The Institute’s Higher Education Assistance Program (HEAP) has a variety of scholarships that are awarded each year based on resources available. Scholarships are awarded to students with disabilities who are transitioning into higher education who meet the application and performance criteria. Below are the following scholarship options: HEAP Scholar Award and the Academic Assistance (tutoring) Scholar Awards.

The DREAM Institute HEAP Scholar Award Scholarship

The DREAM Institute has established a scholar award for students with physical and/or learning disabilities who are pursuing a higher education degree at a state college or university (see eligibility below). The scholarship program can provide funds for tuition, fees, books, and academic (tutoring) assistance for full time students. Scholarship amounts are based on the student’s financial need and is intended to fill the gap where funding is lacking per semester. While the scholarship program is awarded for two or four year programs, eligibility is reviewed annually based on performance at the discretion of the scholarship committee. If selected as a DREAM Institute Scholar, the scholar is eligible to receive tutoring (academic) assistance services and the funding of the service is at the discretion of the scholarship committee. (Note: scholarships are for tuition, fees, books, and/or additional funding are at the discretion of the HEAP Scholarship Selection Committee)

In addition, the recipient will participate in an orientation workshop designed to equip the student with the basics on what they will need to know and do as they begin their academic career in higher education. Some of the orientation curriculum will include: note taking and study skills, goal attainment, institute expectations, career and personality assessments, disclosing his/her disability, and how to use techniques in regard to transition. The DREAM Institute will match an academic mentor(s) with the recipient during their academic career that will provide educational and emotional support to the student, during their higher education experience. After the recipient has declared his/her major, the recipient will be matched with a professional mentor who has experience in the industry that the recipient is studying. The professional mentor(s) will play a vital role in career placement for the graduating recipient along with emotional support after graduation.

The DREAM Institute Scholarship Application Submission for 2009 is now closed as the deadline for submission was May 1, 2009.

The next call for applications will occur next year in the early spring and if you have any questions, please email dream@dreaminstitute.org.

PLEASE NOTE: Current funding is for Oklahoma students to attend an in-state institution. Part of the stratgeic plan is to expand to other states in the near future, please keep checking the website to see our growth! The DREAM Institute has been recognized as exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501 (c ) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code and eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. All contributions are tax deductible under non-profit tax guidelines.

Funds and Planned Giving Services are managed by the Tulsa Community Foundation.

If you would like to catch the dream and help the Institute fund a scholarship, please visit our donor pages at Catch the DREAMCatch the DREAM.

All selections and decisions made by the Higher Education Assistance Program Selection Committee are final. Scholarship criteria and amounts may be subject to change without notice according to available funds and decisions of the Higher Education Assistance Program Selection Committee.

The DREAM Institute says THANK YOU to our supporters, donors, volunteers and friends of the Institute for making this organization possible. With your continued support, we are able to help students with disabilities overcome and utilize their full potential!!!