MU students with disabilities are eligible for several scholarships through the MU Disability Center

Scholarships

Matt Buckley Memorial Scholarship

The Matt Buckley Memorial Scholarship awards around $5,000 annually to one student with a disability (undergraduate or graduate) who is enrolled full time at the University of Missouri. This scholarship was made possible by a gift from the Buckley family.

Deadline: March 14, 2025

Application Process

Applications are accepted from currently enrolled students in spring for the following academic year. A selection committee convened by the Disability Center provides recommendations for awards to Student Financial Aid, which administers the fund.

Eligibility

To qualify, applicants must:

  • Be currently enrolled full-time at the University of Missouri.
  • Have an accommodation plan in place with the Disability Center.
  • Have a documented physical disability affecting mobility, sensory disability or learning disability.
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and not be on academic or disciplinary probation.
  • Be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents.

    The scholarship, once awarded, will be renewed annually to that recipient as long as a minimum 2.5 GPA is maintained, with full-time enrollment, until the recipient’s degree is conferred.

    • About Matt Buckley

    Buckley was born in 1969 and soon thereafter was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Wright State University in 1995, Buckley attended the graduate program in rehabilitation counseling at Mizzou, where he earned his master’s degree in education in 2004.

    Buckley worked as an access advisor in the Disability Center until his death in April 2017. He was passionate in encouraging students to persevere in achieving their educational goals, despite difficulties or setbacks they encountered due to their disabilities. His determination and perseverance was an inspiration to all who knew him, but especially to the students he worked with at Mizzou.

    Matt Buckley Memorial Scholarship Application

    Missouri Student Unions/US Bank Students with Disabilities Scholarship

    The Missouri Student Unions/US Bank Scholarship Fund was established in 2011 with the opening of a US Bank branch in the MU Student Center.

    Deadline: March 14, 2025

    Application Process

  • Complete the scholarship application.
  • Submit a letter of application to the scholarship selection committee:
    • Discuss the student’s accomplishments and involvement at MU. Include information regarding academic achievements, employment, and volunteer work and student organizations.
    • Discuss the student’s involvement with the Disability Center.
    • Explain how the scholarship would benefit the student in their educational pursuits.
    • Describe how the student smodel leadership characteristics to other MU students with disabilities.
    • Provide supplemental information, such as: Current résumé. Letters of recommendation.

    • Eligibility

    To qualify, applicants must:

  • Be enrolled at the University of Missouri.
  • Be registered with the Disability Center.
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  • Not be on academic probation.

    • Missouri Student Unions/US Bank Scholarship Application

    Frank Hodges Jr. Physical Disability Scholarship Fund for Incoming Students

    Established in 2015, this fund provides a scholarship to incoming students (transfer, freshmen, etc.) who register with the MU Disability Center. The Disability Center provides recommendations for awards to the MU Student Financial Aid Office, which administers the fund.

    This fund has been made possible through a gift from the estate of Jessie Hodges Benton, in honor of her brother, Frank Hodges, Jr. Frank, who was totally deaf, graduated from the University of Missouri in 1923 with a degree in engineering. The fund has been established to provide scholarships to students with physical disabilities (mobility, vision, hearing, health-related).

    Deadline: July 11, 2025

    Application Process

    The Frank Hodges Jr. Physical Disability Scholarship award will vary annually but will range from $500 to $5,000. Students will be notified prior to the start of fall semester if they have been awarded the Frank Hodges Jr. Physical Disability Scholarship for Incoming Students.

    Eligibility

    To qualify, applicants must:

  • Apply and be accepted to the University of Missouri
  • Have a documented physical, sensory or health related disability
  • Have an appointment schedule with the Disability Center by July 11, 2025 or have established accommodations with the office already
  • Be enrolled as a full-time student at the University of Missouri during the fall semester; a schedule of courses must be submitted with application
  • Have a high school cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher; official high school or college transcript must be provided
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

    • Frank Hodges Jr. Physical Disability Scholarship Application

    Meek Scholarship

    Started in 2013, this fund provides a scholarship to incoming freshmen who have established an accommodation plan with the MU Disability Center.

    Deadline: July 11, 2025

    Application Process

    The Meek Scholarship award will vary annually but will range from $500 to $5,000. Students will be notified prior to the start of the fall semester if they have been awarded Meek Scholarships.

    Eligibility

    To qualify, applicants must:

  • Apply and be accepted to the University of Missouri the first semester following high school graduation.
  • Have an appointment scheduled with the Disability Center by July 11, 2025 or have established accommodations with the office already.
  • Be enrolled as a full-time student at the University of Missouri during the fall semester; a schedule of courses must be provided.
  • Have a high school cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher; official high school transcript must be provided.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

    • Submit All Documents

    MU Disability Center
    S5 Memorial Union
    Columbia, MO 65211
    573-882-4696; 573-884-5002 (fax)
    mudcscholarships@missouri.edu

    Frank Hodges Jr. Physical Disability Scholarship Application

    Questions?

    Find more information about grants, loans and scholarships on the website of the MU Office of Student Financial Aid.