Scholarships for individuals with autoimmune diseases are designed to provide financial assistance to students who are dealing with these chronic health conditions.
Before I give a detailed account of these scholarships, it will interest you to learn more about the different autoimmune diseases and their impact on students.
Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, considering them as foreign invaders. There are numerous autoimmune diseases, each affecting different organs or systems in the body.
Here are some common autoimmune diseases, categorized by the affected area:
- Rheumatological Autoimmune Diseases:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Affects the joints, causing inflammation, pain, and stiffness.
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): Can affect multiple organs, including the skin, joints, kidneys, heart, and lungs.
- Sjögren’s Syndrome: Primarily affects the salivary glands and tear glands, leading to dry eyes and mouth.
- Ankylosing Spondylitis: Affects the spine and sacroiliac joints, causing pain and stiffness.
- Psoriatic Arthritis: Affects both the skin (psoriasis) and joints.
- Gastrointestinal Autoimmune Diseases:
- Celiac Disease: Affects the small intestine due to an immune response triggered by gluten consumption.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, characterized by chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Endocrine Autoimmune Diseases:
- Type 1 Diabetes: Results from the immune system attacking and destroying insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
- Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Involves the immune system attacking the thyroid gland, leading to an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
- Graves’ Disease: Causes an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) due to the immune system attacking the thyroid gland.
- Neurological Autoimmune Diseases:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Affects the central nervous system, causing damage to the protective covering of nerve fibers.
- Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS): Attacks the peripheral nervous system, leading to weakness, numbness, and, in severe cases, paralysis.
- Myasthenia Gravis: Affects the connection between nerves and muscles, resulting in muscle weakness and fatigue.
- Skin-related Autoimmune Diseases:
- Psoriasis: Causes the rapid buildup of skin cells, leading to red, scaly patches on the skin.
- Vitiligo: Results in the loss of skin color due to the immune system attacking and destroying pigment-producing cells.
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Impact of autoimmune diseases on Students
To mitigate the impact of autoimmune diseases on students, it is crucial for educational institutions and non-governmental organizations to provide support in the form of scholarships, accommodations, and others for individuals with autoimmune diseases.
Here are some common ways in which autoimmune diseases can affect students.
Fatigue and Reduced Energy Levels
Many autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, can cause chronic fatigue.
Students with autoimmune diseases may experience extreme tiredness, making it challenging to concentrate on their studies and engage in extracurricular activities.
Pain and Physical Limitations
Autoimmune diseases often involve inflammation and pain in various parts of the body. Joint pain, muscle aches, headaches, and other symptoms can make it difficult for students to sit for long periods, write, or participate in physical activities.
Cognitive Impairment
Some autoimmune diseases, like lupus and multiple sclerosis, can cause cognitive dysfunction, commonly known as “brain fog.” Students may experience difficulties with memory, concentration, problem-solving, and information processing, affecting their academic performance.
Fluctuating Symptoms
Autoimmune diseases can have unpredictable symptom patterns, with symptoms waxing and waning over time. Students may face challenges in maintaining a consistent schedule, attending classes regularly, and meeting deadlines due to unpredictable health issues.
Emotional and Mental Health Impact
Dealing with a chronic illness can have emotional and psychological consequences. Students may experience increased stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation due to their health condition, which can further affect their academic performance and overall well-being.
Medication Side Effects
Many autoimmune diseases require long-term medication management. Some medications can have side effects that impact students’ cognitive function, appetite, mood, and sleep patterns.
Medical Appointments and Treatment
Students with autoimmune diseases often need regular medical appointments, treatments, and therapies.
These appointments may require them to miss classes or take breaks from their studies, leading to academic disruptions and the need to make up missed work.
15 Popular Scholarships for Autoimmune Diseases
Since you have waited to this point, let’s take a look at the list of scholarships for autoimmune diseases.
- AbbVie Immunology Scholarship
- Anderson & Stowell Scholarship
- Anthony’s Legacy of Love (ALL) Foundation
- Autoimmune Warriors “You Got This” Scholarship Award
- AutoimmuneMom Scholarship
- Elaine Chapin Fund
- EveryLife Foundation RAREis Scholarship Fund
- John E. Kostic Memorial Foundation Juvenile Diabetes Scholarship
- Lupus Inspiration Foundation for Excellence (L.I.F.E) Scholarship Foundation
- Microsoft disAbility Scholarship
- NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship
- The Buckfire Law Scholarship
- The Hannah Bernard Memorial Scholarship
- This Is Me Foundation Scholarship
- You First Foundation Scholarship
See in the details the list of scholarships for autoimmune diseases;
AbbVie Immunology Scholarship
The AbbVie Immunology Scholarship aims to reduce the financial burden for students impacted by inflammatory diseases.
The company offers the AbbVie Immunology Scholarship to help students who have autoimmune or inflammatory conditions such Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), Crohn’s disease (CD), rheumatoid arthritis, uveitis (UV), and others. The primary purpose of this scholarship is to assist these kids in achieving their academic objectives and leading independent, brave lives in the future.
Through this scholarship, our passion for patient care is extended to empower students as they pursue a degree and a life that is not defined by their disease.
See here for more details and the scholarship application
Anderson & Stowell Scholarship
This award is available to anyone who is ill, and it can be used in place of an autoimmune illness scholarship. In addition to not being on academic probation, candidates must be enrolled full- or part-time in a program at a recognized college.
The two-page, double-spaced essay that applicants are required to submit should describe the highs and lows of having an autoimmune disease.
Unfortunately, this scholarship closed on 30 August 2021. To get updated, kindly subscribe to our newsletter to get scholarship updates.
Anthony’s Legacy of Love (ALL) Foundation
The ALL foundation is a not-for-profit organization established in 2018 to help people suffering from an autoimmune disease. Since its inception in 2018, the organization has provided $18,200 in scholarship funds to college students who are suffering from an autoimmune disease.
The Outstanding Community Leadership Scholarship is one of the scholarships for autoimmune diseases provided by the ALL foundation, it is a $2,000 award designed to provide financial support for students suffering from an autoimmune disease but still want to further their education.
To receive this award, you have to be enrolled in an accredited university pursuing a bachelor’s degree program, be active in your community, have high academic standing, and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
See here for more details and the scholarship application
Autoimmune Warriors “You Got This” Scholarship Award
This is one of several autoimmune disease scholarships offered by the ALL foundation to assist those with autoimmune disorders in obtaining the education they require to realize their professional aspirations.
You must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an approved two-year or four-year college or university in the United States in order to be eligible to apply for this award. Strong academic performance and participation in the community are other requirements for this scholarship.
See here for more details and the scholarship application
AutoimmuneMom Scholarship
The AutoimmuneMom Scholarship is an annual scholarship program that aims to support students who have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease or have a family member with an autoimmune condition. This scholarship is mostly for research and not for high school students.
See here for more details and the scholarship application
Elaine Chapin Fund
The Elaine Chapin Fund was founded to give money to support students with multiple sclerosis, either directly or through a family member, throughout their higher education. The only people who may apply for this award are citizens of Missouri and the Saint Louis area in the United States.
Candidates must be currently enrolled or plan to enroll in an American higher education school. Recipients are chosen based on their financial needs, academic standing, and how multiple sclerosis has affected their lives.
See here for more details and the scholarship application
EveryLife Foundation RAREis Scholarship Fund
The EveryLife Foundation RAREis Scholarship Fund is a program designed to support individuals with rare diseases in their pursuit of higher education. It provides financial assistance to help cover the costs of tuition, textbooks, and other educational expenses.
The scholarship is open to individuals diagnosed with a rare disease, as well as their family members or caregivers. It aims to empower and enable these individuals to achieve their educational goals despite the challenges posed by their rare condition.
John E. Kostic Memorial Foundation Juvenile Diabetes Scholarship
The John E. Kostic Memorial Foundation Juvenile Diabetes Scholarship is only available to incoming college freshman from the State of New Jersey.
This scholarship is intended only for Type 1 diabetic high school seniors who plan to pursue a four-year degree at a recognized university, college, technical school, or trade school.
You must currently reside in New Jersey, have an outstanding record of academic achievement, and have participated in extracurricular activities, athletics, or community service to be eligible for this scholarship.
It is essential necessary to provide a letter of support from your doctor or CDE confirming your medical condition.
See here for more details and the scholarship application
Lupus Inspiration Foundation for Excellence (L.I.F.E) Scholarship Foundation
The Lupus Inspiration Foundation for Excellence (L.I.F.E) Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to students with lupus. Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can have a significant impact on a person’s life, including their ability to pursue education.
The L.I.F.E Scholarship Foundation aims to support and encourage individuals with lupus to continue their education and achieve their academic goals. The scholarships provided by the foundation can help cover tuition fees, textbooks, and other educational expenses.
See here for more details and the scholarship application
Microsoft disAbility Scholarship
This scholarship is to empower and enable people with disabilities to reach their academic goals without having financial challenges.
The $5,000 scholarship is awarded annually and if the recipient maintains good academic standing it can be renewed for an additional three years. So, the scholarship has a potential total of $20,000.
The scholarship is given to a senior in high school who has autoimmune disease-related difficulties. To pursue a career in technology, the applicant must have applied to or be preparing to apply to a recognized higher education school.
The applicant must also show leadership potential, have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and demonstrate financial need. Three essays, a CV, an academic transcript, and two reference letters are additional application materials that must be submitted.
See here for more details and the scholarship application
NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship
The NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship is a program that provides financial support to college students with disabilities who are pursuing careers in the media and entertainment industry. The scholarship is named after Tony Coelho, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a prominent advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities.
The scholarship is administered by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) in partnership with NBCUniversal. It aims to increase the representation and inclusion of people with disabilities in the media by supporting their education and career development.
To be eligible for the NBCUniversal Tony Coelho Media Scholarship, applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited U.S. college or university and have a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in the media industry. Applicants must also have a documented disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The scholarship provides financial assistance to cover tuition fees and related educational expenses. The specific amount and number of scholarships awarded may vary each year depending on available funding.
The application process typically involves submitting an online application form, academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and samples of media-related work. The personal statement often includes information about the applicant’s disability, their passion for the media industry, and their career aspirations.
See here for more details and the scholarship application
The Buckfire Law Scholarship
This scholarship is intended for persons who have a handicap, a problem, a chronic sickness, or any other autoimmune health issue.
It aids in giving financial support to those who have health problems and desire to pursue higher education.
You must fulfill the following eligibility requirements in order to be eligible for the $1,000 scholarship award:
- Must be enrolled in an American post-secondary institution and be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States
- Been enrolled at your host institution for at least one semester
- Been diagnosed with a disability or illness by a licensed physician
See here for more details and the scholarship application
The Hannah Bernard Memorial Scholarship
The Hannah Bernard Memorial Scholarship is a scholarship for students suffering from complex pain conditions such as the Myositis and any other autoimmune disease categorized as a complex pain condition.
To enroll, you simply need to fill an application and essays of 500 words or less describing yourself and how you are living your best life in spite of chronic pain and also how receiving this scholarship will help you achieve your educational goals.
This Is Me Foundation Scholarship
This is one of the scholarships for autoimmune diseases designed for students currently suffering from or who had recovered from Alopecia.
Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss on the scalp and sometimes other parts of the body.
It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, resulting in hair thinning or complete baldness.
There are different types of alopecia, including alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis, each with varying degrees of hair loss.
Applicants must be in high school in their final years at the time of application aiming to further their education at an accredited higher institution in the United States.
See here for more details and the scholarship application
You First Foundation Scholarship
You First Foundation Scholarship is for any student who has gone through a traumatic medical event. It is a $6,000 scholarship for high school seniors.
Whether it is an autoimmune disease or a sudden diagnosis, if it has affected your life in some way, and if you are seeking financial support, then the You First Foundation Scholarships are there to provide you with the assistance you are looking for.
For eligibility, you must be a resident of Texas, be a current Graduating High School Senior, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7, and planning to get enrolled in an accredited two or four-year College, University, or Vocational school within the United States.
See here for more details and the scholarship application
A final thought on the Scholarships for Autoimmune Diseases
Scholarships for individuals with autoimmune diseases play a crucial role in supporting their educational pursuits and providing opportunities for academic and personal growth.
These scholarships not only help alleviate financial burdens but also promote inclusivity and raise awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with autoimmune diseases.
By empowering and investing in their education, these scholarships contribute to creating a more accessible and equitable educational landscape for students living with autoimmune conditions. Since your opinion counts on our platform, feel free to air your view in the comment section below.
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