OAR Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Organization for Autism Research

The application period for the 2023 OAR Scholarship Program opened on Monday, December 5, 2022, and remain open until Monday, April 24, 2023. Applicants may apply to only one of OAR’s scholarship programs, which include the Schwallie Family Scholarship, the Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship, and the Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color. Each program offers $3,000 scholarships to students diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder pursuing full-time, postsecondary, undergraduate education in the United States during the 2023-24 academic year.

The Schwallie Family Scholarship supports students attending two- or four-year undergraduate colleges. The majority of Schwallie applicants are students attending four-year degree programs. Schwallie applicants attending two-year degree programs are often students who intend to transfer to a four-year program in the future.

The Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship supports students attending two-year undergraduate colleges; life skills programs; or vocational, technical, or trade schools. Hussman applicants typically have greater daily support needs and plan to attend programs that assist in skill building, job readiness, and other transition-related skills.

The Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color supports students attending any kind of postsecondary institution: four-year undergraduate colleges; two-year undergraduate colleges; life skills or postsecondary programs; or vocational, technical, or trade schools. Applicants must belong to an underrepresented racial/ethnic minority group.

Each scholarship requires completion of an online application that includes three short essay questions, date of diagnosis, and proof of school enrollment. In addition:

• Schwallie Scholarship applicants are strongly encouraged, but not required, to submit one letter of recommendation from a non-relative.
• Synchrony Scholarship applicants are required to submit one letter of recommendation from a non-relative.
• Hussman Scholarship applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation, one from a parent or guardian and one from a non-relative.