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SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS

Craig H. Neilsen Foundation Scholarship

The Craig H. Neilsen Foundation (CHNF) Scholarship application process for 2026-2027 is open. 

The Neilsen Scholarship provides scholarships to create and maintain opportunities for students with spinal cord injury to pursue higher education. To reduce socioeconomic barriers to success, these scholarships cover tuition and fees for undergraduate or graduate studies and include supplemental financial support. Eligible prospective and current University of Arizona students are welcome to apply for the Neilsen Scholarship.

The Neilsen Scholarship Program specifically defines eligible types of spinal cord injuries to only individuals with neurological and functional impairment due to traumatic SCI, degenerative disease primary to the spinal cord (i.e., transverse myelitis) or damage to the spinal cord due to tumors and surgery.  Spinal cord injuries such as spinal dysfunction, paralysis, or pain syndromes caused by other disorders (e.g., Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, Chiari Malformation, primary orthopedic disorders, and peripheral nerve injury) are not eligible for this scholarship opportunity.

Scholarship recipients could receive:

  • 100% tuition coverage (in-state students) or 125% of in-state tuition cost coverage (out-of-state students). Out of state students are responsible for remaining tuition balance.
  • Up to $6K annually for basic costs (e.g. books, technology, transportation)
  • Up to $10K annually for housing support (on or off-campus)
  • Up to $15K annually for personal care assistant support

The total amount awarded varies by student.

Application Deadline:  March 6, 2026 at 5:00PM MST
Please direct any questions related to the application or scholarship to Spencer Lambert at spencerlambert@arizona.edu
 

Apply for the Neilsen Scholarship

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

  • Check out the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for additional scholarship opportunities and information.
  • University of Arizona Adaptive Athletics actively recruits top athletes from around the U.S. and abroad. To recruit and retain our most promising student athletes, we must be able to offer scholarships that are competitive compared to other universities.