How to Apply for Arthritis Foundation Scholarship

Are you a student with arthritis or a related rheumatic disease who wants to pursue higher education? Do you want to make a positive impact on the arthritis community and live your best life? If yes, then you might be interested in applying for the Arthritis Foundation Scholarship, a prestigious award that can help you achieve your academic and personal goals.

What is the Arthritis Foundation Scholarship?

The Arthritis Foundation Scholarship is a program that awards $5,000 per academic year to deserving students with arthritis or a related rheumatic disease who:

• Impact the arthritis community, serving as positive role models and leaders
• Live their best life, while empowering others to do the same

The scholarship is generously funded by the Dr. and Mrs. Walter J. Winterhoff Endowed Scholarship Fund, the Dr. Smriti Bardhan Scholarship Fund, and Alpha Omicron Pi. Since 2010, the scholarship has supported 51 college students, totaling nearly $570,000 in scholarship awards.

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Types of Arthritis Foundation Scholarship

There are two types of Arthritis Foundation Scholarships available:

• The Arthritis Champions Scholarship, which is open to all students with arthritis or a related rheumatic disease who meet the eligibility criteria
• The Ann Palmer Award is a designation given to the recipient who receives the highest score for their written prompt on Arthritis Foundation/arthritis community involvement and impact. The Ann Palmer Award is named in honor of the Arthritis Foundation’s president and CEO from 2013 to 2022.

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Eligibility Criteria for Arthritis Foundation Scholarship

To be eligible for the Arthritis Foundation Scholarship, you must:

• Have doctor-diagnosed arthritis or related rheumatic disease
• Have and maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA (unweighted)
• Be a United States citizen or legal and permanent resident of the U.S.
• Be accepted into an accredited undergraduate program, graduate program, or medical school in the U.S.
• Be enrolled full-time each semester
• Be engaged Arthritis Foundation advocates, fundraisers, participants, volunteers, and/or supporters

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How to Apply for Arthritis Foundation Scholarship

To apply for the Arthritis Foundation Scholarship, you need to:

• Complete and submit the online application form by the deadline
• Provide your personal information, academic information, and financial information
• Write and upload a personal statement (500 words or less) describing your challenges and accomplishments despite arthritis, your future goals, and how the scholarship will help you achieve them
• Write and upload a written prompt (500 words or less) explaining your involvement and impact on the Arthritis Foundation and/or the arthritis community
• Upload a copy of your official or unofficial transcript
• Provide one reference who can attest to your character, leadership, and involvement in the arthritis community

The application process for the 2024-2025 academic year is now open. The closing date is Friday, March 1, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET. You can access the application form here.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Arthritis Foundation Scholarship:

Are you only eligible to receive the award once?

No, eligible scholarship recipients may apply for up to four years in total.

Are there limitations on the course of study?

No, there are no limitations on course of study as long as you are enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program, graduate program or medical school in the U.S.

Is financial need taken into consideration?

No, financial need is not taken into consideration. The scholarship is based on merit and impact.

How will I know if my application has been received?

You will receive an email confirmation after you submit your application. You can also check the status of your application on the online portal.

When will notification of awards be sent?

Notification of awards will be sent via email by June 1, 2024.

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Conclusion

The Arthritis Foundation Scholarship is a great opportunity for students with arthritis or a related rheumatic disease who want to pursue higher education and make a difference in the arthritis community. If you are interested in applying, don’t miss the deadline of March 1, 2024. For more information, visit the Arthritis Foundation website or contact scholarship@arthritis.org.