Key Takeaways
Complete the FAFSA to access federal funding opportunities, such as grants and work-study programs.
Don't stop looking for financial aid after completing the FAFSA. Also look at vocational rehabilitation, tuition waivers, targeted scholarships, and veterans' benefits reserved for people with disabilities.
Combine general aid with disability-specific funding, Social Security work incentives, and college cost adjustments to reduce tuition and the additional expenses of going to college.
College costs can look different when you have a disability. In addition to tuition, fees, books, and housing, you may need specialized or assistive technology services that a college's standard price estimate may not include.
While there isn't one single national program that makes college free for students with disabilities, there are funding sources reserved for that particular population, as well as federal rules that allow colleges and public agencies to recognize certain disability-related expenses.
This guide explains how to combine these available options with traditional financial aid to help you pay for college with a disability.
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Understand Your Financial Aid Options
Students with disabilities can access several funding sources to help them pay for college, such as federal aid, scholarships, tuition waivers, vocational rehabilitation, veterans benefits, and Social Security work incentives. Consider the following steps when looking into your financial options.
Start By Filing the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the starting point for most college funding because it provides access to federal grants, Federal Work-Study, and student loans. In addition, states, colleges, and disability-specific programs may also require it before awarding their own assistance.
Although filing the FAFSA is the initial and most important step in securing financial aid, there is no single or specific federal grant for students with disabilities.
However, students with intellectual disabilities have one distinct federal pathway. Those enrolled in an approved comprehensive transition and postsecondary program may qualify for:
Pell Grants: provide need-based aid to eligible undergraduate students and generally don't require repayment.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants: provide additional grant aid to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need at participating colleges.
Federal Work-Study: provides part-time jobs that allow students with financial need to earn money for education expenses.
Explore Funding Programs for People With Disabilities
There are several available resources and programs that can help students with disabilities pay for college. These programs usually connect education funding to an employment goal, a particular disability, or public college enrollment.
State Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
Every state has at least one vocational rehabilitation agency that helps eligible people with disabilities prepare for, obtain, keep, or advance in employment. You can find yours through the Rehabilitation Services Administration's state agency directory.
Vocational rehabilitation is not a general tuition assistance program. If college or career training is necessary for your employment goal and included in an approved Individualized Plan for Employment, the agency may help with postsecondary education and related approved services.
Funding depends on your eligibility, employment plan, state policies, available resources, and whether another program can pay the expense. Contact the agency before enrolling or incurring major costs, so a counselor can determine whether the proposed program and expenses fit your plan.
State and School Tuition Waivers
Some states and colleges offer tuition waivers for specific groups of students with disabilities. There are some provisions, as programs may be limited by residency, disability type, benefit status, school, degree, credit load, or remaining financial need.
For example, Maryland offers a community college tuition waiver for eligible students receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Students must file the FAFSA, and the waiver can cover up to 12 credits per semester for certain degree or certificate programs designed to lead to employment.
Texas provides a tuition waiver for eligible deaf and hard-of-hearing students at public colleges, universities, and technical schools. It covers tuition and tuition-based fees but not books, supplies, housing, or food.
You should check your state's higher education agency website or ask your school's financial aid office whether they offer their own disability-related waivers.
Scholarships for Students With Disabilities
Use scholarships to fill gaps that remain after grants, waivers, and other benefits. Look for awards from your college, community foundations, professional associations, employers, and organizations that serve people with your specific disability or health condition.
Veteran Readiness and Employment
Veterans and service members who can't work because of their service-connected disability may qualify for Veteran Readiness and Employment (also called VR&E or Chapter 31).
VR&E works similarly to the vocational rehabilitation programs in that a counselor evaluates eligibility and determines whether a particular degree or training program supports the participant's employment goal. If approved, the program can cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, and a monthly allowance.
Disability Benefits
Although they're not education grants, you may use disability benefits to help cover tuition, books, transportation, housing, or other college costs. For example:
Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which provides monthly payments based on limited income and resources. Further, the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) may also allow an eligible student to set aside some of this income or resources for school expenses related to an employment goal.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which generally requires a qualifying disability and work history
Receiving SSI or SSDI doesn't make you ineligible for financial aid. However, even though SSI is not taxable and generally does not appear in the income used by the FAFSA, any taxable portion of SSDI may be included in adjusted gross income and could affect need-based aid.
Combine your Funding Sources
As every student should, start with grants and scholarships available through the FAFSA, then contact vocational rehabilitation or VR&E before paying for a program. Additionally, know your rights as an individual with disabilities: you can check with the school's disability services whether it provides auxiliary aids and assistance (such as interpreters or communication support) at no charge to you, and also ask the financial aid office about tuition waivers and disability-related cost adjustments.
Consider applying separately for disability scholarships and keep records of every award and covered expense. If you receive SSI or SSDI, consult Social Security or a WIPA benefits counselor before changing work hours, moving scholarship funds, or setting up a PASS. This sequence can help prevent one program from paying a cost that another program should cover.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paying for College
If you can't finish a semester for medical reasons, you should contact your advisor, disability services office, and the financial aid office before dropping classes. Ask about an incomplete, reduced course load, approved leave, or medical withdrawal. A complete withdrawal can trigger a Return of Title IV Funds calculation, while an illness or injury may support a satisfactory academic progress appeal under the school's policy.
