NSC provides financial assistance to families with a neurodivergent child (ages 1-17). Financial assistance is offered to families for neuropsychological evaluations, advocacy services, and research-supported therapy.​

​

​Grant amounts:

• up to $5,000 per family

 

Who is eligible: 

• Neurodivergent children who have a diagnosed or suspected developmental, neurological, social, learning, &/or psychological disability

• Massachusetts resident

• Parents/guardians should be able to clearly outline their need for financial assistance and plan for usage of grant funds. 

• Families may apply once every calendar year or grant cycle. There is a limit of 3 awards per family.

 

Expenses covered ONLY include: 

• Services or support not covered by your health insurance plan due to plan limitations on providers (e.g., out-of-network), diagnoses (e.g., ABA for children with ADHD), treatment frequency (e.g., multiple times/week), &/or type of services (e.g., academic evaluations).

• NSC funding is limited to:

1. Neuropsychological Evaluations &/or Academic Evaluations

2. Advocacy services (e.g., advocate or lawyer fees specific to accessing special education services through your school district)

3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), &/or Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) Therapy

 

Expenses NOT covered:

• Services & providers covered fully by your health insurance plan 

• Assistive Technology & Other Specialized Equipment

• Furniture & electronic devices (e.g., computers, iPhones, iPads)

• Social skills groups or camps 

• Summer camps, respite care, &/or recreational programs

• Swim lessons or classes

• Personal training sessions or gym membership

• Speech & Language Therapy or copays

• Occupational or Physical Therapy or copays

• Academic Tutoring or private school tuition

• Travel expenses

• Transportation requests (e.g., cars, car repair, transportation passes, & air travel)

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy or other non-empirically supported treatment

• Nutritional supplements

• Personal needs (e.g., rent, utilities, & family vacations)

 

APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:​

• 1. Proof of diagnosis or need for a diagnostic evaluation (documentation must be within the last 5 years):

  • Summary page from a neuropsychological report (or, if unavailable, substitute psycho-educational testing by a school psychologist) and/or

  • Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that lists a current diagnosis and/or

  • A 504 Plan that lists a current diagnosis and/or

  • A signed letter stating diagnosis (or referral for a diagnostic evaluation) from the child's pediatrician, therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, and/or other licensed health provider, including the provider’s name, credentials, & license number.

• 2. A "Good Faith Estimate" from the provider that you are seeking the services from and/or an unpaid or paid invoice for the services rendered.

• 3. Copy of your most recent W-2 Form or Tax Form Summary with proof of household income. 

 

We now have 2 APPLICATION DEADLINES:

• All applications submitted on or after August 1, 2026 will be rolled into the SUMMER 2027 grant cycle.

  • SUMMER Grants (submit by end of June 2027 for services scheduled between August 2027-January 2028):

    • Applications submitted between January 1- June 30, 2027 will be considered for the SUMMER grant cycle.

      • A good faith estimate of services is needed with your application submission.

    • Applications will be reviewed in July 2027.

    • Families will be notified in August 2027.

    • Upon confirmation of your child’s provider, dates of service, and contact information, NSC will email a commitment letter to your provider. Payment will be rendered shortly thereafter.  ​

• Starting in 2027:

  • WINTER Grants (submit by end of December 2027 for services scheduled between February-July 2028):

    • Applications submitted between July 1-December 31, 2027 will be considered for the WINTER grant cycle.

      • A good faith estimate of services is needed with your application submission.

    • Applications will be reviewed in January 2028.

    • Families will be notified in February 2028.

    • Upon confirmation of your child’s provider, dates of service, and contact information, NSC will email a commitment letter to your provider. Payment will be rendered shortly thereafter.  ​

• Application Review Process:

  • Applications will be reviewed in January & July of each year by NSC board members using a scoring rubric designed specifically for NSC. Applications will not be reviewed in January 2027, as we transition to 2 grant cycles per year. 

  • Priority will be given to families with a neurodivergent child(ren) with significant challenges, services that will make a positive, meaningful impact on the child and family's daily life, and/or families with greater financial need. 

  • NSC will ONLY disburse funds directly to the provider. Invoices can be forwarded to NSC by the family or provider, before or after services are rendered, depending on the date(s) of service. ​​​​