External Scholarships

Communication Sciences and Disorders Scholarships

National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association 

The National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) awards scholarships to deserving undergraduate juniors and seniors in CSD programs, first-year SLP students, or full-time AuD students. Information on their scholarships.

American Speech Language Hearing Association Foundation Scholarships

The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) awards scholarships to full-time applicants who will be or who are currently in a CSD graduate program.  They offer general scholarships as well as special awards for international students, minority students, and active NSSLHA members.  Current list of scholarships and application details.

Students Preparing for Academic-Research Careers Award

The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Students Preparing for Academic-Research Careers Award is for students who have an interest in pursuing a doctorate in CSD and a career as a faculty-researchers in CSD.

Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD) Scholarships 

CAPCSD has a long history of supporting student education. Learn more by visiting their scholarship program on their website.

ASHA Convention Awards  

The following awards are offered by American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) to help students finance their attendance at the annual ASHA convention as well as offer students’ opportunities to enhance leadership skills and engage with top researchers.

Student Ethics Essay Award

The goal of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Student Ethics Essay Award (SEEA) is to increase exposure to ethical dilemmas as students prepare to start careers in CSD.  The award competition is open to undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or entry-level graduate students in CSD programs.

Sertoma Communicative Disorders Scholarship Program

Sertoma’s annual Communicative Disorders Scholarship Program, funded by the Sertoma Annual Fund, is for graduate students pursing advanced degrees in audiology or speech-language pathology from institutions in the U.S.  These scholarships, worth $1,000 each, are awarded in the spring to help offset the cost of tuition, books and fees incurred during the following school year. Sertoma’s Communicative Disorders Scholarships Program provides more funds nationally for graduate level study in communicative disorders than any other single organization.  Applications are due March 30.

Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC)

Funds are available for full-time students in their final year of a master’s degree program in speech-language pathology or audiology.  SAC offers 22 scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,000.  All require the applicant to be a student associate of SAC.  Application due October 15. Additional information, specific criteria and application forms are available on the SAC website in both English and French. Please visit the Speech-Language and Audiology Canada (SAC) scholarships page for more information.

Sleep Family Scholarship For Those With Disabilities

Earning a college degree is more expensive than ever, especially for those with disabilities, who not only have to pay for typical college-related expenses like tuition and books, but other medical-related costs as well. That is why we here at Sleep Family do our best to level the playing field for those with disabilities by providing a $1,500 annual scholarship to one disabled student in need.

Our hope is that by removing certain financial obstacles, students with disabilities can focus more on school and the college experience rather than thinking about how they will cover costs to make ends meet.

Audiology Scholarships

American Academy of Audiology Foundation

The American Academy of Audiology (AAA) has numerous scholarships and grants. 

  • SAA Student Leader Scholarship 
  • Empowering Students Scholarship, $20,000 set aside specifically for Black students.
  • Continued Achievement Scholarship 
  • The Sadan and Singh Memorial Scholarship goes to a minority or international students who shows exceptional promise in audiology research. 
  • Jerry Northern Scholarship in Pediatric Audiology.

Other National Scholarships

AMBUCS Scholars

Since 1955, National AMBUCS™, Inc. has been awarding scholarships to therapy students in their junior/senior year in a bachelor’s degree program, or a graduate program leading to a master’s or doctoral degree.  Over $150,000 is awarded annually with awards range from $500 to $1,500 annually. There is one two-year award in the amount of $6,000. Applications are accepted until April 15 and can be found at https://ambucs.org/therapists/scholarship-program/.

The Sam and Millie Hilburn Scholarships

(Not available in 2021)
Sam and Millie Hilburn Scholarships of $5,000 per year towards tuition costs for a maximum of two years or upon earning a graduate degree in the field of Childhood Language Disorders are offered by the Supreme Council each year.  The number of scholarships awarded is dependent upon the earnings of the Sam and Millie Hilburn Scholarship Fund.  The objective of this scholarship is to aid worthy graduate candidates to become specialists in the field of Childhood Language Disorders. Applications due by March 31.

Local/State Scholarships

Western Washington University Retirement Association Scholarship

This scholarship is made available through the generous contributions from the Western Washington University Retirement Association.  Western students who wish to apply for this scholarship must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program and attend at least half time. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.70 or higher at the time of application. Students must have successfully completed a minimum of 90 credits as of Fall quarter. Applications are due May 8. Information available through Western's Scholarship Office at 360-650-3471 or visit Western' Scholarship Center (enter name of scholarship in search).

The Scottish Rite Scholarship Foundation of Washington Scholarships

The Scottish Rite Scholarship Foundation of Washington scholarship program was designed for undergraduate college students who are attending a college or university in the State of Washington and are also a resident of Washington.  Every year, numerous awards of $3,000 each are given to university students going into their third, fourth, and even fifth year of college.  The scholarships are based upon academic performance, leadership roles in school, and participation in community activities.  Applications due by March 31st.  For more details on eligibility requirements and application process, go to srsfw.org and click on "how to apply" and then "application process".

Washington State Employee Credit Union

Any WSECU member can apply for this scholarship.  The award is for students pursuing a four-year or graduate degree in the fall quarter of this year.  Applicant must be a WSECU member in good standing when the application is reviewed and the scholarship is awarded. WSECU elected volunteers and their family members as well as Scholarship Committee Members and their family members, are not eligible for this scholarship. The application is available December 15 at https://wsecu.org/scholarships.

Washington State Opportunity Scholarship

The Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) supports low- and middle- income students pursuing eligible high-demand majors in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) or health care and encourages recipients to work in Washington state once they complete their degrees. Students must meet additional eligibility criteria. Apply online by February 11.

Whatcom Educational Credit Union

WECU provides assistance to four students pursuing their educational goals at Western Washington University.  To be eligible the student must be a member of WECU® in good standing for a minimum of one year, a full time student, have a demonstrated need of financial aid and an accumulated GPA minimum of 2.75. Application due January 15. Information available through Western's Financial Aid scholarships page (enter name of scholarship in search).

©Diversity Scholarships

UNCF Scholarships, Programs, Internships, and Fellowship

UNCF is the nation’s largest private scholarship provider to minority group members.  Each year they award more than $100 million in scholarships to students attending more than 1,100 schools across the country.  https://uncf.org/scholarships

APIA Scholarships

APIA awards scholarships to support Asian and Pacific Island Americans who are pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees.  For more information, visit https://apiascholars.org

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund assists students of Hispanic heritage who wish to obtain a university degree and is available for high school seniors, undergraduate students, and graduate students.  For more information, visit https://www.hsf.net/scholarship

American Indian Graduate Center

The American Indian Graduate Center is the largest scholarship provider to Native students in the U.S. with up to $15 million in scholarships awarded annually. https://www.aigcs.org

National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing- Scholarships

The National Black Association for Speech-language and Hearing association (NBASLH) offers scholarships for students in graduate speech-language pathology programs, including:

  • The Dr. Henry A. Moses Scholarship for Medical Speech-Language Pathology for students interested in a career in medical speech-language pathology.
  • The Culturally Responsive, Trauma Informed, and Globally Engaged Scholarship for students interested in working with children and/or adolescents who have social pragmatic communication challenges.
  • INVO Healthcare- Progresses Therapy NBASLH Scholarship for students whose primary career goal is to provide services to children in school or early intervention settings.  

They also offer scholarships for students to travel to and be honored at the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing association (NBASLH) annual convention. For more information, please visit https://www.nbaslh.org/awards

The Point Foundation  

Point Foundation (Point) is the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students of merit. Point promotes change through scholarship funding, mentorship, leadership development, and community service training. https://pointfoundation.org/

The Pride Foundation 

The Pride Foundation awards scholarships to LGBTQ+ students. Their scholarship application applies to over 60 scholarships, with only one application. As the Pride Foundation says, their scholarships “support LGBTQ+ students who are facing incredible barriers, regardless of school, major, or GPA.”  The Pride Foundation has been awarding scholarships since 1993. They have awarded more than $6 million to over 1,800 students in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Applications for 2021-22 scholarships are due Friday, January 8, 2021. Learn more at https://pridefoundation.org/find-funding/scholarships/.

The Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA)

The Great Seattle Business Association is an LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce based in Seattle. The GSBA Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to LGBTQ+ and allied students.  Since 1991, the GSBA has awarded over $4.5 million in scholarships. The GSBA shares an application with the Pride Foundation! Applications are due Friday, January 8, 2021. Learn more at https://www.thegsba.org/scholarship-home.

Atsuhiko Tateuchi Memorial Scholarship

  • $5,000 scholarship, renewable annually.
  • This scholarship is offered to the following types of students:
    • Graduating High School Seniors planning to attend an accredited vocational school, college or university (2-year or 4-year degrees).
    • Students returning to school or currently enrolled in an accredited vocational school, college or university seeking support to continue your certificate or degree.
    • Students entering or enrolled in graduate or professional degree programs (MA, PhD, MD, JD, etc.).
  • Preference will be given to students of Japanese ancestry or other Asian ancestry.
  • Students must be a resident of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, or Washington State.
  • Students must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher at current school or the most recently completed academic experience.
  • Must demonstrate financial need.
  • Application available on Survey Monkey Apply to Atsuhiko Tateuchi Memorial Scholarship
  • Deadline to apply: March 1, 2021.

Best Colleges’ List of Scholarships for Black and African American Students

Best Colleges maintains a list of scholarships for Black and African American students

Neurodiversity and Disability Scholarships

The Graeme Clark Scholarship

Graeme Clark is the founder of Cochlear Corporation and considered a pioneer in the field of cochlear implants. There are two scholarships available: one for a cochlear implant student, and one for a BAHA student. The scholarship deadlines are September 30 of each year.
Visit https://www.cochlear.com/us/en/home/ongoing-care-and-support/connect-with-us/scholarships

Alexander Graham Bell Scholarship

The AG Bell Association awards scholarships to ~15% of applicants. Awarded to high-achieving students who have bilateral hearing loss diagnosed before age 4 years. Must be spoken language communicators attending a mainstream university working toward a four year degree or graduate degree in law or public administration. 

Sertoma Scholarship for Students Who Are Hard of Hearing or Deaf

Sertoma’s Communicative Disorders Scholarship, funded by the Sertoma Annual Fund, is for graduate students pursing advanced degrees in audiology or speech-language pathology from institutions in the U.S. These scholarships, worth $1,000 each, are awarded in the spring to help offset the cost of tuition, books and fees incurred during the following school year.

Mays Mission Scholarships for the Handicapped Scholarship Program

Mays Mission offers scholarships to deserving students with physical and/or mental disabilities.To qualify for a Mission scholarship one must be able to document a significant disability, score of 20 or better on the A.C.T or 970 on S.A.T., be enrolled in a four-year study program (under-graduate only) working toward a baccalaureate degree and provide proof of enrollment. The deadline is June 30 of each academic year. For more information, please visit https://www.maysmission.org/scholarships/