Selection Process
Scholarship recipients will be chosen by the Esteamed Coffee Board of Directors based on the following criteria:
- Alignment of goals with scholarship purpose
- Financial need
- Strength of personal statement and supporting documents
- Finalist interview with the Selection Committee
Awardees will be notified by August 1st, 2026 and will be required to attend a 6-month check-in with the selection committee to update on progress.
Scholarship Application for Adults with Disabilities
We Want to Help You Succeed!
Esteamed Coffee believes in you! We want to support adults with disabilities in reaching their dreams. This scholarship can help you pay for school, job training, or starting your own business.
Who Can Apply?
- You must be 18 or older and live in Wake County, North Carolina
- You must have a documented intellectual, developmental, communication and/or visual disability
- You want to go to school, take a professional class, learn job skills, or start a business
How to Apply
Send supporting documents to julie@esteamedcoffee.com then fill out the form below by July 15th. You may ask a friend, family member, or support person for help with this application if needed.
Please reach out to julie@esteamedcoffee.com for any needed accommodations such as alternate application formats, dictation, etc.
Your Information
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Address
- Phone Number
- Email
- Amount Requested (maximum of $2,000)
Application Questions
(Questions can also be answered and submitted via video.)
- How do you think your disability affects your education or job goals?
- Here is an example of an excellent answer. Please share your own story in your own words: “Having Down syndrome makes it harder for me to learn in a regular classroom. I sometimes have trouble reading big words, remembering a lot of information at once, or understanding things quickly. That can make school harder for me, and it can also make it harder to learn how to run a business on my own. I sometimes need more time, extra help, or someone to show me step by step. But I learn really well with hands-on practice, and I don’t give up. Even though it takes me longer, I’m still working hard to reach my goal of starting an online jewelry business. My disability has helped me be patient and creative, and I believe those are good skills for being a business owner too.”
- If you won this scholarship, what would you use the award for?
- Here is an example of an excellent answer. Please share your own story in your own words: “If I get this scholarship, I will use it to take a business class at Wake Tech. I want to learn how to sell my jewelry online and how to run a small business. I need to learn about money, pricing, how to talk to customers, and how to ship orders. This class will teach me those skills. I already make necklaces and bracelets by hand, and I want to have my own website someday. Taking this class will help me take the next step toward that dream.”
- How would you pay for your needs if you are not awarded the scholarship?
- Here is an example of an excellent answer. Please share your own story in your own words: “If I don’t get the scholarship, I plan to save money from my job at The Purple Bowl. I will also talk to my family and job coach to see if they can help me find other ways to pay for the class. I still want to take it, even if it takes me longer to save up. I believe in my goal, and I won’t give up.”
Send These Documents Before Submitting Your Application to julie@esteamedcoffee.com
- A letter of recommendation from someone who is not related to you (for example, a teacher, job coach, or mentor)
- Proof of your disability (doctor’s note, IEP, or other official document)
