The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) is pleased to invite applications for the Schwallie Family Scholarship to provide $3,000 scholarships for students across the autism spectrum.
The purpose of the program is to supports students attending any two or four-year universities in the United States for the fall 2019 or spring 2020 semesters.
OAR is an organization founded by parents and grandparents of children with autism, who serve as a board of directors providing leadership, life experience, and heart.
In 2008, OAR introduced the Schwely Family Scholarship to help the post-secondary, undergraduate education of eligible individuals with Autism Spectrum Diagnosis.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, the applicants must meet all the following:
- Any individual with an established autism diagnosis and who will be attending an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education in the United States for the Fall 2019/Spring 2020 semesters are eligible to apply.
- Eligible individuals need to be enrolled on a full-time basis or be working toward certification or accreditation in a particular field (e.g., studying to be a paralegal, chef, etc.).
- Past recipients of a Schwallie Family Scholarship/Lisa Higgins Hussman scholarship or immediate family members of any person serving on OAR’s Board of Directors or Scientific Council are not eligible to apply.
- Schwallie applicants typically pursue degrees at four-year universities.
- Many applicants with a diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome choose to apply for this program.
- Persons with an autism diagnosis (DSM-IV or later criteria) pursuing full-time, post-secondary, undergraduate education or vocational-technical training in any of the following: four-year undergraduate college or university, two-year undergraduate college, trade, technical or vocational school, and cooperative life skills programs, are eligible to apply
Application Process
- How to Apply: Applicants are required to complete an application by using an online application system. The application contains primary contact information, date of diagnosis, proof of enrollment, and three short essay questions. Applicants may review their application materials by logging in here.
- Supporting Documents: A proof of diagnosis and one letter of recommendation from a non-relative may be submitted.
Benefits: The program will provide $3,000 to supports students attending two or four-year universities.
