American Board for Certification Scholarships 2024 News

The American Board for Certification (ABC) in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics is committed to supporting the next generation of practitioners by offering a variety of scholarships to students and residents in the orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) field. These scholarships are designed to alleviate the financial burden of education, encourage diversity, and reward academic excellence and dedication to the profession.

This article will guide you through the available scholarships for 2024, including the eligibility criteria, required documentation, and how to apply.

Scholarships Offered by the American Board for Certification

ABC offers several scholarships tailored to orthotic and prosthetic students and residents. Below are the key scholarships available in 2024, each with its own specific criteria and benefits.

1# ABC Orthotist & Prosthetist Scholarship – Funding of $10,000

This scholarship is offered through a partnership with The Foundation for Orthotic and Prosthetic Education and Research (The Foundation). It is aimed at students enrolled in a CAAHEP-accredited orthotist/prosthetist master’s degree program who demonstrate financial need and academic excellence.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be enrolled full-time in a CAAHEP-accredited orthotist/prosthetist master’s degree program.
• Must have completed at least two semesters or three quarters of the program with a minimum 3.5 GPA.
• Must demonstrate financial need.
• Must be a US citizen or legal permanent resident.
• Individuals may only receive this award once.

Required Documentation:

• A statement of financial impact (max 200 words).
• A personal statement about how your presence will contribute to the O&P profession (max 500 words).
• An essay on your most meaningful commitment outside of O&P education (max 500 words).
• An official transcript from the CAAHEP-accredited program, showing your cumulative GPA.
• Two letters of recommendation: one from a faculty member and one from a non-faculty individual (e.g., employer, volunteer supervisor, mentor).
• Your resume, detailing your education, work experience, volunteer activities, honors, awards, research experience, publications, and presentations.

Application Portal Opens: August 21, 2024
Submission Deadline: September 29, 2024.

2# ABC Scholarship for O&P Diversity – Sponsorship of $10,000

This scholarship also results from the collaboration between ABC and The Foundation. It is specifically designed to support students from underrepresented racial or ethnic populations in the O&P field. The goal is to foster diversity within the profession.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be enrolled full-time and in good academic standing in a CAAHEP-accredited orthotist/prosthetist master’s degree program.
• Must have completed at least two semesters or three quarters of the program.
• Must be a member of a racial or ethnic population underrepresented in O&P (e.g., Asian American, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native American or Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander).
• Must demonstrate financial need.
• Must be a US citizen or legal permanent resident.
• Candidates may apply for both the ABC Scholarship for O&P Diversity and the ABC Orthotist & Prosthetist Scholarship but can only receive one.

Required Documentation:

• A statement of financial impact (max 200 words).
• A personal statement about how your heritage and cultural background have shaped your path to becoming an O&P professional (max 500 words).
• An essay on your most meaningful commitment outside of O&P education (max 500 words).
• An official transcript from the CAAHEP-accredited program, showing your cumulative GPA.
• Two letters of recommendation: one from a faculty member and one from a non-faculty individual (e.g., employer, volunteer supervisor, mentor).
• Your resume, detailing your education, work experience, volunteer activities, honors, awards, research experience, publications, and presentations.

Application Portal Opens: August 21, 2024.
Submission Deadline: September 29, 2024.

How to Apply?

All applications for the scholarships mentioned above must be submitted through the official ABC application portal https://www.abcop.org/individual-certification/get-certified/abc-student-resident-scholarships-and-awards/orthotist-prosthetist-students-residents. Make sure to gather all required documentation and carefully follow the application instructions to ensure your submission is complete.