Scholarships for Students With Disabilities 2027: $5,000 to $20,000 Awards to Apply For

Students with disabilities have strong scholarship options in 2027, including awards from Google, Microsoft, and BMO Capital Markets worth $5,000 to $20,000. The best-known programs are the Google Lime Scholarship ($10,000), the Microsoft Disability Scholarship ($5,000 a year, renewable up to $20,000), and the BMO Capital Markets Lime Connect Scholarship ($10,000). Deadlines run from January through April 2027, so the application season is open right now. Here are the awards, the eligibility rules, and how to apply for each one.

Young woman student holding folders on a college campus

Quick answer: The top scholarships for students with disabilities in 2027 are the Google Lime Scholarship ($10,000 for US students) for computer science students, the Microsoft Disability Scholarship ($5,000, renewable for up to four years, up to $20,000) for high school seniors, and the BMO Capital Markets Lime Connect Scholarship ($10,000 in the US). The Microsoft program is expected to reopen in January 2027 with a deadline around March 2027. Always confirm each deadline on the official program page before applying.

Google Lime Scholarship: $10,000 for Computer Science Students

Google has supported the work of Lime Connect since 2008. The Google Lime Scholarship gives $10,000 to students studying in the US (and $5,000 to students studying in Canada) who have a disability and are pursuing computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related technical field. It is open to current undergraduate students at a university in the US or Canada, not to current high school students. Applicants must have a visible or invisible disability, a strong academic record, financial need, and a demonstrated passion for computer science. Recipients also join a networking retreat with other scholars. The 2027 deadline had not yet been posted on the official Lime Connect page as of October 2026, and listings put the 2027 date around April 21, 2027, so check the official page at limeconnect.com before you apply.

Microsoft Disability Scholarship: $5,000 a Year, Renewable Up to $20,000

The Microsoft Disability Scholarship is run by the Seattle Foundation and the Disability at Microsoft Inclusion Network and administered by Scholarship America. It gives $5,000 to high school seniors with disabilities, and the award is renewable for up to three more years, up to $20,000 total, as long as you keep a 2.0 GPA and stay enrolled in an eligible major. Up to 11 awards are granted each year. To qualify, you must be a current high school senior planning full-time or half-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college or vocational school in the US, and you must pursue a degree in engineering, computer science, computer information systems, law, business, or a related field. The program is expected to reopen in January 2027, with a deadline expected around March 2027, based on past cycles. One recommendation form is required, and it must be submitted no later than three business days after the application deadline.

BMO Capital Markets Lime Connect Scholarship: $10,000

Lime Connect also partners with BMO Capital Markets on the Equity Through Education Scholarship. Selected recipients receive $10,000 in the US (or $5,000 in Canada) to support their studies, and one US and one Canadian BMO summer intern each receive an additional $5,000. It is open to undergraduate or graduate students at four-year universities in the US or Canada who identify as having a visible or non-visible disability and who are continuing full-time studies in fall 2027. Listings put the 2027 deadline around April 7, 2027. Check the official Lime Connect page for the current date before applying.

More Help: Vocational Rehabilitation and Campus Aid

Scholarships are not the only funding. Every state runs a Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program that can pay for tuition, books, and support services for students with disabilities who are preparing for work. Start your VR application at least nine to twelve months before you need the money, because approval takes time. Also file the FAFSA for federal grants and aid: the 2027-28 FAFSA guide walks through every step. Many colleges also have their own disability scholarships, so ask your college's disability services office and financial aid office what is available. For a full list of national programs, the National Federation of the Blind and the National Association of the Deaf both run scholarship programs of their own.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best scholarship for students with disabilities in 2027?
The Google Lime Scholarship ($10,000) and the Microsoft Disability Scholarship ($5,000 a year, up to $20,000) are the two largest national programs, plus the BMO Lime Connect Scholarship ($10,000).

How much is the Google Lime Scholarship?
$10,000 for students studying in the US and $5,000 for students studying in Canada, for computer science or closely related technical fields.

When does the Microsoft Disability Scholarship open?
It is expected to reopen in January 2027, with a deadline expected around March 2027, based on past cycles. Confirm the date on the official Scholarship America page.

Can high school students apply for the Google Lime Scholarship?
No. It is for current undergraduate students in computer science or a related field, not current high school students. High school seniors should apply for the Microsoft Disability Scholarship instead.

Do I have to disclose my disability to apply?
These programs ask you to identify as having a visible or non-visible disability, defined as a long-term or recurring issue that affects a major daily activity. You do not need to share medical details beyond what the application asks for.

Where do I apply for these scholarships?
Google Lime and BMO Lime through Lime Connect (limeconnect.com), and Microsoft Disability through Scholarship America. Never pay anyone to apply - legitimate scholarships are always free.

Sources: Microsoft official Disability Scholarship page (microsoft.com; $5,000 award, up to 11 awards, renewable up to three years); Lime Connect official Google Lime Scholarship page ($10,000 US, $5,000 Canada); Scholarships.com listings for the Google Lime Scholarship (deadline April 21, 2027) and BMO Lime Connect Scholarship (deadline April 7, 2027); Scholarships360 Microsoft Disability Scholarship listing (expected open January 2027, expected deadline March 2027). Deadlines that had not yet been posted by the official programs are stated as expected or listed dates - always confirm the current deadline on the official program page before applying. Warning: never pay to apply for a scholarship - legitimate scholarships are always free to apply for.

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