Do you ever wonder how the National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program works? If you do, here is a detailed composition to give you the proper orientation you need on the topic.
About the National Federation of the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind is not only the largest but also, reportedly, the oldest organization of blind Americans in the country.
The establishment of this program occurred sometime in 1940, when there was not much attention paid to the education of people with disabilities. The organization started small and has since stood the test of time.
With divisions in all fifty states, the NFB is now headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland.
It is an establishment that has been designed to ensure the proper integration of blind individuals in America into society. It aims to help the blind receive equal treatment with the sighted in society, basically by ensuring their education.
Put together, the pursuit of the foundation is intended to ace the cultural, social, political, economic, and vocational advancement of the blind and is also dedicated to protecting the rights of the said target group.
Ever seen any similar platform so determined and goal-oriented? The National Federation makes its dream of improving the blind a reality by giving about $250,000 worth of grants in cash and prizes to American blind scholars every year.
So far, this annual offer has proven invaluable in the lives of some applicants, who eventually reached the pinnacle of their ambitions with the grant as a stepping stone.
With NFB, we hope your life will take a similar turn too.
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The National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program Eligibility Criteria
Concerning this and, well, all other scholarship programs around, one commonly asked question has always been: How do I know if I am eligible? How do I know if I qualify?
Well, why not these? You want to be sure about your eligibility status before committing your time and effort to a course of action. As for NFB, applicants are advised to ensure they meet the following criteria:
- Be a resident of the United States, as the grant targets Americans with visual impairments.
- Applicants must be legally blind in both eyes. As the foundation’s name should have implied, the offer is not for the blind.
- Scholarships under this foundation are offered based on community service, leadership, and academic excellence.
- Applicants must demonstrate a desire to take a full-time post-secondary program in the United States.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. 17-year-olds can also apply for this program if they will be turning 18 before July 1.
To wrap up, all candidates aspiring to enjoy this offer should do well to familiarize themselves with the organization’s code of conduct and constitution while they become integrated into the association.
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How to Apply for the National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program
So having learned all that you’re now exposed to regarding the NFB, how do you go about the application process? Briefly, here’s all there is for you to take into consideration:
First, the period of application The application for this scholarship is usually open for about four months every season. Typically, it opens in December and runs through March 31st of every year.
If you are reading this anytime between April and November, remind yourself that it is the best time to stay prepared and maximize the incoming opportunity—knowing full well that your academic performance can determine a lot.
What’s more? You are more likely to merit this offer if you apply early and meet its eligibility criteria.
Similarly, the foundation partners with several other scholarship programs to boost its strength and ability to fulfill its purpose of improving the general well-being of the blind.
Consequently, scholarship grants are not far-fetched for you. Being a member of the NFB will increase your chances of getting the scholarship offer that suits you the most.
For first-hand information on NFB scholarship application processes, we would suggest you visit the platform’s official page here or reach out to them through nfb@nfb.org.
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National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program Scholarship Summary
To sum up, all that has been said in this piece will go into the following lines in a nutshell:
Area of Study: Any
Eligible Grade: High School Graduate
Minimum GPA required: N/A
Geographic Eligibility: United States
Gender: Any
Race/Ethnicity: American
Country of study: United States
Specific School(s): Post-secondary institutions
Amount Granted: (varies)
Requirements: Full-time postsecondary program
Opening Date: December
Deadline: March 31st
Why the National Federation of the Blind?
You want to choose the NFB program among others because there are several significant reasons for doing so. Some of those reasons include:
First, the foundation is a structured platform with a constitution that guides the actions and inactions of every member, putting the operations of those in power in check.
Additionally, members of the NFB have a say in the decisions the board of directors of the foundation makes because the form of governance adopted by the organization is democratic. Members of the platform at every level have equal rights and privileges.
They are free to be involved in so many things. This is very unlike other scholarship foundations.
Further, the NFB program is one designed for both interested sighted and blind Americans to contribute to the betterment and improvement of the standard of living and quality of life of the blind.
It promotes the association that the blind need! With this foundation, blind Americans also get to meet like-minded people who can understand them better.
It may be plausible to add that for every blind organization coming to make state affiliates, a majority of its voting members at the local chapter must be identified as blind.
All of these, among others, are reasons you should consider seeking a scholarship with the National Federation of the Blind if you reside in the United States or, say, merit it.
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Final Thought
The National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program is the go-to platform for most blind Americans, making it a tested and trusted choice we would also recommend for underprivileged people in the same category.