State Scholarship Program

National Federation of the Blind of Arizona State Scholarship Program

During our state convention, the NFB of Arizona awards up to Three scholarships: two for full-time students; and one for parttime students, working full-time.

Scholarships include:

  • NFB of Arizona State Convention paid expenses for registration, special session meals, the Banquet, and hotel room
  • national convention paid expenses for registration, the Banquet, and hotel room
  • $1,200.00 scholarship award

 

Scholarship Applicant Requirements

Each applicant must meet the following requirements to apply and be considered for an NFB of AZ state scholarship:

  • Be a resident of Arizona or be planning to attend an Arizona based college or university
  • Be a full-time student, or a part-time student while working full-time
  • Have documentation of legal blindness
  • Be enrolled in an Arizona-based college or university for the upcoming semester for which the scholarship is being awarded
  • Must be able to attend the entire NFB of Arizona State Convention
  • Complete and submit the scholarship application packet no later than June 30, 2026
  • No late or incomplete scholarship packets will be accepted

 

Scholarship Completion Checklist

Use the following checklist to ensure that your scholarship application packet is complete, before submitting it.

Note:  Completed scholarship packets submitted to the national scholarship program will also be accepted by the state scholarship program.

  1. National Federation of the Blind of Arizona Online Scholarship Application Form: Apply Here

  2. Personal Essay: 

    In approximately 800 words, introduce yourself, and describe your professional goals, including how your education will assist you in reaching these goals.  Share how you are involved in your community, if you are involved in the NFB, and your leadership experiences.  NFB of Arizona scholarships are awarded on the basis of leadership, scholastic excellence, and service to the community.

  3. Letter of Recommendation: 

    This letter must be provided by an individual that can describe your academic ability, leadership skills, and/or community involvement.

  4. Transcripts: 

    Transcripts must be provided from the institution you are currently attending, as well as from all other post-secondary institutions you have attended. If you have attended less than one year of higher education, provide your high school transcript. Note: Some schools prefer to send transcripts directly to scholarship programs. We accept transcripts in print or via e-mail from institutions.

  5. College Entrance Examination Reports: 

    This requirement only applies to high school seniors. Attach a photocopy of your score reports for all standardized tests taken for college admission, (ACT, SAT, or other).

  6. Certification Letter of Legal Blindness: 

    You must provide a signed statement on business letterhead from a qualified professional that certifies you meet the federal definition of “legally blind”, or you may download the NFB form, which is preferred, download it here. 

    Examples of trained certifying authorities include:  opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists, physicians, itinerant teachers of the blind, rehabilitation counselors, or the president of a local chapter of an affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind.

  • National Federation of the Blind of Arizona President’s Letter: 

    Each applicant must complete a phone interview with the NFB of AZ president.  To schedule your interview with President Donald Porterfield, please contact him at: 

    (520) 850-2180 or

    nfb.az.president@gmail.com

  1. Scholarship Application Packet Submission: 

    Completed scholarship application packets must be submitted by email no later than June 30, 2026, to Vicki Farley, Chair/NFB of Arizona Scholarship Committee at: 

    nfb.az.scholarships@gmail.com

 

Questions?  Please call Vicki Farley, at (602) 403-9019.

 

National Federation of the Blind National Scholarship Program

The National Federation of the Blind’s annual scholarship program is the largest of its kind in the nation. Every year, we award more than $120,000 to blind scholars across the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in recognition of their achievements and professional aspirations. The National Scholarship Program opens January First, and all application packets must be completed and submitted with the required documents by March Thirty-First.

I am grateful for the scholarship, but more importantly, I am grateful for the terrific leaders I have met. They have taught me to dream bigger, pushing my dreams beyond what I once believed to be possible.

Thanks to our generous partners, there are thirty merit-based scholarships currently available in the amount of ten-thousand dollars each. All scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, community service, and leadership. The finalists are announced every spring. They then attend our national convention in July when the winners of each individual scholarship are selected. Scholarship winners have gone on to succeed in careers ranging from computer science and engineering to civil rights law and international diplomacy.

To learn more or to apply visit the national scholarship page here.