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. In 2024 the NFBI will award at least one scholarship beginning at $5,000.

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 at www.nfbofillinois.org/scholarships/state-scholarship-program/application. 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 David Meyer, co-chair NFBI Scholarship Committee, at (708) 435-2416.

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 30.

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, 2024, and finalists will be brought to the NFBI convention in the fall. Finalists must attend the entire convention.