2026 Social Security Disability Advocacy Scholarship

Congratulations to our 2025 scholarship recipient, Melanie Timmins, find out more about our previous winners here!

At Schaffer & Associates, we are committed to advocating for individuals who cannot work due to illness or injury. The 2026 Social Security Disability Advocacy Scholarship was created to recognize students dedicated to improving the Social Security Disability (SSD) system through innovative and ethical solutions. This scholarship encourages students to explore ways to enhance accessibility, efficiency, and fairness for those who rely on SSD benefits.

Through a detailed essay, applicants will examine real-world challenges faced by SSD beneficiaries and propose actionable strategies to strengthen the system. The winning student will receive $1,000 to support their educational journey and continue their work in social justice advocacy. This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering a new generation of advocates for the disabled community.

We are excited to continue providing this scholarship as an opportunity for students to share their ideas, make an impact, and contribute to meaningful policy reform in the Social Security Disability system.

Application Deadline: August 31, 2026

Award Amount: $1,000

Eligibility

• The scholarship is open to current high school seniors, vocational students, college students, and graduate students who are legal residents of the United States residing in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a vocational program or a two- to four-year post-secondary institution for the 2026 Fall Semester.
• Employees of Schaffer & Associates, their immediate family members (parents, children, siblings, spouses), and individuals living in the same household are not eligible.
• Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be in good academic standing. Preference will be given to students from or attending secondary school in the state.

Application Requirements

To apply, candidates must:

• Complete the form below with all required information
• Submit a 750–1,000 word essay responding to the prompt: Examine the role of Social Security Disability benefits in supporting individuals unable to work due to illness or injury. Describe how you would contribute to improving the SSD system, ensuring it is more accessible, efficient, and equitable for all beneficiaries.
  • All essays will be checked for AI writing; submissions containing AI-generated content will be disqualified.
• Submit a professional résumé outlining academic and professional experience
• Submit a transcript from the current school. First-year college students, graduate students, or transfer students may submit an unofficial transcript from their current school along with the most recent official transcript from a prior school. High school seniors must submit proof of college or university acceptance.

The recipient of the 2026 Social Security Disability Advocacy Scholarship will be chosen during the month following the scholarship deadline of August 31, 2026. 

For all scholarship-related inquiries, please use this contact form. We are unable to answer scholarship questions by phone, email, or through any other contact forms listed on this website.