The McKay Scholarship
The McKay Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Program is an amazing organization that was created in 1999. It provides scholarships for students with various disabilities to attend a private school of their choice. For some students, the attention and assistance they receive at public school just isn’t enough for them to be put in a situation to succeed. This program helps those that thing private specialized school would be best, but finances are a concern. Some of the disabilities that are considered in this program are:
- A speech and/or impairment
- Hearing impairment (including deafness)
- Visual impairment (including blindness)
- Dual sensory impairment
- Emotional disabilities
- Behavioral disabilities
- A specific learning disability, some of which being
- Dyslexia
- Dyscalculia
- Developmental aphasia
- Traumatic brain injury
- Developmental delays
- Autism Spector disorder
This list is not comprehensive, but as you can see, the program helps a HUGE number of students that may otherwise not have the financial means to make it to college!
Who is Eligible?
Any parent that has a child with an IEP and is dissatisfied with the progress their child is having academically can apply for the John M. McKay Scholarship. The student must have attended a public school for at least a year before applying. There is no specific amount granted by the scholarship, but rather it takes in account what the cost of all the educational services at their original public school account for.
Tips for Applying
Parents should research what private schools have participated in the McKay Scholarship in the past and try to use one of those schools, although technically that isn’t required. You must apply for the scholarship at the programs website, and if accepted, will be given a predetermined amount of money that is to be paid via you to the school you have decided to use. It is important to not this program is only eligible for students prior to high school.
Parents should research what private schools have participated in the McKay Scholarship in the past and try to use one of those schools, although technically that isn’t required. You must apply for the scholarship at the programs website, and if accepted, will be given a predetermined amount of money that is to be paid via you to the school you have decided to use. It is important to not this program is only eligible for students prior to high school.
The McKay Scholarship is a great tool for students with disabilities. If you have a child that isn’t getting quite what they need at public school, but finances are a concern, this scholarship is perfect for your family. There isn’t a better investment you can make then in your child!
