Schwallie Family Scholarship Program

The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) is now accepting applications for the fall 2008 Schwallie Family Scholarship Competition to support qualified individuals with autism or Asperger Syndrome in the United States pursuing post-secondary education. OAR will present one award of $3,000 in each of three categories: 1) Four-year undergraduate college or university; 2) Two-year undergraduate college, and; 3) Trade, technical or vocational school. These will be one-time awards for any recipient.

Note to Prior Applicants:
The first application period occurred in September 2007.  Given the relatively short period until the fall 2008 application deadline, persons who applied previously are not required to submit a new application unless they choose to do so.  For this year only, OAR will consider the prior application for the next scholarship period. 

Download the Application

Eligibility: Any individual with an established autism or Asperger Syndrome diagnosis and who has been accepted for the fall 2008 semester or is currently attending an accredited institution of higher education and will continue in fall 2008 is eligible to apply. Eligible individuals need to be enrolled on at least  a part-time basis (6 credits) or be working toward certification or accreditation in a particular field (e.g., studying to be a paralegal). Individuals who are past recipients or immediate family members of any person serving on OAR’s Board of Directors or Scientific Council currently or in the past three years are not eligible to apply.

Application: Individuals interested in applying for the Schwallie Family Scholarship must submit three (3) complete sets of the following:

1. A completed application form downloadable from the website
2. Documentation of status as a person on the autism spectrum;
3. Documentation of acceptance or attendance at a qualifying institution;
4. A written Letter of Recommendation from someone other than a family member, who is familiar with the individual’s potential to complete the required coursework; and
5. An autobiographical essay, not to exceed 1,000 words, including your reasons for applying for the Schwallie Family Scholarship.  Please note that the essay is expected to be solely the work of the applicant and not that of family members or other involved parties.   

Application Mailing Address:  OAR will be moving to a new suite at the same address effective February 1, 2008.  If applying before February 1, 2008, applicants must send three (3) complete applications to:

Organization for Autism Research
Attn: Schwallie Family Scholarship
2000 N. 14th Street, Suite 480
Arlington, VA  22201

Effective February 1, 2008, applicants should address and send all required materials to:

Organization for Autism Research
Attn: Schwallie Family Scholarship
2000 N. 14th Street, Suite 710
Arlington, VA  22201

Hard copy applications sent by U.S. mail or other delivery services must have a postmark date of April 25, 2008, or before.

Review: All completed applications will be reviewed by a committee consisting of least three people that will include a representative from the Schwallie family, OAR, and an individual on the autism spectrum. Factors including originality of content, financial need, previous challenges overcome, and any stated future aspirations may be considered by the review committee in making their decision.  OAR will announce the scholarship awards on July 11, 2008, and award the funds for the fall 2008 semester by August 15, 2008.