Computer Science Scholarships for Students with Disabilities (2026)

You bring the skills; these programs help fund the grind. Below are U.S.-based, disability-focused scholarships (many CS-specific) plus legit resources that open doors to internships, mentoring, and paid research. Skim the bullets, pick your best fits, and ship the apps.

Microsoft Disability Scholarship (HS seniors → tech majors)

• Why it slaps

  • Built for students with disabilities targeting tech careers at 2- or 4-year schools 🧑‍💻

  • Brand-name win + alumni network

  • CS/IT/engineering and related fields are eligible

• Amount: Recent cycles list up to $5,000 (check portal for current award)

• Deadline: Typically late winter/early spring

• Apply/info: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/diversity/programs/microsoftdisabilityscholarship MicrosoftBigFuture

Google Lime Scholarship (college undergrads in CS/CE)

• Why it slaps

  • CS-specific funding for students with disabilities 📊

  • $10,000 (US) typical award + Lime Connect community

  • Leadership + academic excellence focused

• Amount: Up to $10,000 (US)

• Deadline: 2025 cycle listed Mar 1–Apr 21 (dates vary each year)

• Apply/info: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarships/google-lime-scholarship BigFuture

Lime Connect Pathways Scholarship (HS seniors → 4-year)

• Why it slaps

  • On-ramp for high school seniors with disabilities heading to STEM/CS

  • Puts you on Lime’s radar for internships and events

• Amount/Deadline: Varies by cycle (see page)

• Apply/info: https://limeconnect.com/awards/lime-connect-pathways-scholarship-for-high-school-seniors/ Lime Connect

Wells Fargo Scholarship Program for People with Disabilities (Scholarship America)

• Why it slaps

  • Renewable support for undergrad students with disabilities (all majors; CS welcome)

  • Clear eligibility + nationwide reach

• Amount: Recent cycles show up to $2,500 (full-time) / $1,250 (half-time)

• Deadline: Example 2025 window: Feb 27–Apr 10 (varies each year)

• Apply/info: https://scholarshipamerica.org/scholarship/pwdscholarship/ (Amount/dates example from BigFuture.) Scholarship America, BigFuture, Scholar’s Apply

National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Scholarships (any field)

• Why it slaps

  • Multiple national awards for legally blind students 👩‍🦯

  • Strong amount + national network

• Amount: Recent program info shows $8,000 per winner (plus travel/perks)

• Deadline: Annual cycle (opens late fall; due early spring, varies)

• Apply/info: https://scholarships.nfb.org/ (Amount via NFB program pages.) scholarships.nfb.org, nfb.org

American Council of the Blind (ACB) Scholarships (any field)

• Why it slaps

  • Suite of awards for blind/low-vision students 🎓

  • One application → multiple scholarships considered

• Amount: ACB reports $111,400 awarded to 24 students in 2025 (amounts vary by award)

• Deadline: Annual (winter open; spring close, varies)

• Apply/info: https://www.acb.org/scholarships American Council of the Blind

NCLD — Anne Ford & Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarships (learning disabilities; HS seniors)

• Why it slaps

  • Anne Ford: four-year scholarship for students with LD heading to 4-year colleges

  • Allegra Ford Thomas: two-year path (community/technical programs)

• Amount: Anne Ford: $10,000 ($2,500/yr × 4); Allegra Ford Thomas: $5,000 ($2,500/yr × 2)

• Deadline: Annual; see NCLD page

• Apply/info: Anne Ford: https://ncld.org/scholarships-awards/anne-ford-scholarship/ — ✅ Verified Aug 20, 2025. Allegra Ford Thomas: https://ncld.org/scholarships-awards/allegra-ford-thomas-scholarship/ — ✅ Verified Aug 20, 2025. NCLD

Cochlear Scholarships (hearing loss; U.S./Canada citizens)

• Why it slaps

  • Achievement awards for Cochlear implant recipients (Graeme Clark) and Baha/Osia recipients (Anders Tjellström)

  • Multiple awards; strong community visibility

• Amount/Deadline: Varies by program/year

• Apply/info: https://www.cochlear.com/us/en/home/ongoing-care-and-support/connect-with-us/scholarships Cochlear, hearandnow.cochlear.com

180 Medical Scholarship (specific medical conditions)

• Why it slaps

  • Straightforward award for students with SCI, spina bifida, transverse myelitis, neurogenic bladder, or ostomy

  • CS majors eligible if they meet condition(s)

• Amount: Typically $1,000 (multiple awards)

• Deadline: Example 2025 close: June 1 (varies)

• Apply/info: https://www.180medical.com/scholarships/ (Amount/date examples corroborated by BigFuture/DO-IT.)180 Medical, BigFuture, doit.uw.edu

🧰 Career & campus resources (legit and useful)

• AccessComputing (UW/NSF): Mentoring, community, and mini-grants for CS students with disabilities (travel, accessibility, research). https://www.washington.edu/accesscomputing/ — ✅ Verified Aug 20, 2025. UW Homepage

• AAPD Summer Internship (paid, DC or remote): Stipend + housing/transport (in-person) + mentorship; huge policy/tech network. https://www.aapd.com/summer-internship-program/  aapd.com

• Disability:IN NextGen Leaders: 6-month mentorship + Fortune 100 recruiting; great CS pipeline. https://disabilityin.org/what-we-do/nextgen-leaders-initiatives/  Disability:IN

• WRP (Workforce Recruitment Program): Federal talent database for students with disabilities → paid internships/jobs (including tech). https://www.wrp.gov/ wrp.govDOL

• JAN (Job Accommodation Network): Free, confidential guidance on accommodations (ergonomics, software, testing). https://askjan.org/ Job Accommodation Network

FAQ (short + real) 💬

1) Are all these scholarships CS-specific?
No—some (like Google Lime) are explicitly CS, while others are disability-focused and major-agnostic (you can use them for CS). Always check the portal for eligible majors. BigFuture

2) Can I stack a disability scholarship with state aid or Pell?
Often yes, but your financial aid office may re-package awards if you exceed cost of attendance. Ask about stacking rules before you commit.

3) I’m blind/low-vision. Which should I prioritize?
Start with NFB and ACB (national, sizeable, one application → multiple awards for ACB). Add CS-specific like Google Lime if eligible. scholarships.nfb.org, American Council of the Blind, BigFuture

4) I’m a HS senior—what’s my first move?
Hit Microsoft Disability Scholarship (HS-friendly), plus Lime Pathways. Then list state/college funds on your CS program’s scholarship page. Microsoft,  Lime Connect

5) What if my disability isn’t listed on a program page?
Email the scholarship contact—criteria differ. For accommodations during classes/research, bookmark JAN. For internships, join WRP and Disability:IN NextGen. Job Accommodation Network, wrp.gov,  Disability:IN