Scholarship & Grant Opportunities

The money raised by the DSFSAG is aimed to help all individuals with Down syndrome and their families who live in the Michiana area, therefore following grants and scholarships are not based on financial need. Applicants must live in the Michiana area which includes: South Bend, Mishawaka, Elkhart, Bremen, Plymouth, LaPorte and other surrounding cities in Northern Indiana in addition to South West Michigan.

Mini Grants

Starting January 1, 2008, members of the Down Syndrome Family Support and Advocacy Group can apply for a $200 mini grant to help with educational and medical costs for the member with Down syndrome. Members are eligible to submit only one application per year, but can combine receipts to total a maximum of $200.

Below are some examples of mini grant eligible expenses. It is impossible to list everything, so if you have a question about an expense not listed, please ask.

Costs for DS conferences/ DS education resources
Medical bills
Medicines
Dental care
Eye glasses
Hearing aides
Orthotics
Therapy
Hospitalizations
Surgeries

Remember that you can submit only one application per year for a maximum reimbursement of $200.

Example of eligible applications:

Submit application in June for the following: $50 eye exam in January, $100 dental expenses in February, and $50 education materials purchased in June = $200

Examples of non-eligible applications:

Submit an application in February for $75 for glasses. The $75 is eligible and was paid. Then in June, submit a second application for $125 for dental expenses. The second application for $125 is ineligible for reimbursement and will not be paid. Only one application per year is permitted.

There are limited number of grants. All mini grant requests will be subject to approval by the Board. Grants will be awarded on a reimbursement basis only. If a family has more than one member with Down syndrome, they may apply for one grant for each person with Down syndrome. In the event a grant is not awarded, the request does not roll over to the next year. Receipts submitted must be for the current calendar year.

To request consideration for a mini grant, print the attached form
and mail it to:

DSFSAG Mini Grant
51201 Old Cottage Dr.
Granger, IN 46530

Recreational Scholarships

Scholarship money has been given to the following four organizations (Reins of Life, Foundation for Music and healing, Camp Millhouse, The Children's Dispensary, and Kindermusik) on behalf of our members with Down syndrome. These organizations will give our members with Down syndrome a discount on their enrollment fees. The amount of the discount varies depending on the number of members who participate. The organizations are:

Reins of Life, Inc.

Therapeutic horseback riding program offers children from ages 2 on up the opportunity to learn how to take care of and ride a horse. Sessions range between 6 and 8 weeks.

    Reins of Life, Inc.
    55200 Quince Road
    South Bend, IN 46619
    Phone: 574-232-0853
    Fax: 574-232-1104
    Email: info@reinsoflife.org
   Website: www.reinsoflife.org

Foundation for Music and Healing

Individual music instruction for students of all ages with disabilities or special needs.

Foundation for Music and Healing, Inc.
2811 Beechwood Lane
South Bend, IN 46615
Email: robinson.c@att.net
Telephone (574) 993-2093
Website: www.nd.edu/~spower/musichealing/index.html

Camp Mill House

One week residential summer camp sessions for ages 5 through 99 offer fun-filled adventurous outdoor activities for persons with special needs. Day camp is also available

Camp Millhouse, Inc.
25600 Kelly Road
South Bend IN 46614
Tel: 574-233-2202
Email: cmpmilhous@aol.com
Website: http://www.campmillhouse.org/

The Children's Dispensary

The Children's Dispensary provides social and recreation programs to enhance the learning and enrich the lives of people with special needs ages 5-18 years Their programs include Fun and Learn, Bowling and Teen Club.

The Children's Dispensary

2015 W. Western Ave. Ste 233

South Bend, IN 46619

Tel: 574- 234-1169
email: cdaplacetobeme@sbcglobal.net
Website: www.childrensdispensary.org
email:

Kindermusik® with Amy Reinert, LLC

"Kindermusik is a classroom learning experience. We teach children music so they can become better learners. It's not about making little Mozarts. It's about developing skills in the whole child - ages newborn to 7 years - cognitive, physical, social, emotional, language and musical. For more than 25 years, we have believed music is the best conductor for learning."

Kindermusik® with Amy Reinert, LLC
Tel: 574-875-7386
Email: kindermusikwithamy@ msn.com
Website: http://kindermusikwithamy.kindermusik.net/

There are 4 locations:

Indiana Ultimate Inc.
3016 W. Wilden Ave
Goshen, IN 46528
Phone: (574) 534 - 2016

Flint's Dance Studio Inc.
2508 Milburn Boulevard
Mishawaka, IN 46544
Phone: (574) 255 - 5575

Blessing Music Company
210 East Jackson Blvd.
Elkhart, IN 46516
Phone: (574) 293 - 6332

Fit Stop
13160 SR 23
Granger, IN 46530
Phone: (574) 272 - 2222

Marilyn Casper Academic Scholarship for Individuals with Down syndrome

Picture of cap and diploma

A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a student with Down syndrome who is pursuing post-secondary education, technical or job training classes, or any type of enrichment classes which teach independent living or life skills.

Scholarship requests must include:

Student’s name, address, phone number, and email address (if applicable)
Name, address, and phone number of academic institution
Official high school transcript or copy of certificate or diploma
Proof of enrollment in the program of study
Description of program of study
List of courses and course fees they wish the scholarship to cover
Current transcript if applicant has completed courses
Letter which describes why the applicant feels they should receive the grant
Postmarked no later than May 1st.

Complete the attached scholarship application form and mail by May 1st to:

DSFSAG Educational Scholarships
51201 Old Cottage Dr.
Granger, IN 46530