[IL-Talk] 2026 NFB of Illinois state scholarship applications now available!

[webmaster at nfbofillinois.org]

Greetings to all,

 

We are pleased to announce that the 2026 National Federation of the Blind of
Illinois (NFBI) State Scholarship Application is now officially available.
This annual program is one of our most impactful initiatives, supporting the
educational advancement and leadership development of blind students across
Illinois. It reflects our guiding philosophy: we care, we share, we grow, we
make a difference, and through our collective efforts, we empower blind
individuals to live the lives they want.

 

We would have shared this announcement sooner; however, we were awaiting the
completion of an important system upgrade by our national office, which
recently transitioned our website from Drupal 9 to Drupal 10. With this
upgrade now successfully completed, we are excited to open the application
process and begin accepting submissions.

 

Each year, the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois awards
scholarships to outstanding blind students who demonstrate academic
excellence, leadership, community involvement, and personal initiative.
These awards are presented during the annual NFBI state convention, where
recipients are honored for their achievements and welcomed into a vibrant,
supportive community. For 2026, the NFBI will award at least one scholarship
beginning at $5,000, with the possibility of additional awards depending on
available resources and the strength of the applicant pool.

 

Scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence and service to the
community. To be considered, applicants must be legally blind, must either
reside in Illinois or attend school in Illinois, and must be enrolled
full-time in an accredited two-year, four-year, or graduate college or
university program. We encourage students from all disciplines and career
aspirations to apply.

 

Application Deadline:
All state scholarship application materials must be received by midnight
Central Time on April 15. Because late applications cannot be considered, we
strongly encourage applicants to begin gathering materials early to ensure
timely submission.

 

To apply:
Complete the online application form at:
www.nfbofillinois.org/scholarships/state-scholarship-program/application
<http://www.nfbofillinois.org/scholarships/state-scholarship-program/applica
tion> 

 

Send proof of blindness, academic transcripts, a letter of recommendation,
and any additional supporting materials via email to:
scholarships at nfbofillinois.org

 

If you have questions, need clarification, or require assistance at any
stage, please contact scholarships at nfbofillinois.org or reach out to Patti
Chang, Chair of the NFBI Scholarship Committee, at (773) 307-6440. Our team
is ready to support applicants every step of the way.

 

We encourage all eligible students to apply and invite our members,
partners, educators, and community organizations to help spread the word
about this opportunity. Together, we care, we share, we grow, and we make a
difference-and by doing so, we help blind individuals to live the lives they
want through education, empowerment, and community.

 

Sincerely,

 

Brian A. Mackey

Brian A. Mackey, Web Coordinator
National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
Phone: 609-680-8488
Email:  <mailto:webmaster at nfbofillinois.org> webmaster at nfbofillinois.org 
Website:  <http://www.nfbofillinois.org> www.nfbofillinois.org 
Facebook:
<https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Community-Organization/National-Fed
eration-Of-The-Blind-Of-Illinois-772697582924637>
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Community-Organization/National-Fede
ration-Of-The-Blind-Of-Illinois-772697582924637
Live the life you want.

The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois is a community of members
and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every
day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want