Wells Fargo & Company and Scholarship America have partnered for the second annual People with Disabilities Scholarship Program. The program’s goal is to help people with disabilities obtain the education or training they need to succeed in the careers they choose.

Applications for the scholarship program are being accepted online at through November 28, 2017, or until 700 applications are submitted.

“Scholarship America is pleased to work with Wells Fargo in offering this scholarship,” says Robert C. Ballard, president and CEO, Scholarship America, scholarshipamerica.org. The private education support organization has distributed more than $3.7 billion to more than 2.3 million students to date. It has offices in Minnesota and Washington, DC.

“We’re committed to making post-secondary success possible for all students. Students with disabilities have overcome many challenges, and this scholarship can help make the dream of postsecondary education attainable.” 

In 2016 Wells Fargo committed $1 million over four years to Scholarship America to develop and implement the program. In the first year of the program, 38 students from around the country received scholarships.

“We were thrilled with the overwhelming response and outpouring of gratitude from recipients in the first year,” says Kathy Martinez, head of disability and accessibility strategy at Wells Fargo.

“It was a clear indicator there’s a need for programs that help make career aspirations a reality for people with disabilities. We look forward to offering the program for a second year.”

Awards are available for qualifying full-time students up to $2,500 per year, and are renewable up to three years. Awards are available for qualifying half-time students up to $1,250, and are renewable up to seven years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first. Renewal is contingent upon maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent. Awards are for undergraduate study only.

The selection criteria include academic performance, demonstrated leadership, work experience, a brief statement of career and educational goals, and an outside appraisal. Financial need will be considered.

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Have an identified disability (defined as someone who has, or considers themselves to have, a long-term or recurring issue that impacts one or more major life activities).

• Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent.

• Be a high school senior or graduate who plans to enroll (or already is enrolled) in full-time or half-time (at least six credits per term) undergraduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in the U.S. for the entire 2018-19 academic year.

Applicants are required to complete the online application and provide a current academic transcript. The online application is accessible for users of all abilities. A dedicated toll-free phone number and email address will be provided to applicants who may need additional assistance.

Each applicant is also required to submit an essay on the question: what life experiences have shaped who you are today?

For more information about the scholarships, please visit scholarsapply.org/pwdscholarship.