NEXT for AUTISM FELLOWS scholarship program, in partnership with Scholarship America, looks to provide financial support for students as well as encourage professionals working with autistic and neurodivergent adults.
May 15, 2023 (New York, NY)–NEXT for AUTISM (NEXT), the leading nonprofit dedicated to transforming the national landscape of services for people with autism by strategically designing, launching, and supporting innovative initiatives, is excited to announce the launch of its new scholarship program, NEXT for AUTISM FELLOWS. NEXT for AUTISM FELLOWS is a national scholarship program for students and professionals interested in working with autistic and neurodivergent adults.
The NEXT for AUTISM FELLOWS scholarship program is the first of its kind, to provide a combination of tuition assistance and paid, hands-on work experience, to students interested in pursuing the important work of supporting autistic and neurodivergent adults,” shared Michelle O’Connor-Teklinski, Chief Program Officer, NEXT for AUTISM. “The added benefit of this scholarship program will be the infusion of trained professionals in the field, to help offset the current shortage of Direct Support Professionals.”
There are more than 5.4 million autistic adults in the U.S. Right now, there are more autistic adults who need services than there are qualified DSPs to support them. In fact, more than 482,000 adults with autism and intellectual disabilities are waitlisted for services that they need and deserve. As the need for DSPs and neurodivergent professionals continues to increase, it’s anticipated that there will be seven million vacant DSP job openings by 2029. Now is the time to help pave the way for a positive future—for work as a DSP and to ensure meaningful support and mentorship for an autistic adult.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
Rising freshman or sophomore undergraduate students in a 2- or 4-year public college program, looking for financial support
Current health and human service professionals going back to earn a degree at a 2- or 4-year public college program, looking for financial support
APPLY TODAY
NEXT for AUTISM will be providing 10-20 FELLOWS scholarships annually (subject to change). It is a short application window, so act fast.
MAY 15: Application opens
JUNE 12: Application closes at 3 PM CST
AUGUST: Awards announced
CLICK HERE for APPLICATION (learnmore.scholarsapply.org/next-for-autism/)
CLICK HERE to learn more about NEXT for AUTISM FELLOWS
NEXT for AUTISM is partnering with Scholarship America to host and implement the NEXT for AUTISM FELLOWS scholarship.
ABOUT SCHOLARSHIP AMERICA
Scholarship America is a national education service organization that mobilizes support for students getting into and graduating from college. Scholarship America has distributed more than $2.5 billion in scholarship assistance to more than 1.8 million students over the last 50 years. Scholarship America’s programs, which include Dollars for Scholars®, help fund both entry-level and multi-year scholarships, as well as emergency financial grants. More information is available at www.scholarshipamerica.org.
ABOUT NEXT FOR AUTISM
NEXT for AUTISM is the leading nonprofit dedicated to transforming the national landscape of services for people with autism by strategically designing, launching, and supporting innovative initiatives.
In 2023, the organization’s 20th anniversary, NEXT remains steadfast in its quest to change the paradigm for how individuals with autism thrive throughout their adult lives. This is done by leveraging a broad range of autistic and neurotypical stakeholders and partnering with national organizations, regional agencies, and local entities to enhance services and maximize resources. Learn more at NEXTforAUTISM.org
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