Scholarship Program

National Federation of the Blind of Arizona State Scholarship

The National Federation of the Blind of Arizona offers two merit-based scholarships each year during our state convention. Both scholarships include:

  • NFB of Arizona State Convention
  • National Convention
  • 1,000 dollar scholarship

Scholarship Applicant Requirements

Each applicant must meet the following requirements to apply and be considered for an NFBA 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 registered in an Arizona-based college or university for the upcoming semester for which the scholarship will be awarded
  • Must be able to attend the entire NFB of Arizona State Convention
  • Complete the scholarship application packet prior to the deadline which is May 31, 2022
  • No late or incomplete scholarship packets will be accepted

Scholarship Submissions Checklist

Review your application for completeness by using the following checklist:

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

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

  2. Personal essay of about 800 words, describing your professional goals.

    Be sure to include how your education will assist you in reaching these goals. Share how you are involved in your community, if you are involved with 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. You are required to provide a letter of recommendation from an individual that can describe your academic ability, leadership skills, and/or community involvement.

  4. You are required to provide us with transcript from the institution you are currently attending and transcripts from all other post-secondary institutions you’ve 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. You are required to provide a statement from a qualified professional that certifies you meet the federal definition of “legally blind.”

    Certifying Authority: The NFB form is preferred, download it here; alternately you may submit a signed statement on business letterhead. Either one must be completed by a trained certifying authority, such as an optician, optometrist, ophthalmologist, physician; itinerant teacher of the blind, rehabilitation counselor, the president of a local chapter, or state affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind.

  7. National Federation of the Blind of Arizona President’s letter:

    Each applicant must complete a phone interview with the NFBAZ president. Please schedule your interview with Donald Porterfield at nfb.az.president@gmail.com.

  8. All completed packets must be submitted by emailing your completed scholarship packet to the scholarship committee chair, Amy Porterfield, amypfield@gmail.com.

Questions? Please call Amy Porterfield at 520-396-8707.

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.

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 mount of eight-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.