College Grants and Scholarships for Students with Diabetes

This scholarship was updated in January 2023.

Before we list some college grants and scholarships for people with diabetes, we want to mention that there are other forms of funding for diabetics based on other criteria than diabetes. There are other criteria for diabetics that may help them find grants and scholarships for college. There does not appear to be many college grants and scholarships that are just for the single, specific eligibility requirement of having diabetes. We have seen evidence that there were a few more organizations out there devoted to providing scholarships for diabetic students, but a few of those college grants and scholarships are no longer available. We have seen some evidence that one or two organizations may create a grant or scholarship for college for diabetics in the future. We will continue to track their progress. Farther down this page, we list other resources with more general, open eligibility requirements that may help.

The Diabetes Scholars Foundation Scholarship Program "Diabetes scholars offer general scholarships open to high school seniors headed to college/university in 2021 living with Type 1 diabetes. We also offer a set of scholarships with unique parameters like prospective major, geographic location, or excellence in athletics or the arts. There is one application to be considered for any and all of the scholarships – all students who fill out the application will be considered for those scholarships that match them." There are MULTIPLE scholarships listed at this website.

Diabetes, Incorporated awards at least one, $1,000 scholarship. "High school senior students who plan to continue their education beyond high school or students who are currently continuing their education beyond the high school level. Applicants must either have diabetes or have an immediate family member who has diabetes and a family member must be a current Diabetes, Incorporated member. Membership dues are $10.00 per year and the year period runs from July through June and can be paid anytime during the year. Only applicants who complete the application in its entirely are eligible."
http://diabetesincorporated.org/scholarship/

Aimee Melissa Davis Memorial Scholarship. A scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior from the Austin area who has been accepted to college, who has juvenile diabetes, and who has financial need. http://aimeemelissadavis.com

The USTA Foundation will list scholarships provided for tennis players. Novo Nordisk Donnelly Award is one of a number of scholarships offered.

https://www.ustafoundation.com/grants_scholarships/donnelly_scholarship/

https://www.ustafoundation.com/scholarship_opportunities/

NeedyMeds provides a long list of scholarships for diabetics.

The Scott and Kim Verplank Foundation Diabetes Type 1 Scholarship:

Sponsor: The Scott and Kim Verplank Foundation provides annual college scholarships of up to $10,000 to be used toward tuition, student fees and books. Scholarships are renewable for up to a maximum of four years for any one recipient based on completing the renewal requirements. Recipients are selected from a pool of applicants meeting the following criteria.

Eligibility Requirements: A Childhood diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes; Successfully managing diabetes with proper medication, exercise and diet; Commitment to education by maintaining in excess of a 3.0 grade point average; Commitment to participating in athletics by actively participating on an organized team; Completion of application with supporting documentation and endorsements.

Applicants are encouraged to apply to the Scott and Kim Verplank Foundation for consideration of the Scholarship at the end of their sophomore year of high school or during their junior year of high school. Applications are accepted on a year round basis. Awardees must maintain 3.0 GPA until graduation.

Money: Up to $10,000. (ten thousand dollars)

Contact: http://verplankfoundation.com/

The Seneca Diabetes Foundation. "With diabetes affecting approximately 50 percent of the adult Seneca population, SDF is leading the effort to research and combat this disease and supports students wishing to enter the health service/medical profession."
http://senecadiabetesfoundation.org/scholarships

"Each of the scholarships focus on a central theme in order to best fit an applicant's individual talents. While a student can apply for more than one scholarship, the application questions are designed so that a student's specific strength or experience would be most effectively conveyed in a particular scholarship."

Below are the scholarships and their topics:

Barry and Deanna Snyder, Sr. Chairman Scholarship: $10,000 over two years with a focus on students who have experience in a leadership position.

Ruth Goode Nursing Scholarship: The focus is on students pursuing a degree in nursing. The recipient of this $5,000 scholarship will have demonstrated qualities that Ruth Goode embodied throughout her long and illustrious career.

Geraldine Memmo Scholarship: For students who have shown an interest in Seneca and/or Native American history. The $5,000 scholarship will "focus on leadership in a health field with knowledge of the rich and diverse history of the Seneca people."

Seneca Gaming Corporation Scholarship: $5,000 awarded annually - focus on students interested in pursuing a degree in healthcare business and administration.

We know. The list above represents a pretty short list of college grants and scholarships for people with diabetes. We are very thankful for all the organizations that contribute, but it is a short list. For that reason, we want to remind all who are looking for college grants and scholarships based on the diabetic criteria that you have other options. You are eligible for college grants and scholarships based on other criteria such as gender, ethnicity, field of study, and more. We recommend that you visit one of our other web pages on this site for a long list of resources that we hope will help show you how to find more college grants and scholarships. The following page may help: The College Grants and Scholarships Page.

The U.S. Department of Education provides funding for several grants. The Pell Grant is one of the most popular grants that many, many students receive year-after-year. PLEASE do NOT underestimate the value of the Pell Grant as well as other funding opportunities listed at their website. Many students will qualify for, at least, some Pell Grant money. Some students will qualify for the maximum amount of Pell Grant money, which is over $6,000. The maximum amount of money may change yearly.

The information provided by the U.S. Department of Education can change, often.

There are a variety of menus and web pages to view on their website. Here are some web pages where you are able to begin your search for funding:

https://studentaid.gov/

https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types

https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell

https://studentaid.gov/h/understand-aid/how-aid-works

https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility

PLEASE visit a College Financial Aid Office for more information about Federal and State grants, scholarships, and financial aid.

The good news about Pell grants and other funding from the U.S. Department of Education is that people can receive up to a little over $6,000. The not so good news is that IF you are awarded the maximum amount of money, then usually, this means that you are considered by "formulas" to be financially in need. However, if you can receive a large part of the grants, listed above, it can go A LONG WAY to getting you a good-paying job with good benefits. Let us give you a possible real-life example on how this CAN work. Let's pretend that you want to be a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (Ultrasound Technologist). This career, like many occupations in the medical field, is in demand. You can make between $50,000 and $60,000 a year with very good benefits if you work at the right hospital. Many community colleges offer an associate degree for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. Usually, the associate degree can be achieved in about two years. As of this writing, many community colleges offer classes for "in-district" fees of about (could be MORE) $80.00 a credit. Most classes are three or four credits a class. Let's say that your classes are four credits each. At $80.00 a credit, this means that each of your four-credit classes will be about $320.00. Let' say that you need 72 credits (approximately 18 classes) to receive the degree. Here is how important three, four, or five thousand dollars in grant money can be. You can take three classes a semester (12 credits) for three semesters (one year = fall, winter, spring/summer). This adds up to 36 credits for one year. The approximate cost of the classes for one year would be $2,880.00 (36 credits times $80.00 a credit). You do NOT need the maximum amount of the Pell Grant to fund a year's worth of classes. If you get more money, then that would be GREAT because it could pay for your BOOKS, which is another expense. Pell Grants are funded every year, SO you can ask for more money to fund the second year of community college so that you can pass your classes; fulfill the 72-credit requirement for the degree; take and pass the national certification examination; apply and be hired at a hospital where you can make around $50,000 with benefits for you and your family. Do NOT underestimate grant money from the U.S. Department of Education and do NOT underestimate the value of an education from a school other than a major university.