Scholarships

Disability Resources and Services (DRS) offers several scholarships. Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit and financial need.  Award amounts vary based on scholarship.  Preference is given to applicants who have not already received a scholarship in the same academic year. Scholarships may be used for tuition and related expenses, tutoring, assistive technology, internships, other disability-related expenses unless otherwise indicated. 

To apply for a scholarship, please complete the online DRS Scholarship Application, including any required attachments, before 5:00 pm on the application deadline date.  You will have to include your major and major category on the application. Here is a sample list of categories and majors - Categories/Majors for DRS Scholarship Application

Click here for the DRS Scholarship Application

Important! There is a change in the scholarship application deadlines starting in Spring 2021. Scholarships will now be awarded once in the Fall semester and once in the Spring semester. The deadlines are as follows:

Fall Semester - October 15th

Spring Semester - February 15th

Scholarship application will be available January 6, 2025!

Please remember that scholarships are not guaranteed and can take some time to process. The typical timeline is one month after the scholarship deadline. For example, if the scholarship application deadline is is February 1st, you should hear back from the DRS Scholarship Committee by the first week of March.

Eligibility Criteria*

  • Matriculation as a registered Temple student with a Temple GPA of 2.5 or higher.

  • Attended Temple at least one [1] semester and be enrolled in a program leading to a degree.

  • Registration with Temple University Disability Resources and Services (DRS).

  • Demonstrate financial need for scholarship support. This is verified through your current year **FAFSA application.

* Some eligibility criteria might vary by scholarship. Please review the information provided for each scholarship.

** International Students - Consistent with conditions of Non-immigrant Student (F-1 or J-1) status, international students are required to report to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) any change in financial circumstances. ISSS will review your financial situation and provide you with a revised Form I-20 (F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (J-1 students) to verify changes in your financial circumstances. Please include copies of all Forms I-20 or Forms DS-2019 with your DRS Scholarship application.

Note: Successful applicants who receive scholarships must submit a thank you, with a copy sent to drs@temple.edu within four (4) weeks of receiving the award. Guidelines for thank you letters are provided with scholarship award letters. Submission of a thank you letter is required for consideration for future DRS scholarships.

Scholarships

Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship for Students with Disabilities

  • Eligibility: All Temple students with a disability

Matthew Hollander/Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship

  • Eligibility: Students with a mental health disability.

Joshua A. Winheld/Charlotte W. Newcombe Scholarship

  • Eligibility: Students with a physical disability that significantly impacts mobility.

Erling and Julia Indahl Scholarship

  • Eligibility: Students with a visual disability.

Cynthia Wirth Scholarship

  • Eligibility: Students with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Bertha Pasternak Feldman Scholarship

  • Eligibility: Graduates of the Widener Memorial School or the Philadelphia School District, with Widener Memorial School graduates' preference.

Alice Raefsky Scholarship*

  • Eligibility: Temple students with a disability who have demonstrated leadership, persistence, and achievement in their academics or community service activities

*Awarded annually in April. The student recipient is nominated and selected by DRS staff based on eligibility. 

Silver and Silver Scholarship

  • Eligibility criteria: Undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts registered with DRS and have financial needs.

  • Must have 12 or more credits remaining and be in good academic standing.

  • Must be nominated by a faculty member. Nominations are collected in February, and a recipient is selected by April.

  • See the College of Liberal Arts website for more information.

Vocational Rehabilitation

State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies provide a wide variety of services to assist people with disabilities to secure gainful employment. Many students who experience significant disability-related financial needs find relief from their state vocational rehabilitation agency. To locate the agency that serves your home state, please consult the vocational rehabilitation website.

Student Financial Services

Student Financial Services offers advice and guidance on a variety of scholarships, grants, and loans.