Sampsons Legacy Foundation (SLF)

For Applicants:

Please email/submit the following to info@empowerabilityconsulting.com:

Available Scholarships:

Sampsons Legacy Foundation Outstanding Scholar:

• This scholarship is for students who have an identified disability. 
• Demonstrates leadership at school and/or in the community.
• Has a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 grading scale or equivalent.
• Require financial assistance to attend college.
• Enrollment status must be full-time or half-time.
• This $1,000 award is given to one recipient per semester.

Sampsons Legacy Foundation Academic Excellence:

• This scholarship is for students who have an identified disability. 
• Demonstrates leadership at school and/or in the community.
• Has a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 grading scale or equivalent.
• Require financial assistance to attend college.
• Enrollment status must be full-time or half-time.
• This $500 award is given to one recipient per semester. 

 Sampsons Legacy Foundation Science Service Dog Scholarship:

• This scholarship is for STEM students and researchers who have an identified disability who are service dog handlers. 
• Has a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 grading scale or equivalent.
• This $500 award is given to one recipient who is a STEM student who is a service dog handler. 

• SLF Scholarship Application Form (see below).

• A 350-500 word Statement of Purpose which indicates your reasons for applying, interests and/or involvement(s), special interests, advocacy work (if any) and future goals. You do NOT need to disclose the nature and extent of your disability condition(s) to us unless you would like to. However, we are committed to providing scholarships for individuals with identified disabling conditions, thus, in your Statement of Purpose we ask that you specify how you have overcome obstacles related to your disabling condition, or how your condition has impacted your journey.

• BIO: In a separate document, please provide a headshot photo of you with a 2-5 paragraph biography. Your bio DOES NOT need to include information about your disability unless you would like to do so. 

• NOTE: This photo and biography will be published on our website, social media pages, and newsletter if you are chosen as an award recipient. If you wish to remain anonymous, please indicate so at the top of your biography document. For those who wish to remain anonymous, no photo or name will be used; however, we would still like a biography provided. You can remove all identifiers from your biography submission.

• Please submit your Scholarship Application Form, Statement of Purpose, and Biography/Headshot Document together at the same time. Do not forget to indicate your first/last name and email address on each document.

• Your Recommender does not need to submit their Letter of Recommendation at the same time that you submit the rest of your application materials.

***APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2025 SCHOLARSHIPS ARE DUE SEPTEMBER 1st at 11:59pm EST.***

For Recommenders:

• Please submit a 1-2 page Letter of Recommendation directly to the following email: info@empowerabilityconsulting.com. Letters must be sent through a professional/non-personal email address (.edu, .org, and .gov are all acceptable). If you are a governmental employee who is not permitted to use your work/professional email for such purposes, please reach out to us in advance at info@empowerabilityconsulting.com.)

• Do not forget to indicate your applicant's first/last name and email address on your letter.

• A recommendation from a faculty or staff member at the applicants school or a member of the community that has worked with them/you in a supervisory role.  

• The letter of recommendation should be original and should not be duplicates of college recommendation letters.    

• Applicants are not permitted to include relatives as references.

Question: Do I need to list my disability/disabilities on my application or in my Statement of Purpose?

Answer: Yes! We are committed to providing scholarships for individuals with an identified disability, thus, in your Statement of Purpose we ask that you specify how you have overcome obstacles related to your disabling condition, or how your condition has impacted your journey.
 

Question: Do I need to list my disability/disabilities on my application or in my Statement of Purpose?

Answer: No! You do NOT need to disclose the nature and extent of your disability condition(s) to us unless you would like to. However, we are committed to providing scholarships for individuals with disabling conditions, thus, in your Statement of Purpose we ask that you specify how you have overcome obstacles related to your disabling condition, or how your condition has impacted your journey.

Question: Can I apply if I have been a previous recipient of a Sampsons Legacy Foundation scholarship?

Answer: Yes! Previous recipients are eligible to apply.
 

Question: Do I need to be in graduate school to apply?

Answer: No! Anyone at any level of education may apply for our scholarships and financial aid opportunities. Anyone seeking an associate or bachelor's degree in the U.S. as a parttime or full-time student is eligible.

Question: Do I need to be at a particular university/college/institution to apply?

Answer: No! We accept applications from all individuals regardless of academic affiliation.

Question: Are students who have stipends eligible to apply? 

Answer: Yes! Anyone may apply for our scholarships and financial aid opportunities regardless of current or previous stipend status.

Question: Do the funds have to go towards tuition costs?

Answer: No! We do not require that funds go towards any specific cost, like tuition. Award recipients may use funds for any expense they deem important.

Question: Do I need to provide SLF with receipts for purchases made with my scholarship and/or financial aid awards? 

Answer: No! We value the privacy of those who apply; therefore, we do not monitor how the recipient decides to use their funds. 

Question: Can I apply for multiple scholarships in the same semester? 

Answer: Yes! You may apply for however many you like. If you wish to apply for multiple SLF scholarships within the same semester, you must complete a different application packet for each scholarship. This means that you will need to submit a different Scholarship Application Form and Statement of Purpose for each scholarship.

Question: If I apply for more than one scholarship within the same semester, can I use the same reference letter for both scholarships?

Answer: Yes! You may. Your Recommender also does not need to submit their Letter of Recommendation twice. Please be sure that your Recommender indicates your first and last as well as your email address on their letter.

Question: Is there a GPA cutoff for those applying?

Answer: Yes. Applicants must have a 2.5 GPA or higher and demonstrate financial need. 

Question: Does my Recommender need to be my academic and/or research advisor?

Answer: No. You may choose any academic and/or professional reference to be your Recommender.

Question: Can I apply for scholarships if I am not a US citizen and am studying and/or working inside and/or outside of the US?

Answer: No. Currently SLF scholarships are designated for US students studying in the US and have a US-based financial institution.