I’m thrilled to announce the 2024-2025 Making a Difference for Autism Scholarship, a program that holds deep personal meaning for me as someone who has experienced the unique challenges and triumphs of growing up on the autism spectrum. My journey from being a nonspeaking child with autism to today becoming a professional speaker, advocate and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree has been shaped by the support and encouragement of many, including my professors and fellow students at the post-secondary level, and now I aim to help the future generations of autistic students fulfill their goal of a post-secondary education. You can learn more about my autism journey in my TEDxTalk ‘The will of opportunity – the path of autism to college’ below.
This scholarship, run through my nonprofit, KFM Making a Difference, is designed to empower autistic students pursuing post-secondary education, whether that be college, community college, vocational programs, or other post-secondary institutions. It’s open to all high school students with autism who will be attending a post-secondary program in the 2025-2026 academic year, as well as current college students with autism who will continue their education during this period.
With no geographic restrictions, this scholarship is available to students in the U.S. and internationally! Whether you are a returning applicant or applying for the first time, we encourage you to share your unique story and aspirations. The winning applicant will receive a $500 scholarship to support their educational journey. Best of luck all!
You can learn more about my nonprofit KFM Making a Difference and our other grants here
You can learn more about the application for the scholarship and if you are eligible to apply here
If you’d like me to speak at your high school or university as part of a student assembly, staff development for your educators, or community event for your parents, contact me here for more details. I also speak with companies on The ROI Benefits of Hiring Autistic and Neurodiverse People in the Workplace. If you you have a referral of someone at a company that may need a speaker for this topic please contact me here.
