hours per year in a paid DSP position at an approved work site.
Applications are open through June 12. Apply Now >
Scholarship America Barry Griswell Scholarship
Former Scholarship America Board Chair Barry Griswell was a passionate, lifelong advocate for students. He was dedicated to helping young people from historically marginalized communities overcome difficult circumstances. That dedication was inspired by his own experiences, which saw him emerge from a troubled upbringing, attend college with the help of scholarships, and become a business leader, philanthropist, and author.
We were devastated when Barry passed away unexpectedly in 2020. To honor his work, life, and legacy, Scholarship America worked with Barry’s loved ones, colleagues, and fellow Board Members to raise funds for a truly impactful scholarship in his name—and we are proud to be accepting applications for the 2023 Barry Griswell Scholarship, through May 23.
The Barry Griswell Scholarship provides renewable awards of up to $25,000/year to students with financial needs who are pursuing associate’s or bachelor’s degrees. Awards are renewable for up to five total years—and they are designed with flexibility and student needs at the forefront.
Each cohort of Barry Griswell Scholars will be able to count on financial, cultural, and social support from Scholarship America. What’s more, Scholars will also be able to count on each other for inspiration and connection through college and beyond.
To apply for the Barry Griswell Scholarship, you must be a high school senior, a high school/GED graduate, or a current college undergrad. Current students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent). Applicants will be asked to demonstrate financial need and to tell us about obstacles they’ve overcome in pursuit of education.
Applicants must be United States citizens, permanent residents, or individuals granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA), and must plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school in the U.S. for the entire upcoming academic year.
