National Federation of the Blind
2009 Scholarship Program

Each year at its national convention in July, the NFB gives a broad array of thirty scholarships to recognize achievement by blind scholars.  All applicants for these scholarships:

1. must be legally blind (PDF document) in both eyes, and
2. must be residing in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, and
3. must be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, postsecondary course of study in a degree program at a United States' institution in the 2009 scholastic year, except that one scholarship may be given to a person employed full-time while attending school part-time, and
4. must participate in the entire NFB national convention and in all scheduled scholarship program activities. (Read "More Than Just Money for School" by Anil Lewis [available November 15th])

In addition to a scholarship, each winner will be brought to the 2009 National Federation of the Blind Annual Convention in July at Federation expense, providing an excellent opportunity for high level networking with active blind persons in many, many different professions and occupations. 

The scholarship application deadline is March 31, 2009, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

What kind of student wins an NFB scholarship?  Read about past NFB National Scholarship recipients in the August-September issues of the Braille Monitor. 

• Braille Monitor August-September 2008
• Braille Monitor August-September 2007 
• Braille Monitor August-September 2006

Each year’s Scholarship Application information is made available online, by mail, and in the November issue of the Braille Monitor (available in large print, Braille, cassette, and online). 

To apply for a scholarship online, please begin here:

• About the NFB Scholarship Program
• Submissions Checklist
• Applicant Instructions
• Frequently Asked Questions (Scholarships FAQ)
• 2009 Scholarship Application Form [The opening of the NFB Scholarship Program is announced in the fall in the NFB’s national magazine, the Braille Monitor. Obtain your own free subscription to know when to apply for next year’s scholarships. The National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program deadline is always March 31 and scholarship applications are not accepted after that date until the next year’s contest begins.]
• Confirmation of Legal Blindness (PDF document)
• 2009 List of Scholarships, $12,000 to $3,000
• NFB Divisions, Groups, and Committees

All questions should be directed to the Chairman.  Email is preferred.

NFB Scholarship Committee
Mr. Anil Lewis, Chairman
Office: (410) 659-9314, x2415
E-mail: scholarships@nfb.org