Morelli Scholarship

The Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation’s mission is to honor Joseph’s spirit. Through the awarding of scholarships, we recognize students, who like Joseph struggle with dyslexia, and empower them to believe in themselves. The Joseph James Morelli Legacy Foundation supports high school and college students with dyslexia who wish to pursue a degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) field.

• Scholarships are awarded annually in the amount of $500 to $2,500
• Historically, approximately 15-20% of applicants are awarded a scholarship.
• The majority of Morelli Scholars participate in our free Mentorship Program during their freshman year of college. By learning to manage stress and work smarter - not harder, most participants have found the experience invaluable to their college success. Many mentees choose to become mentors after their first year. Go to our Mentorship page to learn more.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must be either a high school student or a high school graduate.
• 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.
• Applicants must be pursuing a degree in STEM field (science, technology, engineering, math)
• Applicants must have a demonstrated learning challenge (disability) of dyslexia or similar reading and/or language-based disability. Dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD, or autism without also a dyslexia diagnosis do not qualify.

Resources Required For Completing The Application

• Personal email address (not a school email address)
• Documentation of your learning challenge such as a 504, IEP or one-page letter from a teacher or counselor (new applicants only)
• Most recent transcript, showing the previous term’s classes; official or unofficial
• Recommendation letter from a teacher, counselor, other school personnel, or reading specialist, who knows you well and can speak to your challenges and successes relative to your learning challenge.  (If someone needs to upload the letter of recommendation on your behalf, be sure to allow enough time for that.)