To be eligible, a student must be: A legal resident of the United States. Either legally blind or so severely visually impaired that a Lavelle-sponsored vision assessment expert confirms that the student would need special support services to succeed in college. Examples of such supports include: adaptive technology, books in alternate formats, help from volunteer readers, and/or orientation and mobility training. As for non-legally blind students who nonetheless have significant vision impairments (those more ocular than cognitive in nature), are U.S. residents, and are determined by their college to be financially needy, these students should contact the Lavelle Fund office which will arrange a professionally administered functional vision assessment. Financially needy, as defined by the student's college. Colleges will use data from students' FAFSA form to make the financial need calculations outlined below. Studying at one of 12 participating colleges and universities in the New York City area. These institutions are: Canisius College, Dominican College, Fairfield University, Fordham University, Le Moyne College, Manhattanville College, Molloy College, Marist College, Marymount Manhattan College, St. John's University, St. Thomas Aquinas College, and Seton Hall University. At St. John's University, the program is open only to graduate students. At the other institutions, the program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Students must be studying full-time and in good standing (not suspended or on probation).