Graeme Clark, a professor at the University of Melbourne, Australia, led his research team to the invention of the bionic ear implant in 1982. Since then, thousands of hearing-disabled people have been able to use the implants and improve their quality of life. The scholarship, which is sponsored by hearing solutions company Cochlear, is open to candidates around the world who have received its Nuchleus cochlear implant. Available to high school seniors, mature students returning to school, and students currently attending undergraduate or graduate institutions, the scholarship is renewable for up to four years.
Cochlear Americas
The Graeme Clark Scholarship
13059 E. Peakview Ave.
Centennial, CO 80111
cochlearamericas.com
Hearing Bridges is a Tennessee-based organization that aims to unite the hearing, hard of hearing and deaf communities through knowledge and support. This $1,000 scholarship was funded in honor of its administrative assistant and liaison, Linda Cowden, and is intended for residents of the 16 counties that Hearing Bridges serves. Candidates must be either deaf or hard of hearing and accepted into a post-high school institution of education. A hearing person who intends to pursue a career involving the deaf or hard of hearing community is also eligible.
Linda Cowden Memorial Scholarship
Hearing Bridges
415 Fourth Avenue S., Suite A
Nashville, TN 37201
hearingbridges.org
The Hearing Bridges organization also sponsors the Minnie Pearl Scholarship Program, named after Country Hall of Famer Minnie Pearl. The award is renewable for four years and can reach a maximum of $2,500 per year. Applicants must be high school seniors, citizens of the United States, in a mainstreamed educational environment, pursuing a full-time degree at an institution of learning and have significant hearing loss.
Minnie Pearl Scholarship Program
Hearing Bridges
415 Fourth Avenue S., Suite A
Nashville, TN 37201
hearingbridges.org
The Sertoma Club has more than 300 facilities for the deaf, hard of hearing, and communication-impaired in the United States and Canada. The group, which was founded in 1912, offers a $1,000 scholarship eligible for any school term, including summer, to those who have hearing loss in both ears. Students must be U.S. citizens and enrolled in a full-time bachelor's degree program with a minimum unweighted 3.2 GPA.
Sertoma Headquarters
Hard of Hearing or Deaf Scholarship Program
1912 E. Meyer Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64132
sertoma.org