25 Scholarships for Diabetics to Apply for in 2024

A diabetic student can have a challenging first year at college, university, or trade school after being accepted. Moving into a new place, doing extracurricular activities, joining different clubs or organizations, and remembering the proper medication and medical items needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle can be stressful.

Along with having to worry about the cost of college tuition and paying for academically-needed supplies, diabetic students with juvenile or Type 1 diabetes also need to worry about the cost of medical items needed to control their diabetes. The American Diabetes Association also offers help.

In this article, we have assembled 25 of the best diabetic scholarships for college students and high school seniors with type 1 diabetes who are enrolled and considering enrolling in the following semester.

About Diabetic Scholarships for Students

One of the core decisions that applicants must make with juvenile diabetes or Type 1 Diabetes is to voluntarily disclose their health concerns to the college, university, or trade school. It can be done after the application process.

For incoming first-year students with Type 1 or juvenile diabetes to be eligible, they must disclose the information. Diabetes scholarships are available to help aid their college education. High school seniors successfully managing type 1 diabetes and juvenile diabetes face unique challenges upon enrolling in an accredited university or college.

What Are Diabetic Scholarships?

These financial awards are commonly given out to applicants who not only have diabetes but can show proof of involvement with the diabetic community, wish to be diabetes scholars, and seek higher education. These opportunities are also offered to high school seniors, undergraduates, or graduates who are successful with their diabetes management.

What Qualifies Someone for a Diabetic Scholarship?

If someone has diabetes, they qualify for this opportunity. A letter or official document may be needed from their doctor to ensure the applicant has juvenile or Type 1 diabetes. Recipients can also be of all ages and in any significant or particular area of study, including athletics, and are eligible for several scholarships.

Types of Scholarships for Diabetics

You can easily find dozens of scholarships for diabetics, but all of them generally fall into one of five categories. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of scholarships to help pay for your education while managing diabetes. 

Merit-Based Scholarships

Diabetic students may be eligible to apply for merit-based scholarships based on academics, creativity, athleticism, or other ability. These scholarships usually ask for demonstrated exemplary academic performance, such as a minimum GPA. 

Need-Based Scholarships

Need-based scholarships typically require students to provide financial information to demonstrate their need. The cost of managing diabetes, including medical supplies and treatments, could be considered in assessing financial needs, depending on the scholarship. 

Student-Specific Scholarships

Scholarships sometimes focus on students with unique qualities, such as race, gender, religion, or medical history. Several organizations offer scholarships specifically for diabetic or disabled students, which helps them obtain financial aid tailored to their circumstances. However, some options also require an endorsement from a physician or CDE.

Career-Specific Scholarships

Diabetic students set on a specific career path, such as nursing, dietetics, or health education, can apply for career-specific scholarships for their respective fields. 

College-Specific Scholarships

Most colleges and universities offer scholarships to incoming or current students based on several factors, including academic achievements, community service, and sometimes personal health conditions like diabetes. 

How to Find Scholarships for Diabetics

Students of all education levels can find hundreds of scholarships on Bold.org, including opportunities specifically for students with diabetes. High school and college students can also look for financial opportunities by going through multiple college sites and seeing the type of opportunities available. Additionally, high school seniors can check with their guidance office for options, and undergraduates and graduates can check with their academic advisors. 

How to Apply for Diabetic Scholarships: A Step-by-Step Guide

Bold.org makes it easy to find and apply for hundreds of scholarships. Here’s how: 

Step 1: Visit Bold.org

Head over to Bold.org to find a range of scholarships, including merit-based, need-based, career-specific, and others. 

Step 2: Create a Bold.org Profile

To apply for scholarships, you will first need to create a free profile showcasing your background, experience, and skills to scholarship panels. 

Step 3: Explore Scholarships

Bold.org offers scholarships for different education levels and demographics, including for diabetic students or those with chronic health conditions. Take your time when exploring these opportunities to find the ones that match your goals and qualifications. 

Step 4: Apply for Scholarships

Once you’ve found a few, carefully read the application requirements and determine if you need to submit anything, such as an essay. Put your best foot forward and create the best possible application (and try to get your application in early). 

Step 4: Manage Your Applications

Bold.org provides a dashboard where you can manage all your scholarships in one place. Here, you can view scholarship statuses and get updates on your applications.

Step 5: Automatically Apply Scholarships to Tuition 

One of the benefits of using Bold.org is that they automatically apply your scholarships to your tuition, eliminating the need for additional paperwork. 

Tips for Winning Diabetes Scholarships

Winning a scholarship requires more than just meeting the eligibility criteria. Here are some helpful tips to stand out and increase your chances of securing a diabetic scholarship. 

Tip 1: Apply Early

The early bird gets the morning worm, and this is especially true for scholarship applications. Starting early gives you extra time to research, prepare, and refine your application, helping you stand out from the beginning. And if any issues arise during the application process, you’ll have more time to address them. 

Tip 2: Personalize Your Application

Each scholarship has specific requirements and criteria, so you want to tailor your application to fit these specifics. Take time to optimize each application and highlight why you align with the scholarship’s values. 

Tip 3: Highlight Your Involvement with the Diabetic Community

It’s crucial to showcase your involvement with the diabetic community when applying for applicable scholarships. This could include volunteering, advocacy work, or personal experiences. 

Tip 4: Write a Strong Essay

Your essay is a chance to tell your story and make a lasting impression on the scholarship panel. Ensure it’s well-written, compelling, and authentic while conforming to specific requirements, such as a word count. 

Tip 5: Apply for Multiple Scholarships

Applying for multiple scholarships increases your chances of winning. Bold.org has hundreds of options, so take advantage of all the opportunities and apply to as many as you can. 

Tip 6: Stand Out with a Bold.org Profile

A strong Bold.org profile can help you stand out to donors. It showcases your background, experience, and skills to scholarship panels, so keep your profile updated and accurate.

FAQs About Scholarships for Students with Diabetes

Still wondering what you need to find diabetic scholarships? Hopefully, we can shed some light on some frequently asked questions.

Are there scholarships for people with diabetes? 

Yes, there are several scholarships specifically designed for students with diabetes. The easiest way to find diabetic scholarships is by searching on Bold.org, which breaks down opportunities by demographic, education level, and more. 

Are diabetic scholarships available for graduate students? 

Diabetic scholarships are available for students at various education levels, from high school to college or graduate school. However, always check the eligibility criteria for each scholarship to ensure it applies to graduate students. 

What happens if I win a scholarship but choose to defer my admission? 

The policy for deferring a scholarship varies by institution and scholarship program. Some may allow you to defer the scholarship, while others may require you to reapply. If the scholarship application doesn’t specify, you should check the terms and conditions or consult with the donors, if possible. 

What are some other resources for diabetic students? 

Beyond college scholarships and financial aid, diabetic students can find resources through the American Diabetes Association, including for health insurance, school, and general information. Moreover, your local health clinic or doctor may have additional resources available. 

Are our Diabetic scholarships legit?

Diabetes scholarships are legit and based on evidence of the applicant being diabetic, such as their diabetes management or financial need. Double-check when finding opportunities online and look out for red flags, such as if the organization asks you to pay or put down a deposit.  

How can I improve my chances of winning Diabetic scholarships?

You can improve your chances of winning any scholarship by applying early and submitting the best possible application. Take time to review the requirements and ensure you showcase why you deserve the scholarship, referencing past experiences, skills, and accomplishments. 

How many Diabetic scholarships can you get?

You can be an applicant for several at once and can receive funding from various ones. There is no limit to how many you can apply for nor how many you can receive.

Are Diabetic scholarships taxable income?

Generally speaking, diabetic scholarships are not taxable if the scholarship is used for tuition, assigned books, or a qualifying educational expense.