Sertoma Scholarship for Students Who Are Hard of Hearing or Deaf Opening Soon
Offered by Sertoma Inc.
About This Scholarship
Sertoma, the century-old service organization focused on hearing health, awards $1,000 scholarships each year to students with clinically significant bilateral hearing loss who are pursuing four-year college degrees. The program is one of the most established hearing-loss scholarships in the country and welcomes students in any major.
Eligibility centers on documented hearing loss of at least 40dB in both ears, shown on an audiogram by SRT and PTA scores. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with a minimum 3.2 unweighted GPA who are enrolled — or enrolling — full-time in a bachelor's program at a U.S. college or university. High school seniors and current undergraduates may both apply, and past recipients can reapply in later years.
The application runs on a fixed annual calendar, opening November 1 and closing March 31, with awards applied to the following academic year. Two letters of recommendation round out the application.
Eligibility
- Minimum 40dB bilateral hearing loss, evidenced on audiogram by SRT and PTA scores
- U.S. citizen pursuing a bachelor's degree full-time at a U.S. college or university
- Minimum 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 unweighted scale
- High school seniors through current undergraduates may apply
- Must not be graduating before August 31, 2027 (funds apply to Fall 2027, Spring 2028, or Summer 2028)
How To Apply
- Apply through Sertoma's online scholarship portal between November 1 and March 31
- Upload your audiogram, transcript, and two letters of recommendation along with the application
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the hearing loss need to be in both ears?
Yes. Sertoma requires a minimum 40dB bilateral hearing loss documented on an audiogram, so single-sided hearing loss does not qualify.
Can current college students apply, or only high school seniors?
Both. High school seniors and students already enrolled in four-year bachelor's programs are eligible, as long as they will still be enrolled in the 2027-28 academic year.