Grants and Funding Opportunities

Is private and public funding available for individuals and institutions in support of postsecondary education opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism?

A number of sources provide funding on a limited or unlimited basis to individuals and institutions to support access and participation of individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism in postsecondary education.  A few are listed below.  This is not an exhaustive list.   

O’Neill Tabani Enrichment Fund
The mission of the O’Neill Tabani Enrichment Fund (formerly the Joshua O'Neill and Zeshan Tabani Enrichment Fund) is to offer financial assistance to young adults (18 and older) with Down syndrome, who are continuing to enrich their lives by taking classes or enrolling in postsecondary educational programs.

Ruby’s Rainbow
The goal of Ruby’s Rainbow is to grant scholarships to adults with Down syndrome seeking postsecondary education, enrichment or vocational classes who feel higher education is the right choice for them. The mission is to create awareness of the capabilities of individuals with Down syndrome and help them achieve their dreams of higher education. Ruby’s Rainbow plans to keep track of scholarship recipients and to inspire others to achieve their dreams.

Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities
The Model Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) will provides grants to institutions of higher education or consortia of institutions of higher education to enable them to create or expand high quality, inclusive model comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities.