Lighthouse Guild Scholarship Program

Lighthouse Guild provides annual scholarships to exceptional college-bound high school students and graduate students who are legally blind.

Key Details

• Geographic Scope: United States (recipients from across the country, including 39 states since inception)
• Focus Areas: Merit-based scholarships for academic accomplishment and strong academic achievement
• Award Structure:
  • Approximately 10 college-bound (high school) scholarships of $10,000 each
  • 1-3 graduate scholarships of up to $10,000
• Total Program Impact: Since inception in 2005, the program has awarded approximately $2.5 million in scholarships

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be legally blind (defined as central visual acuity of 20/200 or less after corrective lenses, or visual field of 20 degrees or less in both eyes combined)
• High school students seeking to attend college
• Graduate students
• Strong academic accomplishment and merit

Program Purpose

The scholarships help students with vision loss make a successful transition to college and graduate education. Funds may be used for specialized equipment, distance learning preparations, or other college-related expenses.

Career Outcomes

Former scholarship recipients have pursued careers as:

• Attorneys, teachers, engineers, chemists
• Composers, musicians, neuroscientists
• Social workers, business owners, investors
• Epidemiologists, nurses, physician assistants
• Physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists
• Journalists, computer scientists

Contact Information

• Phone: 212-769-7801
• Online Application: www.lighthouseguild.org/scholarships
• Address: Lighthouse Guild, 250 West 64th Street, New York, NY 10023
• TTY: 711
• General Phone: 800-284-4422

Additional Recognition

Lighthouse Guild also recognizes exceptional teachers through the annual Lighthouse Guild Teacher Award, nominated by scholarship applicants themselves.

Application Process

1. Access the online application at www.lighthouseguild.org/scholarships
2. Submit application materials through the online portal
3. Include required essays demonstrating academic achievement and personal accomplishment
4. Application review - Applications are reviewed competitively based on academic merit and essays
5. Notification - Recipients are announced and notified of awards

Required Materials

• Online application form
• Essays describing personal triumph and academic achievement
• Academic documentation/transcripts (implied)

Notes

• The program receives hundreds of scholarship applications and essays each year
• Selection is competitive and merit-based
• For more information, call 212-769-7801