[NFB-Utah] 2026 Scholarship program

[nfbutah at gmail.com]

Hello! 

 

With the beginning of a new calendar year, comes the beginning of the NFB of
Utah's Scholarship Program for 2026. Our Scholarship Program is an
investment in the NFB of Utah's future leaders.  We are constantly in search
of blind individuals who demonstrate scholastic excellence, leadership
initiative, and an attitude of service. If you believe that you possess
these qualities, then we invite you to apply for our 2026 scholarship
program and become a part of our movement's future.

 

The National Federation of the Blind of Utah awards as many as five (5)
scholarships to Utah residents, or those attending Utah schools, who are
legally blind.  This includes any full-time undergraduate or graduate
students, as well as any graduating high school seniors who will be
attending college full-time in the fall of 2026.

 

What are we looking for in a Scholarship awardee? Let me introduce a few of
our past scholarship winners:

David Carillo is a two-time state scholarship winner who will complete his
Master's Degree in Social Work from Weber state University this year.  He
will begin his career as  a Certified Social Worker (CSW) at Salais
counseling in Layton. David is also a full-time husband and father. He is a
member of the Weber/Davis chapter and the Student Division.

Megan Swanson is a two-time state scholarship winner, who is currently
pursuing a PhD in Instructional Psychology and Technology from BYU. In
addition, she teaches Technology Integration and Elementary School coding
for future elementary school teachers. She is an active member of the Utah
Valley Chapter of the NFB.

Zachery Ledford is a Senior at the University of Utah majoring in Health and
Kinesiology.  He is the current President of the Utah Association of Blind
Students(UTABS)  as well as a member of the Board of Directors of both the
National Association of Blind Students (NABS) and the Salt Lake Chapter  of
the National Federation of the Blind of Utah.  He also coaches Goalball for
the Utah High School team.

 

These exceptional individuals displayed not only excellence in the
classroom, but dedication to the improvement of the lives of blind
individuals through the National Federation of the Blind of Utah. We invite
you to apply for our 2026 State Scholarship Program by providing the
following:

2026 Scholarship form
<https://www.cognitoforms.com/NationalFederationOfTheBlindOfUtah/NationalFed
erationOfTheBlindOfUtah2026ScholarshipApplication> 

*	A completed application. 
*	A personal essay introducing yourself to us. This is your way of
telling us your story. We want to know who you are. Describe your
achievements and aspirations. Discuss how blindness has affected your life.
How have you overcome society's perception of blindness? Most importantly,
we need to know what you will do to further the work of the NFB and how you
will have a positive impact on our organization. 
*	One current letter of recommendation. This can be from a teacher,
close friend, or NFB member who can tell us of your accomplishments and what
you can bring to our organization.
*	A transcript from your current and any previous post-secondary
institutions. If you are a graduating high school senior who will be
attending college in the fall of 2026, please submit your high school
transcript.

 

All application materials must be received by March 31st, 2026. Please
submit all materials in a word document or PDF to
scholarships.nfbu at gmail.com <mailto:scholarships.nfbu at gmail.com> .

Or upload them as you fill out the scholarship online form. 

 

Please keep in mind that this is a merit-based scholarship. We encourage all
of those who believe in the mission of the NFB of Utah and possess the
qualities we are in search of to apply for the scholarship program, even
those who have applied or won in past years. Finalists will be notified of
their selection by April 14th. They will receive free admission and
accommodation at the NFB of Utah  convention in Ogden, Utah April 23rd-25,
2026. Attendance at this convention is mandatory for all finalists.

 

Rebekah Jakeman

State Scholarship Chair