News and Knowledge

OAR is pleased to announce that 63 students received scholarships for 2022, bringing the scholarship total to $1,522,500 provided to 503 autistic students since 2007. This year, 783 students applied for one of three OAR scholarships, the Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship, the Schwallie Family Scholarship, and the Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color.  

All three scholarships provide one-time $3,000 awards to autistic students pursuing post-secondary education at a variety of different institutions. The Schwallie Family Scholarships are awarded to students attending two- and four-year colleges. “This year’s application pool was the best we have seen yet,” noted Cathy Schwallie Farmer, chair of the Schwallie Family Scholarships. “The students have had tough journeys dealing with their autism from both a social and academic perspective. They all persevered, ultimately getting accepted into top schools and programs, all following personal passions. The Schwallie Family is honored to continue to support these worthy neurodiverse scholarship student winners.” 

The Hussman Scholarships are awarded to students attending two-year colleges, vocational/ technical schools, job readiness programs, life skills programs, and other transition-related programs. “It is an honor to award this year’s Hussman scholarship winners,” said Lisa Hussman, president of the Lisa Higgins Hussman Foundation. “They are truly deserving, and I wish them much success.” 

The Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color supports students from under-represented racial and ethnic minority groups attending any type of postsecondary education, from life skills programs to four-year undergraduate universities. “Autistic students of color continue to be under-diagnosed and under-resourced,” commented Denise Yap, president of the Synchrony Foundation. “Synchrony and its employee resource group, the People with Disabilities Network, are proud to support the Organization for Autism Research, helping these exceptional students pursue their academic goals and shining a light on this well-deserving community.” 

Thanks to the generosity and partnership of ONEHOPE Wine, OAR awarded two ONEHOPE Awards of $5,000 each, one to a Schwallie Family Scholarship applicant and the other to a Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship applicant, whose stories most inspired the respective scholarship committees. 

Congratulations to this year’s 63 scholarship recipients! OAR extends its gratitude to the Lisa Higgins Hussman Foundation, the Schwallie Family Foundation, the Synchrony Foundation, and ONEHOPE Wine. These scholarships would not be possible without their generous support. 

2023 Scholarships 

The 2023 scholarship cycle will open in December. To be eligible for a scholarship, an applicant must have a confirmed autism diagnosis, be accepted for enrollment in the fall 2023 semester, and submit three short personal essays along with an application form and recommendation letter. Learn more about OAR’s scholarship program and how to apply.