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2023 Scholarship Opportunities

The Blanche Fierstein Award honoring excellence in the pursuit of a special education degree is presented to the 2017 Award Recipient at the AHRC Rose Ball.

Blanche Fierstein will be remembered as an uncompromising leader in the field of special education whose singular vision and ability to inspire others shaped special education curricula and created unprecedented opportunities for people with developmental disabilites.

Blanche was an educator, mother and tireless advocate. Her own daughter with special needs inspired her to become a special education teacher. Quickly rising through the NYC Department of Education, Blanche was appointed as Principal of the Queens Occupational Training Center. There she was at the forefront, creating practical curricula and quality standards in vocational training. Her groundbreaking work and tireless resolve helped shape vocational training across New York State.

Award: $5,000

Applications are due: April 23, 2023

To qualify, the candidate must be:

  • Enrolled in college/university in Nassau County pursuing an advanced degree in special education OR
  • An employee of AHRC Nassau who has been employed for a minimum of one (1) year and is pursuing an advanced degree in special education OR
  • An AHRC Nassau Lifetime Member pursuing an advanced degree in special education (applicant does not need to be attending school in Nassau County)

Download Blanche Fierstein Application

Please mail all required documents to:
AHRC Nassau/Blanche Fierstein Scholarship Award Committee
189 Wheatley Road, #3
Brookville, NY 11545
Questions regarding this application may be emailed to:
fiersteinaward@ahrc.org

The John Wendell Palmer Scholarship was established in 2017 by the family of John Wendell Palmer, a person with a developmental disability. The scholarship supports the educational aspirations of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) recognizing the lifetime of care and support they provide.

Award: $2,500

Applications are due:
May 13, 2023 (Fall Award)

  • Persons enrolled in college or university pursuing a Bachelor’s or advanced degree
  • Employees of both Citizens Options Unlimited and AHRC Nassau noting that priority will be given to the following:
    • Employees of Citizens Options Unlimited’s Helen Kaplan ICF with special consideration being granted specifically to employees of House C
    • Employees of AHRC Nassau’s Uniondale Home

Download John Wendell Palmer Application

Please mail all required documents to:
Nassau County AHRC Foundation, Inc.
John Wendell Palmer Scholarship Committee
189 Wheatley Road, #3
Brookville, NY 11545
Questions regarding this application may be emailed to
JWPScholarship@ahrc.org

Each year, The Arc New York presents scholarships to students pursuing degrees in special education, physical or occupational therapy, or a field related to intellectual or other developmental disabilities.

2023

2023 Marc N. Brandt Exceptional Leadership Award

NOMINATION DEADLINE: Friday, February 17, 2023

About the Award

The Arc New York Marc N. Brandt Exceptional Leadership Award offers Chapters the opportunity to recognize a mid- to upper-management staff member or emerging leader who has demonstrated exceptional leadership ability and commitment, and has had a positive effect on the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.


2022

The Deadline for all 2022 Scholarship submissions was Jan. 13, 2022

ARTHUR W. PENSE SCHOLARSHIP

For physical or occupational therapy degree program students.

This $3,000 scholarship is paid in two installments of $1,500 per semester. The funds must be claimed within a four-year period from the time the scholarship is awarded. One scholarship is presented annually.

JAMES F. REVILLE SCHOLARSHIP

For full-time college students in a program related to the intellectual and developmental disability field such as behavioral sciences, social work, nursing, healthcare administration and management, or psychology.

This $3,000 scholarship per recipient is paid in two installments of $1,500 per semester for any year the student is enrolled in college in a program related to the field of intellectual or other developmental disabilities. The funds must be claimed within a four-year period from the time the scholarship is awarded. Two scholarships are presented annually.

JONATHAN WEINGOLD SCHOLARSHIP

For The Arc New York Chapter employees.

This $3,000 scholarship per recipient is presented annually to full-time Chapter employees who wish to further their education with the intention of contributing to the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. This award is paid in two installments of $1,500 per semester. The funds must be claimed within a four-year period from the time the scholarship is awarded. Four scholarships are presented annually.

JOSEPH T. WEINGOLD SCHOLARSHIP 

For students enrolled in a New York State degree program, leading to a special education certification. 

This $3,000 scholarship is paid in two installments of $1,500 per semester. The funds must be claimed within a four-year period from the time the scholarship is awarded. Two scholarships are presented annually.