MDA College Scholarship Program

MDA College Scholarship Program is sponsored by Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Supports full-time, undergraduate students living with neuromuscular disease, including Myasthenia Gravis, as they pursue their academic dreams. This is a merit-based scholarship.

Meet the MDA Scholars | Muscular Dystrophy Association Apply for MDA's Durable Medical Equipment Grant Program MDA College Scholarship Program The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) College Scholarship program provides students living with neuromuscular disease with support as they pursue their academic dreams.

As medical advances open new doors for this community, MDA is committed to supporting their path to success by making higher education more accessible. The MDA College Scholarship program recognizes students who are making an impact in the neuromuscular community and demonstrate leadership qualities. MDA grants merit-based college scholarships each year at up to $5,000 each.

The application period opens early each calendar year, and applicants receive response notifications in early summer. The 2026 application cycle is closed. In 2025, MDA’s College Scholarship program provided merit-based scholarships to incredibly deserving students who demonstrated leadership and commitment to the neuromuscular community.

What does it mean to be an MDA Scholar? Meet program recipients here! School: Eastern Connecticut State University Major: Business Administration “Receiving the MDA College Scholarship means so much to me.

Knowing that the MDA and the neuromuscular community are truly behind me every step (or, more accurately, roll) of the way is a very reassuring feeling. ” School: Arizona State University Major: Media Arts and Sciences “Being recognized as a leader feels very rewarding. It signifies validation of my efforts and hopefully an opportunity to inspire and support others within the community.

” School: University of Illinois “To the donors who support MDA scholarships: Your generosity is life-changing. You're not just funding education; you're investing in dreams and futures. Thank you for believing in me and empowering the next generation of leaders.

Your impact is deeply appreciated and makes a real difference. ” School: University of Georgia Major: Economics and Molecular Biology “My main goal in the future is to be on the forefront of genetic research. Research has been so impactful in my life and I want to continue the impact it can have.

” School: University of Cincinnati “This scholarship allows me to continue studying Urban Planning so I can help make cities more accessible for wheelchair users. It supports both my education and my goal of living independently while working to create inclusive, accessible spaces for everyone in the community.

” School: Saint Louis University Major: Bioethics and Catholic Studies “The MDA community has equipped me with the tools and confidence to share my story with others” School: Washington State University Major: Marketing and Management “Being recognized as a leader is deeply meaningful; it shows that my voice and actions can inspire others and create positive change.

” School: Pennsylvania State University Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology “The MDA community means a lot to me because it shows that no one has to go through their challenges alone. Seeing how people support each other really inspires me to be part of something bigger and make a difference.

” School: Fordham University Major: Digital Technologies and Emerging Media and Music “I'm very grateful to be awarded the MDA College Scholarship. As a person with neuromuscular disease, living away at college comes with many additional expenses. The MDA Scholarship helps make it possible for me to experience independent living on campus.

I've really enjoyed living and studying in NYC! ” School: University of Virginia Major: Biomedical Engineering “Being recognized as a leader by the MDA scholarship means the world to me, especially in a society where disabled voices are too often overlooked. It’s an empowering reminder that our leadership is vital and that our achievements deserve visibility and celebration.

” School: University of North Carolina Major: Exercise and Sports Science “Thank you for your gracious donations to help support me through my academic career. I won't take this opportunity lightly and will make great use of it.

” School: Dickinson College Major: International Business Management “I am honored to receive the MDA Scholarship, which recognizes my leadership and encourages me to continue making an impact as someone differently-abled. It motivates me to advocate for inclusion in the neuromuscular community and in the diverse communities I encounter, promoting greater understanding and acceptance.

” School: Washington College Major: Environmental Studies and Anthropology “Receiving this scholarship means that I can continue to fulfill my dreams of being a first generation student. It also allows me to continue going to my dream college, and pursuing a degree in a field that I have been passionate about my whole life. ” “Being part of the MDA community reminds me that I’m not alone.

It means belonging to a network of people who understand the challenges, celebrate the wins, and share a vision for a more inclusive, empowered future where patients are collaborators, not spectators. ” Major: Air traffic Control Management “To be recognized as a leader means a lot to me. It lets me know I can break down barriers.

People with disabilities are so often overlooked or written off. This affirms that I can be a leader too. ” School: University of Cincinnati “To me, leadership is about action and impact.

Being recognized as a leader means I have the opportunity to stand up for others and be a voice when they need support. It’s about helping others discover their own strengths and guiding them so they can be successful. ” Students living with a neuromuscular disease who are attending, or applying to attend, a qualified educational institution as an undergraduate, are eligible to apply.

All applicants must meet the following criteria: Diagnosed by a physician as having a neuromuscular disease supported by MDA. Please reach out to the MDA Resource Center at ResourceCenter@mdausa. org or 800-572-1717 if you are unsure if you have a qualifying diagnosis.

US Citizen or a legal and permanent resident of the US Will be attending an accredited educational institution that has a financial aid office Will be a full-time, undergraduate student during the scholarship award year All applicants must be a member of MDA to be considered in the MDA College Scholarship program. By completing the application, applicants will automatically join if they are not a member already.

There is no fee associated with MDA membership. For more information, please visit mda. org/join-mda .

Review the FAQ for more information . MDA College Scholarship Sponsors Frequently Asked Questions When are the important deadlines? The MDA College Scholarship program application period and deadlines are announced annually.

Generally the application opens in January or February and closes in March. Award decisions are generally shared with applicants by the end of June, and public announcement of awardees is typically in August. Check this program webpage for updates.

What costs does an MDA Scholarship assist with? MDA College Scholarships contribute towards offsetting the student’s costs of attendance. Of note: Funds will be paid directly to the school.

Scholarship funds used toward tuition, fees, and other necessary educational expenses may be considered to not constitute income for tax purposes. Any portion of a scholarship not used to pay for these qualified items may be considered income. Please consult your school’s Financial Aid office, IRS or SSDI Office, tax professional, etc. for guidance on potential tax and disability benefit implications.

How and when will I know if I am selected to receive a scholarship? All applicants will be notified via email about award decisions by the end of June. The public announcement will be made in mid-August.

I was notified I was awarded a scholarship from MDA. Congratulations! MDA will email you with award paperwork to complete following the review process.

Please check your email spam/junk folder for possible notifications if you have not received the award paperwork notice. The deadline to accept a scholarship award is listed in the award paperwork. Recipients are asked not to announce anything publicly until MDA’s announcement of awards recipients in August.

How do I receive my scholarship funds? An awarded scholarship is paid directly to the financial aid office of your school – students are not involved in the coordination or transfer of funds. Can my scholarship funds be sent directly to me?

MDA College Scholarship Program funds cannot be sent directly to scholarship recipients. All scholarship funds must be sent to the student’s institution where the Financial Aid office can release funds into student accounts. I may be in need of a deferral – how do I request one?

A deferral is a request to postpone claiming scholarship funds, up to a maximum of one school year. The deadline to have a deferral fully submitted is July 1. Please contact MDA's Scholarship team at MDACommunityPrograms@mdausa.

org to learn more and/or receive deferral paperwork to complete. Deferrals are considered on a case-by-case basis and will need to be approved. Do I have to complete a FAFSA to apply for the MDA Scholarship?

You do not need to complete a FAFSA application for MDA Scholarship consideration – no income or financial need is considered for the MDA College Scholarship. However, many colleges base their financial aid decisions on FAFSA information, so it is recommended to talk to your college or institution to discuss financial aid criteria. What financial information is required on the application?

MDA does not require financial information for the application to be considered. Annual household income is requested as part of the demographics section of the application to help MDA better understand the background characteristics of applicants, but this information is not shared with reviewers and will not be considered when assessing applications. What constitutes a complete application?

A complete application means that ALL information for each field/question is completed and submitted. This includes all sections of the application, as well as any required documents, uploads, referrals, etc., as applicable. Starting the application early to ensure sufficient time for completion is encouraged.

How do I navigate the online application? MDA utilizes WizeHive/Submittable as our electronic scholarship management platform. The MDA application must be completed through this system, which can be accessed via the “Apply Now” buttons on this page.

Once in Submittable, you will create a system username/password, and you will have the opportunity to complete an MDA College Scholarship program application by submitting demographic information and responding to a few essay-style questions. How do I know my application has been received? You will receive an email from the WizeHive platform confirming your MDA College Scholarship program application has been received.

Please check your email spam/junk folder for any possible WizeHive system notifications. If I am not awarded the MDA Scholarship this year, can I apply again? Yes!

Students are encouraged to reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements. I am a donor who would like to set up a scholarship fund with MDA. Is that possible?

Thank you for your interest in supporting MDA’s mission and this important program! Please contact David Sandler at dsandler@mdausa. org for more information.

I am a company or corporate partner who would like to support the scholarship fund with MDA, is that possible? Thank you for your interest in supporting MDA’s mission and this important program! Please contact Crystal Ferro at cferro@mdausa.

org for more information. For any additional questions, please reach out to MDA at ResourceCenter@mdausa. org .

Muscular Dystrophy Association, Inc. 800-572-1717 | ResourceCenter@mdausa. org The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.