ChairScholars Foundation, Inc.

Higher education is the cornerstone of a healthy community. It is the most vital link to economic empowerment and self-sufficiency. Yet, an astonishing 73% of young people with physical disabilities can’t obtain a college degree or vocational training due to the monumental financial burden of their disability. We’re on a mission to change this.

The ChairScholars Foundation, Inc. is a Florida-based 501-(c)-(3) charity. Our sole mission is to give financially disadvantaged children with physical disabilities scholarships, for college or vocational training, so that they can become active, self-sufficient, economically secure adults. Since 1992, we have provided 591 children with physical disabilities this opportunity.

We have two programs: the Florida Scholarship Program and the National Scholarship Program.

The Florida Scholarship Program is available to middle school students, attending public school, in Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, Pinellas, Sarasota and Volusia counties. Qualified children must have a physical disability and be eligible for the free and reduced lunch program”. The children selected for this program are provided with a mentor that will meet with them weekly until they graduate from high school. These children also sign contracts agreeing to remain drug-free and crime-free in order to keep their scholarships. This scholarship provides full tuition for a bachelor’s degree at any of the colleges in the Florida University system.

The National Scholarship Program is available to disadvantaged children with physical disabilities throughout the United States. Selected children are provided tuition assistance of up to five thousand dollars per year to attend the college of their choice.