State Scholarship Application

Each year the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois (NFBI) awards scholarships to qualified blind students. The scholarships are awarded at the annual convention of the NFBI. The NFBI awards at least one scholarship beginning at $5,000 annually.

Criteria:

All scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and service to the community. To be eligible for an NFBI scholarship, an applicant must be a legally blind resident of or student in Illinois, who is enrolled full-time in an accredited two-year, four-year or graduate college or university program.

Application Process:

To apply, complete the online application form found below. Send proof of blindness, transcripts, recommendation letter, and any other support for your application via email to scholarships@nfbofillinois.org. Direct questions to scholarships@nfbofillinois.org or Patti Chang, Chair, NFBI State Scholarship Committee, at (773) 307-6440.

Accessible documents in MSWord or RTF are preferred for recommendation letters and proof of blindness. If your school has a transcript portal, simply send the login information.

Deadline:

All application materials must be received by midnight Central Time on April 15.

General Information:

Persons who have previously applied for scholarships are encouraged to apply again. The national Scholarship Committee reviews all applications and selects the scholarship finalists, who will be notified of their selection by May 31, and will be brought to the national convention, and the state scholarship committee will notify finalists by June 30, and finalists will be brought to the NFBI convention in the fall. Finalists must attend the entire convention.

NFBI SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM

Indicates required field

Contact 1

First Name First Name

Last Name Last Name

any other first names you have been known by any other first names you have been known by

Any other last names you have been known by including maiden name Any other last names you have been known by including maiden name

Street Address Street Address

Street Address Line 2 Street Address Line 2

City City

State State

Zip Code Zip Code

Phone Number Phone Number

Mobile Phone Number Mobile Phone Number

Email Email

Date of Birth Date of Birth

Please check off the following which apply to you. If any do not apply to you, you are ineligible for an NFBI scholarship at this time.

I will attend college full time in the Fall.

I am resident of or attending school in Illinois.

I understand that attendance of the entire National Federation of the Blind of Illinois state convention is a precondition to the award of NFBI scholarships.

Institution attending in Fall 2026 Institution attending in Fall 2026

Class standing in Fall of 2026, i.e. Freshman, Sophomore. Class standing in Fall of 2026, i.e. Freshman, Sophomore.

Cumulative GPA Cumulative GPA

All post-secondary institutions you have attended with highest class standing attained and cumulative grade point average All post-secondary institutions you have attended with highest class standing attained and cumulative grade point average

High school attended and cumulative grade point average High school attended and cumulative grade point average

How did you hear about the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois Scholarship Program? How did you hear about the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois Scholarship Program?

Community Service Community Service

Personal Essay (700 words or less) Personal Essay (700 words or less)

Along with your application, introduce yourself to the scholarship committee in a brief essay or self-portrait. Consider the essay an opportunity to tell the committee who you are. Describe your strengths, achievements, and aspirations. What is important to you? Who do you hope to become? Has a particular person or experience changed your life? How has your blindness affected you? How do you handle it at school, on the job, and in interpersonal relationships? Keep in mind that this scholarship is not based on financial need so it should not be addressed in your essay.

State Scholarship Application

State Scholarship Application

Criteria:

Application Process:

Deadline:

General Information:

NFBI SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM

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