Every year, the National Federation of the Blind national office awards more than $250,000 in cash and prizes to blind scholars in recognition of their achievements and professional aspirations.

Thanks to their generous partners, there are thirty $8,000 merit-based scholarships currently available. All scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, community service, and leadership. The finalists are announced every spring. They then attend our national convention in July when the winners of each individual scholarship are selected. Scholarship winners have gone on to succeed in careers ranging from computer science and engineering to civil rights law and international diplomacy.

Eligibility

The following requirements apply to all applicants:

• Must be legally blind (PDF) in both eyes.
• Must be residing in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico.
• Must be 18 years of age by July 8, 2025.
• Must be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study in a degree program at a United States institution in the fall of the year of application. Beginning in 2025, the National Federation of the Blind may award up to five scholarships annually to applicants enrolled part-time who meet all other eligibility requirements.
  • We recognize that employment, family caregiving, and ongoing medical care, concurrent with post-secondary enrollment, can contribute to a need for students to carry a part-time course load. Our application has been revised in order to provide an opportunity for students who will be enrolled part-time in the fall to share additional information with the committee.
• Must participate in person in the entire NFB National Convention and in all of its scheduled scholarship program activities (finalists will receive assistance to attend the national convention).

For more information regarding eligibility, we strongly encourage you to review our scholarship program FAQs.

For more information about the National Office Scholarship, please visit: https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program