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MDA College Scholarship Program

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) College Scholarship program provides students living with neuromuscular disease with support as they pursue their academic dreams. As medical advances open new doors for this community, MDA is committed to supporting their path to success by making higher education more accessible.

The MDA College Scholarship program recognizes students who are making an impact in the neuromuscular community and demonstrate leadership qualities.

MDA grants merit-based college scholarships each year at up to $5,000 each. The application period opens early each calendar year, and applicants receive response notifications in early summer.

The 2025 application cycle is closed

More Information

Meet the MDA Scholars

In 2025, MDA’s College Scholarship program provided merit-based scholarships to incredibly deserving students who demonstrated leadership and commitment to the neuromuscular community.

What does it mean to be an MDA Scholar? Meet program recipients here!

Abby Dreyer

School: Eastern Connecticut State University

Major: Business Administration

Graduation Year: 2028

“Receiving the MDA College Scholarship means so much to me. Knowing that the MDA and the neuromuscular community are truly behind me every step (or, more accurately, roll) of the way is a very reassuring feeling.”

Blake Deakin

School: Arizona State University

Major: Media Arts and Sciences

Graduation Year: 2027

“Being recognized as a leader feels very rewarding. It signifies validation of my efforts and hopefully an opportunity to inspire and support others within the community.”

Brenton Braxton

School: University of Illinois

Major: Sports Management

Graduation Year: 2029

“To the donors who support MDA scholarships: Your generosity is life-changing. You're not just funding education; you're investing in dreams and futures. Thank you for believing in me and empowering the next generation of leaders. Your impact is deeply appreciated and makes a real difference.”

Connor Stager

School: University of Georgia

Major: Economics and Molecular Biology

Graduation Year: 2029

“My main goal in the future is to be on the forefront of genetic research. Research has been so impactful in my life and I want to continue the impact it can have.”

Diego Ramirez

School: University of Cincinnati

Major: Urban Planning

Graduation Year: 2029

“This scholarship allows me to continue studying Urban Planning so I can help make cities more accessible for wheelchair users. It supports both my education and my goal of living independently while working to create inclusive, accessible spaces for everyone in the community.”

Grace LoPiccolo

School: Saint Louis University

Major: Bioethics and Catholic Studies

Graduation Year: 2026

“The MDA community has equipped me with the tools and confidence to share my story with others”

Hassana Alnajjar

School: Washington State University

Major: Marketing and Management

Graduation Year: 2026

“Being recognized as a leader is deeply meaningful; it shows that my voice and actions can inspire others and create positive change.”

Jason Rice

School: Pennsylvania State University

Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Graduation Year: 2029

“The MDA community means a lot to me because it shows that no one has to go through their challenges alone. Seeing how people support each other really inspires me to be part of something bigger and make a difference.”

Jonathan Lengel

School: Fordham University

Major: Digital Technologies and Emerging Media and Music

Graduation Year: 2028

“I'm very grateful to be awarded the MDA College Scholarship. As a person with neuromuscular disease, living away at college comes with many additional expenses. The MDA Scholarship helps make it possible for me to experience independent living on campus. I've really enjoyed living and studying in NYC!”

Makayla Adams

School: University of Virginia

Major: Biomedical Engineering

Graduation Year: 2028

“Being recognized as a leader by the MDA scholarship means the world to me, especially in a society where disabled voices are too often overlooked. It’s an empowering reminder that our leadership is vital and that our achievements deserve visibility and celebration.”

Maxey Mapp

School: University of North Carolina

Major: Exercise and Sports Science

Graduation Year: 2027

“Thank you for your gracious donations to help support me through my academic career. I won't take this opportunity lightly and will make great use of it.”

Miles Sylvester

School: Dickinson College

Major: International Business Management

Graduation Year: 2026

“I am honored to receive the MDA Scholarship, which recognizes my leadership and encourages me to continue making an impact as someone differently-abled. It motivates me to advocate for inclusion in the neuromuscular community and in the diverse communities I encounter, promoting greater understanding and acceptance.”

Olivia Calvert

School: Washington College

Major: Environmental Studies and Anthropology

Graduation Year: 2027

“Receiving this scholarship means that I can continue to fulfill my dreams of being a first generation student. It also allows me to continue going to my dream college, and pursuing a degree in a field that I have been passionate about my whole life.”

Selim Argun

School: Emmanuel College

Major: Biology

Graduation Year: 2029

“Being part of the MDA community reminds me that I’m not alone. It means belonging to a network of people who understand the challenges, celebrate the wins, and share a vision for a more inclusive, empowered future where patients are collaborators, not spectators.”

Sydney Bryant

School: Lewis University

Major: Air traffic Control Management

Graduation Year: 2027

“To be recognized as a leader means a lot to me. It lets me know I can break down barriers. People with disabilities are so often overlooked or written off. This affirms that I can be a leader too.”

Xavier Taggart

School: University of Cincinnati

Major: Game Design

Graduation Year: 2029

“To me, leadership is about action and impact. Being recognized as a leader means I have the opportunity to stand up for others and be a voice when they need support. It’s about helping others discover their own strengths and guiding them so they can be successful.”

Eligibility

Students living with a neuromuscular disease who are attending, or applying to attend, a qualified educational institution as an undergraduate, are eligible to apply.

All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Diagnosed by a physician as having a neuromuscular disease supported by MDA. Please reach out to the MDA Resource Center at ResourceCenter@mdausa.org or 800-572-1717 if you are unsure if you have a qualifying diagnosis.
  • US Citizen or a legal and permanent resident of the US
  • Will be attending an accredited educational institution that has a financial aid office
  • Will be a full-time, undergraduate student during the scholarship award year

All applicants must be a member of MDA to be considered in the MDA College Scholarship program. By completing the application, applicants will automatically join if they are not a member already. There is no fee associated with MDA membership. For more information, please visit mda.org/join-mda.

Review the FAQ for more information.

MDA College Scholarship Sponsors

  • Numotion Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When are the important deadlines?

    The MDA College Scholarship program application period and deadlines are announced annually. Generally the application opens in January or February and closes in March. Award decisions are generally shared with applicants by the end of June, and public announcement of awardees is typically in August. Check this program webpage for updates.

  • What costs does an MDA Scholarship assist with?

    MDA College Scholarships contribute towards offsetting the student’s costs of attendance. Of note: Funds will be paid directly to the school. Scholarship funds used toward tuition, fees, and other necessary educational expenses may be considered to not constitute income for tax purposes. Any portion of a scholarship not used to pay for these qualified items may be considered income. Please consult your school’s Financial Aid office, IRS or SSDI Office, tax professional, etc. for guidance on potential tax and disability benefit implications.

  • How and when will I know if I am selected to receive a scholarship?

    All applicants will be notified via email about award decisions by the end of June. The public announcement will be made in mid-August.

  • I was notified I was awarded a scholarship from MDA.

    Congratulations! MDA will email you in late June with award paperwork to complete, following the review process. Please check your email spam/junk folder for possible notifications if you have not received the award paperwork notice. The deadline to accept a scholarship award is listed in the award paperwork, typically 2-3 weeks after the award letter is sent. Recipients are asked to not announce anything publicly until MDA’s announcement goes live in mid-August.

  • How do I receive my scholarship funds?

    An awarded scholarship is paid directly to the financial aid office of your school – students are not involved in the coordination or transfer of funds.

  • Can my scholarship funds be sent directly to me?

    MDA College Scholarship Program funds cannot be sent directly to scholarship recipients. All scholarship funds must be sent to the student’s institution where the Financial Aid office can release funds into student accounts.

  • I may be in need of a deferral – how do I request one?

    A deferral is a request to postpone claiming scholarship funds. Deferral paperwork must be completed by September 1. Deferral is on a case-by-case basis and will need to be approved by the scholarship committee. The maximum time allotted to defer is one school year.

  • Do I have to complete a FAFSA to apply for the MDA Scholarship?

    You do not need to complete a FAFSA application for MDA Scholarship consideration – no income or financial need is considered for the MDA College Scholarship. However, many colleges base their financial aid decisions on FAFSA information, so it is recommended to talk to your college or institution to discuss financial aid criteria.

  • What financial information is required on the application?

    MDA does not require financial information for the application to be considered. Annual household income is requested as part of the demographics section of the application to help MDA better understand the background characteristics of applicants, but this information is not shared with reviewers and will not be considered when assessing applications.

  • What constitutes a complete application?

    A complete application means that ALL information for each field/question is completed and submitted. This includes all sections of the application, as well as any required documents, uploads, referrals, etc., as applicable. Starting the application early to ensure sufficient time for completion is encouraged.

  • How do I navigate the online application?

    MDA utilizes WizeHive as our electronic scholarship management platform. The MDA application must be completed through this system, which can be accessed via the “Apply Now” buttons on this page. Once in WizeHive, you will create a system username/password, and you will have the opportunity to complete an MDA College Scholarship program application by submitting demographic information, and responding to a few short essay-style questions.

  • How do I know my application has been received?

    You will receive an email from the WizeHive platform confirming your MDA College Scholarship program application has been received. Please check your email spam/junk folder for any possible WizeHive system notifications.

  • If I am not awarded the MDA Scholarship this year, can I apply again?

    Yes! Students are encouraged to reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.

  • I am a donor who would like to set up a scholarship fund with MDA. Is that possible?

    Thank you for your interest in supporting MDA’s mission and this important program! Please contact David Sandler at dsandler@mdausa.org for more information.

  • I am a company or corporate partner who would like to support the scholarship fund with MDA, is that possible?

    Thank you for your interest in supporting MDA’s mission and this important program! Please contact Crystal Brown at cbrown@mdausa.org for more information.

For any additional questions, please reach out to MDA at ResourceCenter@mdausa.org.