Autism Related Scholarships
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Most scholarships specifically for the study of autism come from autism societies or foundations. Many states also have scholarship programs geared toward degree programs in the study of autism. There are also research grants and scholarships available.
National Sources
The Autism Society of America awards scholarships each year to deserving students. The Collins Scholarship is awarded to a graduate student studying autism. The scholarship is for graduate and post-doctoral work in the research of autism with the emphasis on prevention, cure and the amelioration of autism.
The Eden Services Charles H. Hoens, Jr., Scholars Program awards a $1,000 scholarship to an individual who has autism who has been accepted to a post-secondary school or vocational or trade school.
Local Sources
Check also with local and state autism societies. For example, the Autism Society of New Hampshire offers the Charlene Wood Memorial Scholarship. Two $500 scholarships are awarded annually to undergraduate and graduate students seeking a career in the field of autism.
The Lower Delaware Autism Foundation offers two different kinds of scholarships relating to autism. One is a scholarship program offered to graduating seniors and college students who are seeking degrees that will affect the education of those with autism in Sussex County. The other scholarship is for the staff of the Sussex Consortium for their continuing education in the field of autism.
Scholarships are often awarded for special conferences or meetings which fund the cost of registration, lodging and sometimes meals. Pennsylvania's Department of Education Bureau of Special Education funds scholarships so that students can attend the National Autism Conference. This particular scholarship is for students and recent graduates of Pennsylvania State University who might pursue a career dealing with autism.
Many medical schools and universities offer similar scholarships for travel expenses and such to conferences and workshops like this.
The CVS Pharmacy Charitable Trust provides 5 scholarships of $1,000 each per year to allow students with autism to attend the college or trade school of their choice. The Autism Society of America administers the program.
Several states now offer scholarships both for students with autism and for students pursuing studies in the field of autism. The Ohio Autism Scholarship Program will pay up to $20,000 per year for an eligible student with autism to attend a private postsecondary school.
The Autism Treatment Center of America in Western Massachusetts offers scholarships based on financial need to attend their tuition-based program which leads to employment within the center. They also have an apprentice-based program which is largely comprised of on the job training and also encompasses specific training in working with individuals with autism.