Scholarships
AMBUCS Big Hat Scholarships
One of the ways that AMBUCS creates mobility and independence for people with disabilities is by providing scholarships for therapists. Through the National AMBUCS Living Endowment Program, scholarships are awarded annually to students entering into physical or occupational therapy programs or speech pathology programs.
In addition to these national awards The Mesquite AMBUCS Big Hat Club also provides scholarships. We have awarded almost $350,000 in scholarships to 105 different students since our scholarship program began back in 1995 There are two different scholarships awarded by the Mesquite AMBUCS.
The first is simply called the Mesquite AMBUCS Big Hat Scholarship. It is awarded annually to three Mesquite Independent School District graduates who are entering a direct patient care, health related degree program. The award totals $9000 given out in annual increments to those recipients who continue along their health related degree path with $1500 awarded each of the first two years and $3000 awarded for each of the last two years.
Since 2003 over $175,000 has been given to winners of the Mesquite AMBUCS Mastership Award. This award is considered annually for any area students who have been accepted into an accredited physical or occupational therapy program, graduate speech pathology program, or graduate audiology program. They must be sponsored for the National Living Endowment Scholarship by the Mesquite AMBUCS chapter. This award is up to $4000 annually.
Mesquite AMBUCS Big Hat Undergraduate Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded annually to three Mesquite ISD seniors who are planning on pursuing an undergraduate degree in a medical-health related field. The degrees cannot be on the administrative side of healthcare, but on the side of direct patient care - (Pre-med, Pre- dentistry, physical or occupational therapy, speech therapy/pathology, audiology, optometry, podiatry, chiropractic, and nursing, to name most of them).
Total scholarship amount is $9000 payable at the rate of $1500 per year for the 1st and 2nd years and $3000 per year for the 3rd and 4th year. To renew the scholarship annually, evidence of successful completion of course work, and a tentative schedule or degree plan is required. The student must also remain in the medical-health related degree program like those stated above.
To apply for this scholarship, download and complete the application below and email it to [email protected] by April 1st, 2024.
Mesquite AMBUCS Mastership Scholarship
The Mesquite AMBUCS Mastership Scholarship is up to a $5000 award given to students who are entering a certified therapy education program. This scholarship is awarded as often as deemed necessary by the scholarship committee to students who have applied. This award is funded by the Big Hat Club of the Mesquite AMBUCS. The eligibility criteria include:
- Student must be accepted or enrolled in an accredited Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Post-graduate Speech Pathology, or Post-graduate Audiology Program.
- Student must have applied for the National AMBUCS Scholarship and have been sponsored by the Mesquite AMBUCS for that award (http://www.ambucs.org/therapists/scholarship-program)
The scholarship will be awarded to those applicants who display the character and attitudes found in the AMBUCS mission statement by being dedicated to creating opportunities for independence for people with disabilities.
Mesquite AMBUCS will use the application for the National AMBUCS Scholarship as its application for this award.
National AMBUCS Scholarship
Since 1955, National AMBUCS, Inc. has awarded scholarships to students pursuing degrees in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology and hearing audiology. To date, more than $9.1 million in scholarships have been awarded to over 16,000 students.
Eligibility: Students must be US citizens accepted in a graduate-level program that is accredited by the appropriate therapy profession authority in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, or hearing audiology. Assistant or undergraduate programs are not eligible. Awards are based on financial need, commitment to local community, character for compassion and integrity, and career objectives.
Over $200,000 is awarded annually with individual awards ranging from $500 to $1,500. There is one two-year award in the amount of $6,000.
Eligible students who want to improve their chances of receiving this award can do so by receiving sponsorship from Mesquite AMBUCS. By doing so, the student is also automatically considered for the Mesquite AMBUCS Mastership Award. For additional information on the National Scholarship Program, please go to https://ambucs.org/therapists/scholarship-program/. Please contact the Mesquite AMBUCS Scholarship Committee via email to [email protected] before April 15th before you apply for the National Scholarship.
