Programa de Becas Universitarias de la MDA

Programa de Becas Universitarias de la MDA is sponsored by Asociación de Distrofia Muscular (MDA). Becas basadas en mérito para estudiantes universitarios de tiempo completo que viven con enfermedades neuromusculares.

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 2026, 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: University of Notre Dame Major: Computer Science and Applied Mathematics “It feels great to be recognized as a leader, but I know there is still so much work to be done.

I cannot wait for all that is ahead of me! ” School: University of New Hampshire “My dream is to help those who cannot speak or advocate for themselves. I hope to bring more balance, understanding, and compassion into the world by helping others see that being different is not a limitation; it is something amazing.

” Major: Aviation Adminstration “Receiving the MDA College Scholarship significantly eases my financial burden, allowing me to focus more on my studies and pursue a career in the aviation industry. This support not only enhances my education but also empowers me on my journey toward independence.

” 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.

” Major: Biochemistry and 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: University of Georgia Major: Genetics and Economics “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. ” “My future dream is to become a patient-scientist: someone who studies biology and genetics not just from textbooks, but from lived experience. I hope to help researchers better understand rare genetic diseases, contribute to the search for treatments, and make an impact for patients like me.

” School: Central Washington University Major: Electrical Engineering “Thank you to the donors who support MDA scholarships for assisting myself and other students in pursuing a higher education. Your contributions provide students with the opportunity to focus on their education and continue building independent lives. ” 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. ” “The MDA College Scholarship has eased the financial burden of higher education, enabling me to concentrate fully on my academic and career goals. It is a crucial step to a future of independence, helping me to develop the skills and confidence to successfully navigate my future in medicine.

” School: Harvard University Major: Integrative Biology “The MDA community has shaped who I am. MDA has been more than a source of support—it has been a second home. It taught me that my differences are not something to hide, but something to embrace, and inspired me to become my most authentic self.

” School: University of South Carolina “My personal and academic ambitions are the same: to drive systemic change for disabled Americans through law and policy. Living with a physical disability has exposed me to the realities of inaccessibility, funding cuts, and structural barriers that my community faces daily. From a young age, I candidly understood these challenges and felt a deep-seated desire to act.

” School: University of Cincinnati Major: Games and Animation “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.

” School: Fordham University Major: Digital Technologies and Emerging Media & Music “I'm very grateful to once again 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! ” “The MDA and neuromuscular community have given me a strong sense of support, encouragement, and belonging. Being part of a community filled with people who understand my experiences has inspired me to stay confident, overcome challenges, and continue pursuing my goals.

” School: University of Southern California Major: Mechanical Engineering “Having been in and around the hospital, I have grown an appreciation for medical equipment. After earning my bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, I would love to enter the biotech industry or work on surgical robots, hopefully helping the doctors who have treated me so well all my life.

” School: Eastern Connecticut State University Major: Business Administration & Social Work “Looking to my future, I aspire to conduct advocacy work and serve the disability community to the maximum extent possible. There are so many inequities that affect our community on a daily basis and it's far overdue that they be corrected.

” School: University of North Carolina Major: Exercise and Sports Science “Having the continued support of MDA through my college career provides a positive impact to both my finacial and mental wellbeing. Knowing I have the support of an organization I hold close to me helps me push through the tough times.

” School: University of Texas at Austin Major: Biomedical Engineering “Because of this scholarship, the financial burden of living with a chronic illness while working towards my Biomedical Engineering degree has been lightened, and I have the ability to pursue graduate studies. I plan to obtain a PhD and assist with muscular dystrophy research to help more people like me!

” 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: University of Alabama “The neuromuscular community has taught me that true strength is found in resilience and perseverance. It means a lot to be supported by a community that embraces challenges head on and ensures that everyone has the support they need to achieve their goals.

” 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.