Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation Scholarship: Empowering STEM Students with Learning Differences

Introduction

The Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation Scholarship offers financial assistance to students with dyslexia or similar learning challenges who are pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This scholarship aims to honor the spirit of Joseph James Morelli, who struggled with dyslexia, and empower students with similar challenges to achieve their academic goals. The foundation has awarded nearly $900,000 in 496 scholarships to 250 students across 44 states.

About Joseph James Morelli

Joseph James Morelli was a young man diagnosed with severe dyslexia as a freshman in high school. He graduated from Park City High School and was pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Montana State University (MSU) when he tragically died in a car accident in 2014.

The Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation

Established in 2014 to honor Joseph Morelli, the Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation supports young adults with learning differences by awarding scholarships toward obtaining a degree in a STEM field. The foundation’s mission is to recognize students who, like Joseph, struggle with dyslexia and to empower them to believe in themselves. Montana State University (MSU), a public land grant and top-tier research institution, known for its commitment to student success and innovation, now serves as the new home for the foundation’s scholarship and student support programs. This transition ensures the long-term sustainability and infrastructure needed to reach and support even more students.

Scholarship Details

Award Amount

The Joseph James Memorial Scholarship awards between $500 and $2,500 annually. The scholarship funds will be disbursed directly to the recipient's college or university and can be utilized for "qualified educational expenses" as defined by the IRS. These expenses include tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at the educational institution, or for fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses at the educational institution.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Read also: Recognizing Joseph Dupont

Educational Status: Applicants must be either a high school student or a high school graduate.
Enrollment: Applicants must be attending an accredited undergraduate school, technical school, or community college in the United States in the Fall. Graduate students are not eligible.
Field of Study: Applicants must be pursuing a degree in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, math).
Learning Challenge: Applicants must have a demonstrated learning challenge (disability) of dyslexia or a similar reading and/or language-based disability. Dyslexia can affect any child, regardless of age, intelligence, race, gender or even background. Unfortunately, the signs and symptoms of dyslexia can be missed.
Exclusions: Current staff, board members, and contractors for The Neurodiversity Alliance, as well as their relatives, are not eligible to apply. In addition, international students on temporary visas are not eligible to apply.

Application Requirements

While specific application requirements may vary, applicants are generally expected to provide:

A completed application form.
Transcripts or other academic records.
A personal essay.
A recommendation letter from a teacher, counselor, school personnel, or reading specialist who knows you well and can discuss your challenges and successes related to your learning challenge.

The Neurodiversity Alliance believes that students are so much more than their transcript, test scores, and resume. This initiative represents The Neurodiversity Alliance’s ongoing commitment to improving the educational experience and outcomes for students who learn differently, helping them achieve their full potential as they navigate an education system designed for neurotypical students.

How to Apply

The Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation Scholarship might not currently be accepting applications. Most scholarship programs only accept applications a few months ahead of their annual deadline. Based on previous application cycles, we expect this scholarship to reopen in January 2026.

Additional Support: The Mentorship Program

After its second successful year, the Mentorship Program has become an essential element in the support the Foundation offers our awardees. The program pairs college freshmen with peer mentors to help them navigate the challenges that college presents, particularly for students with learning differences.

Impact and Community

Ensuring some good came from this tragedy, the foundation has awarded nearly $900,000 in 496 scholarships to 250 students across 44 states, creating a national impact and fostering a community of resilience, advocacy, and opportunity. The Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation supports young adults with learning differences by awarding scholarships toward obtaining a degree in a STEM field.

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