The National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota announces its 2021 scholarship program. This year we will be awarding one scholarship for $2,000 and one scholarship for $1,500 to qualified applicants. In addition to the monetary award, winners will have the opportunity to attend the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind during July 6-10. At the convention, to be conducted virtually this year, scholarship winners will have the chance to interact other blind students from throughout the country and gain valuable insights into succeeding as blind people. Additionally, both winners are required, at our expense, to attend the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota convention in the fall, November 5-7, 2021, in Bloomington, Minnesota. The scholarships will be presented at the banquet of this convention.
Candidates must be students who are legally blind and attending a post-secondary school full-time in Minnesota. In order to apply for a scholarship, complete the online scholarship application and email the additional required documents to [email protected].
If it is necessary to send this information on paper, mail to:
NFB of Minnesota Scholarships
100 East 22nd Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
The following documents must also be supplied:
- Personal essay from applicant. NFB scholarships are awarded on the basis of scholastic excellence and community/campus service and leadership. In your essay, discuss your academic and career goals as well as your academic, community, and/or employment experiences. Tell us about yourself and why you are a deserving recipient of the scholarship. Since the awards are restricted to legally blind people, the committee will also be interested in the techniques you use to succeed as a student who is blind.
- Two letters of recommendation. You can send these via email to [email protected]
- Current official transcript from institution now attending and transcripts from all other post-secondary institutions attended. If you have not yet completed one year of college study, submit a transcript from the high school you previously attended.
Interview with Committee Member: All applicants will be contacted by a member of the scholarship committee shortly after the application deadline. A telephone interview will enable the committee to learn more about you and your goals for the future.
Your application, essay, letters of recommendation, and transcript(s) must be received by April 15, 2021.
If you or anyone else should have any questions regarding these awards, please contact the Scholarship Committee, at [email protected] or call us at 612-872-9363.
Additionally, the National Federation of the Blind offers 30 national scholarships each year. This is a completely separate program with a separate application process. The application deadline for that program is March 31, and an interview by our state president before the national deadline is required. If you would like more information about the national scholarships, visit http://www.nfb.org/scholarships