National Federation of the Blind Texas Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by National Federation of the Blind Texas

Overview

Each year the National Federation of the Blind of Texas awards scholarships to outstanding blind students who are residents of Texas. The 2026 scholarships will be presented during the annual convention, scheduled for November 6–8, 2026, at the Marriott San Antonio Airport in San Antonio, TX. Attendance at the convention, at NFB of Texas expense, is mandatory for all finalists. Finalists should plan to arrive by 4:00 PM on November 6 and depart no earlier than noon on November 8.

Description: Scholarships are awarded at the state convention and finalists must be present for award events and related activities. Travel and lodging for finalists are covered by the organization. Exact arrival and departure times are set to ensure participation in all required events.

• Convention dates: November 6–8, 2026; location: Marriott San Antonio Airport.
• Finalist attendance is required and covered by NFB of Texas.
• Arrival by 4:00 PM on Nov 6; departure no earlier than noon on Nov 8.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet defined eligibility criteria to be considered for these scholarships. Requirements focus on legal blindness, Texas residency, and educational intent for the upcoming academic year. The committee may exercise discretion in limited circumstances to accommodate nonstandard student situations.

Eligibility: Applicants must be legally blind in both eyes, residents of Texas during the school year, and pursuing or planning to pursue full-time post-secondary study at a U.S. institution in the fall of the application year. At the committee's discretion, one scholarship may be awarded to a student attending school part-time while working full-time, and full-time attendance at trade or technical schools will be considered. See the Overview for the required finalist convention attendance.

• Legal blindness in both eyes is required.
• Must be living in Texas during the school year.
• Full-time post-secondary enrollment is expected, with limited exceptions.

Scholarships

In 2026 the National Federation of the Blind of Texas will award four scholarships funded by members, chapters, and public donations. Three scholarships carry the same award amount and one memorial scholarship carries a larger award. No additional restrictions apply to the listed scholarships unless noted by the committee.

Award Value: There will be one NFBTX Merit Scholarship ($2,000), one NFBTX Chapter Scholarship ($2,000), one NFBTX Members Scholarship ($2,000), and one Harley Fetterman Memorial Scholarship ($3,000).

• NFBTX Merit Scholarship — $2,000 (funded through public donations).
• NFBTX Chapter Scholarship — $2,000 (funded by chapters of NFB of Texas).
• NFBTX Members Scholarship — $2,000 (granted by NFB of Texas members).
• Harley Fetterman Memorial Scholarship — $3,000 (funded by members, public donations, and Harley's Wallet).

History of the Award: The Harley Fetterman Memorial Scholarship honors Harley Fetterman, a Federationist who passed away from cancer in 2016 at age eighteen. The scholarship recognizes his contributions to the blindness community and is supported by his family’s nonprofit, Harley's Wallet.

• Four scholarships will be awarded in 2026 with amounts ranging from $2,000 to $3,000.
• The Harley Fetterman scholarship is a memorial award with family and member support.
• No additional eligibility restrictions apply beyond those stated.

Criteria

Scholarship decisions are based primarily on academic achievement and community service. The selection committee evaluates applicants holistically, considering demonstrated skills and contributions to the community. Membership in the National Federation of the Blind of Texas is not required for eligibility.

Description: Applicants should demonstrate academic excellence and meaningful community involvement; letters of recommendation and the applicant essay help the committee assess these qualities. The committee seeks candidates who show both scholastic promise and civic engagement.

• Awards emphasize academic excellence and community service.
• Selection is holistic, using transcripts, essay, and recommendation(s).
• Membership in the NFB of Texas is not required.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete the online application and submit supporting documents to be considered. Electronic submissions are preferred, but printed applications are available on request. Contact the office by phone for a printed application if you cannot submit documents electronically.

Application Timeline: First complete and submit the online application; you will receive a copy upon submission. After that, gather and email the required supporting documents to the committee, and ask recommenders or other third parties to send their documents directly if needed.

1. a completed application form (answer all questions; use N/A where a question does not apply).
2. proof of legal blindness from a doctor or vocational rehabilitation counselor (legal blindness = 20/200 acuity in the better eye with best correction or a visual field of 20 degrees or less in the better eye).
3. a current transcript (electronic copies preferred).
4. an essay (up to 700 words) describing skills used in school and daily life and providing personal background to inform the committee.
5. one letter of recommendation from someone familiar with your academic abilities and how you manage as a blind person in academic or work settings (family letters are not acceptable).
6. proof of acceptance for incoming freshmen or graduate-program entrants (an acceptance letter from at least one college or university).

• Complete the online application first, then submit supporting documents.
• Essay limit: 700 words; transcripts and other documents are preferred electronically.
• Call (281) 968-7733 for a printed application if needed.

Submission of Application and Documents

After submitting the online application, send supporting documents via email to [email protected]. Documents required from other people (recommendations, proof of blindness, etc.) may be sent directly to the committee by those individuals. Include your name and the document type in each email subject line to help the committee organize submissions.

Submission: Use clear subject lines such as "John Doe Recommendation Letter" or "Jane Smith Proof of Blindness" and replace the example names with your own. Send materials to [email protected] and ensure each file or email identifies the applicant and document type.

• Submit supporting documents by email to [email protected] after completing the online form.
• Ask recommenders to send letters directly to the committee when possible.
• Use clear subject lines that include your name and the document type.