» Resources for Applicants with Disabilities

Accommodations for those with disabilities

Chapman's Disability Services office helps students with disabilities by providing them with ADA accommodations and alternative resources.

They do so by providing personalized accommodations. That is, disability services specialists meet with all interested students and family members – including potential students and applicants – to discuss their disability and accommodations. 

To learn more about possible accommodations at Chapman, potential students/family members can meet with a disability services specialist. To schedule a consultation, you can contact Disability Services at (714) 516-4520 or ds@chapman.edu. 

Disability Services is located on the second floor of Argyros Forum, in the same building as the Visitors’ Center. Interested potential students can conveniently schedule an in-person appointment with Disability Services before or after a scheduled campus tour.

Academic resources and accommodations 

You can find some common examples of accommodations for students with disabilities on the Disability Services page.

Student clubs and organizations

• The Spoonies: a safe space of support for those navigating complex health conditions. Through advocacy, workshops, and social events, The Spoonies foster understanding and empathy while providing a safe space for students to share experiences and resources. 
  • Follow The Spoonies on Instagram

Academic opportunities

The Disability Studies minor offers you the opportunity to study the representation, history, and interpretation of disability as a social category of human difference, rather than issues related to the clinical diagnosis and treatment of impairments.

Visit the Disability Studies Minor page for more information.

Study abroad opportunities

If you’re interested in studying abroad, we can help you choose the best program fit to ensure that you have a successful and safe experience.

Our Disabilities Abroad page will help guide through the process of identifying a study abroad program that aligns with your needs and supports your sense of belonging.

Housing accommodations

Housing accommodations are processed through the Residential Life and First Year Experience office. Options for housing accommodations include:

• Placement in hall rooms/suites/apartments that have been designed or retrofitted for accessibility needs.
• Permission to have emotional support/service animals. 

Visit the Housing Accessibility page for more information. You can also contact Residence Life with questions at reslife@chapman.edu.

Dining accommodations

Dining accommodations include:

• Gluten-free options.
• Foods prepared with precautions against cross-contact from food you may be allergic to. 

Visit the Dining page to learn more about nutrition and request meal plan accommodations.

Outside scholarships for students with disabilities

Paying for college can be especially challenging for students with disabilities. While Chapman provides merit and need-based aid, there are also several organizations that provide scholarships to students with disabilities. These include:

• Lighthouse Guild Scholarships: Offers up to 20 scholarships a year to outstanding high school students from the United States who are legally blind.
  • Deadline to apply is April 15. 
• Bella Soul Scholarships: Several scholarship opportunities for students with disabilities. 
  • College students living with a chronic illness/ disability can apply for the Anderston and Stowell Scholarship offered by Bella Soul.
  • Details of each Bella Soul scholarship are subject to change, so make sure to check the website for the most up-to-date details.
• INCIGHT Scholarship: Offered to students with a documented disability who are pursuing higher education at a university. Applicants must reside in California, Oregon, or Washington.
  • Deadline to apply is April 15.
• Anne Ford Scholarship: Offered to students who have received acceptance to a bachelor's program at an accredited college or university. Applicants must submit proof of a documented learning disability and/or ADHD.
  • Deadline to apply is April 5.
• Microsoft Disability Scholarship: Offered to students with disabilities who plan to attend a vocational or academic college and aspire to have a career in the technology industry.
  • Deadline to apply is March 15.
• Salix Gastrointestinal Health Scholar Awards: Awarded to students living with gastrointestinal (GI) diseases and disorders who are pursuing higher education. 
  • Deadline to apply is May 14.
• Heumann-Armstrong Award: Awarded to students with disabilities pursuing higher education who are willing to be interviewed on video about their experience with their disability and ableism in education.
  • Deadline to apply is July 16.
• Neurodiversity Scholarship: Awarded to students with identified neurodivergence like autism or ADHD who plan to enroll at an accredited college or university and pursue careers such as clinician, educator, psychologist, therapist, or administrator.
  • Deadline to apply is January 15.

Affordable Colleges has compiled a list of outside scholarships that are specific to individuals with disabilities.The list is updated regularly with application deadlines and scholarship amounts included. We strongly encourage all students with disabilities and financial need to apply.

Frequently asked questions

If you can’t find the answer to your question, feel free to contact the Office of Admission at admit@chapman.edu or (714) 997-6711.