The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland (NFBMD) is thrilled to administer the John T. McCraw Scholarship Program for Academic Year 2025-2026. The Program will award up to four individual scholarships of $4,000 each. These scholarships will be given to qualified blind students who exhibit academic achievement, community involvement, and leadership.
The John T. McCraw Scholarship Program has been established to promote post-secondary educational opportunities for Maryland's blind students. The recipients may use these scholarships to defray the cost of educational expenses incurred at any post-secondary institution during the 2025-2026 academic year. All John T. McCraw scholarships are merit-based and are awarded based on academic excellence, community service, and leadership.
NOTE: A special scholarship may be awarded to former McCraw Scholarship recipients. To apply for this special scholarship, former recipients must still meet all of the requirements for the McCraw Scholarship Program and submit a new application.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
A) Any legally blind student is eligible to receive a scholarship who:
1. Resides in the State of Maryland, or is pursuing post-secondary studies in the State of Maryland;
2. Will turn age 18 on or before July 7, 2025;
3. Will be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student at any post-secondary institution in the Fall of 2025 and the Spring of 2026. Priority will be given to full-time students.
B) Recipients are required to attend the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in its entirety, July 8-13, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana, as well as the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, in February 2026, in Maryland. Financial assistance to attend the Conventions will be provided.
C) Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2025. Shortly thereafter, the scholarship committee will select the recipients, but will not award the scholarships until personally interacting with the recipients at both conventions. Scholarships will be awarded at the state convention banquet in February 2026. Recipients' participation in both conventions in their entirety is mandatory in order to qualify for these scholarships.
D) Scholarship finalists must provide proof of admission prior to being confirmed as a scholarship finalist. Finalists must also provide a transcript demonstrating proof of completion of the fall semester and proof of enrollment for the spring semester before recieving any scholarship funds.
E) The scholarship committee may request additional information from an applicant. The scholarship committee's decision concerning the recipients of the John T. McCraw Scholarship Program is final.
(Blind students are also invited to apply for the nationwide scholarships offered by the National Federation of the Blind. The application deadline for the national NFB scholarships is March 31, 2025. Visit www.nfb.org/scholarships to apply for the national scholarships.)
Note: Applicants who are not selected to receive a John T. McCraw Scholarship may be considered for a grant to participate in the NFB National Convention, NFB of Maryland State Convention, or both. Those interested in this grant should notify the Scholarship Committee.
Please apply online.