Hard of Hearing or Deaf Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Sertoma

Description

Sertoma’s Scholarship for the Hard of Hearing or Deaf supports students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing as they pursue four‑year college degrees. Since its launch in 1994, it has been the program’s primary scholarship offering for this population. The award targets students at the point of high‑school graduation or currently enrolled undergraduates planning to attend a U.S. college or university full time. Applicants should consult Sertoma for application materials and instructions.

Key takeaways
- Scholarship specifically for deaf and hard-of-hearing students pursuing bachelor’s degrees.
- Intended for high‑school seniors and undergraduates.
- Established in 1994 and administered by Sertoma.
- Check Sertoma for official application materials.

Eligibility

The scholarship is limited to U.S. citizens who are either graduating high‑school seniors or enrolled undergraduates pursuing a bachelor’s degree full time at a college or university in the United States. Programs that do not qualify include graduate degrees, associate degrees, community college enrollments, and vocational programs. Applicants must meet both the hearing and academic requirements described under Qualifications.

Key takeaways
- Applicant must be a United States citizen.
- Applicant must be a high‑school senior or an undergraduate pursuing a four‑year degree full time.
- Associate, community college, vocational, and graduate programs are not eligible.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet objective hearing and academic standards to qualify.

**Hearing‑loss documentation**
Applicants must have clinically significant bilateral hearing loss of at least 40 dB. This must be documented on an audiogram and supported by SRT (speech reception threshold) and PTA (pure-tone average) scores.

**GPA requirement**
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 unweighted scale is required. How cumulative GPA is calculated depends on applicant status:
- High‑school senior: cumulative GPA includes grades 9–11 plus the first semester of grade 12.
- College freshman: cumulative GPA includes all of high school plus the first semester of college.
- College sophomore or higher: cumulative GPA includes all completed college‑level semesters.

Key takeaways
- Minimum bilateral hearing loss: 40 dB, verified by audiogram with SRT & PTA.
- Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.2 (4.0 unweighted).
- GPA calculation rules differ for high‑school seniors, first‑year college students, and sophomores or higher.

Application Timeline

Applications open November 1 and remain open until the program’s March deadline. Exact deadline dates and submission requirements can change from year to year, so applicants should verify the current year’s schedule on the Sertoma website. Plan ahead to obtain an up‑to‑date audiogram and official transcripts before submitting the application.

Key takeaways
- Application window begins November 1.
- Application period closes at a March deadline (verify the specific date annually).
- Prepare audiogram and transcript documentation in advance.

Award Value

The provided source does not specify the scholarship award amount. Award size and the number of recipients may vary by year. Prospective applicants should consult Sertoma’s official scholarship page or contact Sertoma directly for current award amounts and distribution details.

Key takeaways
- Award amount is not specified in the source material.
- Amounts and recipient counts may vary year to year.
- Verify current award value on Sertoma’s official site.

History of the Award

Sertoma established this scholarship in 1994 to support deaf and hard‑of‑hearing students pursuing four‑year college degrees. Since its inception the program has served as a primary scholarship resource for this student population. For historical details beyond the founding year, applicants and researchers should refer to Sertoma’s organizational history or contact Sertoma for archival information.

Key takeaways
- Founded in 1994.
- Designed to support deaf and hard‑of‑hearing students seeking bachelor’s degrees.
- Further historical details available from Sertoma.