Scholarships for Autistic Students

Scholarship Sponsored by Organization for Autism Research

Overview
The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) offers $3,000 scholarships to students on the autism spectrum. Applicants must have an autism diagnosis (meeting DSM‑IV or later criteria) and be enrolled in or accepted to full‑time postsecondary education in the United States for the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters. Since 2007, the OAR Scholarship Program has distributed $2,013,000 to 690 deserving autistic students.

Who may apply
- Diagnosis: Applicants must have a documented autism diagnosis consistent with DSM‑IV or later.
- Enrollment timeframe and location: You must be attending—or have been accepted to attend—an accredited U.S. postsecondary institution for the 2026–2027 academic year (Fall 2026 and Spring 2027).
- Types of programs accepted: Four‑year colleges/universities, two‑year colleges, trade, technical or vocational schools, cooperative life‑skills or postsecondary programs, and other certification/accreditation programs are acceptable.
- Enrollment status: Applicants must be enrolled or accepted for study on a full‑time basis (minimum of 6 credits) OR be working toward a professional certification/accreditation (for example: paralegal, culinary, etc.).
- Degree restrictions: If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, you are not eligible. These scholarships do not fund graduate or postgraduate study.
- Conflicts of interest and prior awards: Previous recipients of an OAR scholarship are ineligible. Immediate family members of anyone serving on OAR’s Board of Directors or Scientific Council may not apply.

Special eligibility for the Synchrony Scholarship
The Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color is reserved for applicants from racial or ethnic groups that are underrepresented. Eligible backgrounds include:
- Black / African American
- Indigenous (Native American, Native Alaskan)
- Hispanic / Latino
- Asian American / Pacific Islander
- Middle Eastern / North African
- Multiracial

Scholarship programs
Each award is $3,000. The available named scholarships include:

- The Schwallie Family Scholarship
Supports students enrolled at two‑ or four‑year colleges and universities. Applicants to this scholarship are often pursuing four‑year degrees; two‑year students who plan to continue on to a four‑year program commonly apply here. Many applicants who identify with a diagnosis historically described as Asperger Syndrome apply to this scholarship.

- The Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship
Intended for students attending two‑year colleges, life‑skills or postsecondary programs, and vocational, technical, or trade schools. This award typically attracts applicants who face daily challenges related to autism and who are enrolled in programs focused on skill building, job readiness, and transition supports.

- Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color
Open to students at any type of undergraduate postsecondary program (two‑ or four‑year colleges, life‑skills/postsecondary programs, or vocational/technical/trade schools) who are from underrepresented racial or ethnic backgrounds (see list above).

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