Keywords: disability, funding, scholarships, H810, openuniversity
Below are the findings of a quick research I have undertaken on [additional]
financial resources available for disabled students in preparation for an essay
which is going to discuss barriers and accessibilities Higher Education. The
differences among nations are considerable when it comes to eligibility for
such funding – many funding bodies apply a medical model of disability (as
opposed to a charity model or a social model for instance) that excludes
multiples or temporary disabilities.
Levels of financial support differ, so does duration of financial help. Some
sources are only available to those in workplace training, others only to those
pursuing Higher Education. Germany, a country famous for its massive
welfare apparatus, struck me as among the less generous nations when it
comes to support of disabled students. Here, even nationality plays a
considerable role, government funding is means-tested, and other bodies
make their support depending on the student’s political views. It has been an
eye-opener also in regards to the US – the variety and diversity of funding
sources available came rather as a positive surprise.
England/UK
BAHSHE – student disability fund for student healthcare professionals
http://www.bahshe.co.uk/
Disabled students’ allowances
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/EducationAndTraining/HigherEdu
cation/DG_10034898
HEFCE Higher Education Funding Council for England
http://www.hefce.ac.uk/Widen/sldd/funding.asp
1
Britta Bohlinger
http://britbohlinger.wordpress.com

Learning Fund
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEduc
ation/StudentFinance/Extrahelp/DG_171615
Prospects - the UK’s official graduate careers website
www.skill.org.uk/uploads/fe_fund.doc
Open University, my Alma Mater
http://www.open.ac.uk/disability/disabled-students-allowance.php
Ireland
http://www.studentfinance.ie/mp7575/fund-for-students-with-
disabilities/index.html
Germany
Many scholarships depend on the kind disability [implying the medical model],
others are only available to highly skilled disabled students:
http://www.studentenportal.de/stipendien.php
www.gottlob-stiftung.de
www.krone-stiftung.org
http://www.maecenata.eu/index.html
2
Britta Bohlinger
http://britbohlinger.wordpress.com

EU
http://www.uwe.ac.uk/advice/disability/claimingdsa.shtml
within Erasmus placement
http://www.britishcouncil.org/erasmus-student-disability-information.htm
USA
Disability scholarships
http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/education/scholarships/
Florida Scholarships for children and spouses of deceased or disabled
veterans and service members
http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/factsheets/CDDV.htm
Michigan State University - list of funding opportunities
http://staff.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/3disable.htm
3
Britta Bohlinger
http://britbohlinger.wordpress.com

Some time ago I had researched funding options for post-graduate studies. I
thought I include these results. In hindsight, I notice, that I had not even
looked up one single source of funding for students with disabilities. I am glad
my current course (H810, www.open.ac.uk ) has improved my awareness.
UK
http://www.scholarship-search.org.uk/
http://www.findaphd.com/students/funding.asp
Corporate Sponsors
http://www.phdproject.com/corp_sponsors.html
http://research.google.com/university/relations/phd_fellowships.html
International
http://www.scholarshipnet.info/
http://www.mladiinfo.com/
USA
http://www.students.gov/
http://www.4grantmoney.com/
http://www.windfalls.com/
http://www.eastchance.com/anunt_index.asp?q=us,sch
http://blog.scholarships.com/financial-aid/states-cut-grants-as-students-
borrow-more-money-for-college/
4
Britta Bohlinger
http://britbohlinger.wordpress.com