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 the MU Student Financial Aid office, which administers the fund.

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 must 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.

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.

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

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

Applications are accepted from current students in spring for the following academic year.

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be enrolled at the University of Missouri
• Be registered with the Disability Center
• Be receiving academic accommodations
• Have a documented physical, sensory or health related disability
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
• Not be on academic probation

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.

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

The Meek 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 a Meek Scholarship.

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 to:

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