The National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota is pleased to announce that our 2024 Joyce and Tom Scanlan scholarship program is now open. Applications are being accepted until April 15. This year we will be awarding two scholarships for $2,000 to qualified applicants. In addition to the monetary award, winners will have the opportunity to attend the Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind during July 3-8 at our expense in Orlando, Florida this year. At the convention, scholarship winners will have the chance to meet other blind students from throughout the country and gain valuable insights into succeeding as blind people. Additionally, both winners are required, at our expense, to attend the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota convention in the fall, date and location still to be determined. The scholarships will be presented at the banquet of this convention.

Candidates must be students who are legally blind and attending a post-secondary school full-time or part-time in Minnesota. In order to apply for a scholarship, complete the online scholarship application. Be sure to include the additional required documents and send them to scholarships@nfbmn.org. A Microsoft Word version of this information and application can also be requested through the same email address.

If it is necessary to send this information on paper, mail to:

NFB of Minnesota Scholarships
100 East 22nd Street
Minneapolis, MN  55404

The following documents must also be supplied:

1. Personal essay from applicant. NFB scholarships are awarded on the basis of scholastic excellence and community/campus service and leadership. In your essay, discuss your academic and career goals as well as your academic, community, and/or employment experiences. Tell us about yourself and why you are a deserving recipient of the scholarship. Since the awards are restricted to legally blind people, the committee will also be interested in the techniques you use to succeed as a student who is blind. If you are a part time student, tell us how your part time status supports your educational goals.
2. Two letters of recommendation. You can send these via email to scholarships@nfbmn.org
3. Current official transcript from institution now attending and transcripts from all other post-secondary institutions attended. If you have not yet completed one year of college study, submit a transcript from the high school you previously attended.

All applicants will be contacted by a member of the scholarship committee shortly after the application deadline. A telephone interview will give you the opportunity to tell the committee more about yourself and your goals.

Your application, essay, letters of recommendation, and transcript(s) must be received by April 15, 2024.

If you or anyone else should have any questions regarding these awards, please contact the Scholarship Committee, at scholarships@nfbmn.org or call us at 612-872-9363.

Additionally, the National Federation of the Blind offers 30 national scholarships each year. This is a completely separate program with a separate application process. The application deadline for that program is March 31, and arranging for an interview with our state president before the national deadline is required. If you would like more information about the national scholarships, visit http://www.nfb.org/scholarships