Read all information before starting the application process.
SCHOLARSHIP
GUIDELINES
ELA Scholarships are available
only to women graduate students with physical disabilities who are enrolled
in an accredited college or university in the United States. These scholarships are
awarded on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
(1) The student must be a woman with a physical disability.
(2) The student must be currently accepted to a graduate program working
towards a Masters degree or above in an accredited college or university
in the United States.
(3) The applicant must be a member of AAPD.
(4) The student must be willing, as an ELA Scholar, to network on the ELA
listserv. This will enhance the ELA Scholar's support base in professional
and advocacy arenas.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
The ELA Foundation will award scholarships depending on academic and leadership achievements in addition to participation in disability activities. The ELA scholarship is a supplement to financial assistance for tuition costs for female graduate students with physical disabilities.
The scholarship award is contingent upon the recipient's acceptance to, or continuation in, an accredited college or university graduate program. The scholarship check will be made payable to the educational institution.
Only the ELA scholarship recipients will be notified. Their names will be posted on the ELA website and listserv.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS
If you meet the eligibility requirements , first submit the application form electronically. Between the dates of March 1st 9:00 AM PST and June 1st 5:00 PM PDT please send your completed application packet to the ELA offices, 1482 East Valley Road, Suite 504, Santa Barbara, CA 93108.
Consideration will not be given to any material received prior to March 1, or after 5:00 PM PDT, June 1.
APPLICATION PACKET
A completed Application packet must include the following:
(1) A completed typed ELA Scholarship Application form (in English) with signed
affidavit.
(2) A completed ELA Verification of Disability form signed
by your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor or physician.
(3) An essay in 1,000 words or less, typewritten in 16-point font or larger
and double spaced explaining, "How I Will Change the Face of Disability
on the Planet”. Use of page numbers and headers and footers is mandatory.
(4) Two typed letters of recommendation from current teachers, faculty
members or employers on their letterhead regarding your scholastic aptitude,
leadership abilities and personal qualifications. Letters typed in 14-point
font or larger are preferable.
(5) An unofficial copy of the college/university transcript reflecting
your most recent college or university academic year.
Everything counts on your application. This includes neatness,
legibility, spelling, grammar, and providing the information as requested.
Use of abbreviations is discouraged.
The
Application and Disability Verification Forms:
Use the template forms at the end of this section to complete the application form and disability verification.
(1) Open the application form and type your information
into the boxes provided. When you click "submit", your form will
come directly to the ELA Foundation.
The complete
application form with affidavit will appear on your screen ready to be
printed once you click “submit”.
(2) Print your completed application form and sign the affidavit. The
hard copy of your signed application must be sent with your
completed application packet. When you sign the affidavit, you are attesting
to the accuracy of all information in your application. Applications,
which are not signed, will not be considered.
(3) Print the disability verification form and take it to your physician
or counselor for them to complete and sign.
(4) In one envelope mail the application packet including the application form and disability verification along with the other required documents to the ELA Foundation. Please do not put documents in a binder or folder, or include any extra materials.
Receipt Confirmation
The only way to confirm your application packet has been received by ELA is to include a self-addressed stamped postcard showing:
Date of Receipt:
Received by:
QUESTIONS?
Additional information regarding the application process
is found in the FAQ's of the Scholarship section of the ELA website. Read the FAQ section before continuing the application process.
If you still have a question, please direct it via email to webinquiry at ela.org or use our contact form.
ELA Foundation
