Scholarship Rules & Eligibility
Please review the following rules and eligibility criteria carefully before applying:
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Residency & Service Area: Must reside and receive services in one of the following counties:
- North Carolina: Mecklenburg, Union, Gaston, Cabarrus, Iredell, Lincoln, Alexander, Catawba, Cleveland, Rowan, Stanly, Durham, Orange, Wake, Chatham, Buncombe, Henderson, Davie, Guilford, Forsyth, Yadkin
- South Carolina: York, Lancaster, Chester, Chesterfield
- Financial Need: Demonstrated by providing most recent tax return (IRS Form 1040).
- Diagnosis: Must provide child’s diagnosis from a doctor or psychologist.
Scholarship Rules
One Therapy Center Policy: Each recipient may designate only one therapy center for scholarship funds. Changes to your designated therapy center will only be permitted if:
- There is a documented change in insurance coverage, or
- You change therapy centers within the same category of therapy (for example, switching from one ABA provider to another).
Verification Requirement: All applicants must submit a completed Therapy Verification Form, which can be downloaded [here]. This form must be filled out by your therapy center’s administration on your behalf.
Required Documentation: Be prepared to upload the following three documents with your application:
- Completed Therapy Verification Form
- Most recent IRS Form 1040
- Copy of medical diagnosis
- Completed HIPAA Release
Other Funding Restrictions: Recipients of the 2026 Landon’s Hope Scholarship are not eligible for any other funding from Autism Strong Foundation in 2026.
Media Agreement: If awarded a scholarship, you must be willing to provide photographs of your child and participate in the 2026 Award Recipients Video Series.
QUESTIONS? Email kelby@autismstrong.org