Varies
Avg. Amount Awarded
58
Days
February 14 2026
Application Deadline
N/A
Renewable
Apply Now
What you'll need:
  • Checkmark Other - Certification of legal blindness; Proof of acceptance from a post-secondary school
  • Checkmark Application Form
  • Checkmark Community Service
  • Checkmark Recommendations Or References
  • Checkmark Transcript
Apply Now
James R. Olsen Memorial Scholarship

Description

The James R. Olsen Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate student studying business, computer science, or information technology and involved in community service. To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants need to be legally blind. Applicants must submit a certification of legal blindness from an ophthalmologist, optometrist or physician. Legal blindness is defined as an individual who cannot see better than 20/200 in the best eye with glasses or contact lenses or whose visual field in the best eye is 20 degrees or less at the widest diameter with glasses or contact lenses. Applicants must also be full-time or part-time students who work at least 32 hours per week, and be involved in their school and local community. Scholarships are awarded to students who attend post-secondary institutions in the United States. Entering freshmen will need to submit their high school transcripts. Applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation from a current or recent instructor, career counselor or employer. Proof of acceptance from a post-secondary school is also required. Entering and transferring students must submit a notice or letter from the admissions office certifying acceptance or consideration for admission. If this is not available when the application is submitted, it must be submitted as soon as it is available. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the American Foundation for the Blind for more information.

Amount Details

$2,000
Low Amount Awarded
$7,500
High Amount Awarded

Eligibility Requirements

  • CheckmarkMust be an undergraduate student
  • CheckmarkMust attend a university or a four-year college
  • CheckmarkMinimum 3.0 GPA
  • CheckmarkRestricted to applicants that have visual disabilities
  • CheckmarkMust not be attending high school currently
  • CheckmarkBoth full-time and part-time students
  • CheckmarkRestricted to students studying Business/Consumer Services, Computer Science/Data Processing

How to Apply

What you'll need:

  • Checkmark Other - Certification of legal blindness; Proof of acceptance from a post-secondary school
  • Checkmark Application Form
  • Checkmark Community Service
  • Checkmark Recommendations Or References
  • Checkmark Transcript
For more info, please visit our site
Contact scholarships@acb.org
Tel: 212-502-7600 Address 2900 S Quincy St., #200
Arlington, VA 22206