NATA Research & Education Foundation » Scholarship Program

Scholarship Program

The NATA Foundation Scholarship Program is one of the organization’s most highly regarded programs.

Through this program, which is managed by the Scholarship Committee, the NATA Foundation awards undergraduate, master’s and doctoral scholarships. The number of scholarships varies annually (from 50 to 75), with the amount of the award currently $2,300 per scholarship. Scholarship funding is secured through a variety of sources, including the organization’s endowment program, as well as through corporate and individual support.

2012 Scholarship Requirements & Instructions

Eligibility requirements and instructions for the 2012 program are shown below. This information is provided so applicants will have sufficient time to secure all required documentation. Students interested in applying for a scholarship are encouraged to review the information on this site as soon as possible.

2012 Eligibility Requirements 

All scholarship applicants need to meet the following criteria:

  • Have been a member of NATA by November 1, 2011 and have membership for 2012
  • Have performed with distinction in his/her: Academic program and institution; Athletic training duties/assigments; Academic coursework; Community service
  • Have cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 (see specific criteria for more details).

NOTE: The NATA Scholarship Committee has decided that it is no longer necessary for students to submit transcripts to the NATA office.  We would like the Institutional Representative and the student to take charge of grade verification.  In most cases, the Institutional Representative will have access to GPA for course work; however, it may be necessary for the student to obtain transcripts from previous colleges/universities.

Entry Level Undergraduate Additional Requirements

 An Entry Level Undergraduate Candidate Must:

  1. Have a cumulative overall GPA of at least 3.2 (based on a 4.0 maximum) for ALL undergraduate courses including the Fall of 2011;
  2. Be enrolled in a CAATE accredited undergraduate program requiring four years for a baccalaureate degree;
  3. Have completed a miminum of five (5) semesters or seven (7) quarters of college coursework, including the Fall of 2011 (equates to 60 or more credits of college coursework). You MUST have at least one academic year of undergraduate work remaining to qualify.  

Entry Level Master’s Eligibility Requirements

An Entry Level Master’s Applicant must:

  1. Have a cumulative overall GPA of at least 3.2 (based on a 4.0 maximum) for ALL undergraduate courses and ALL graduate courses, including Fall of 2011;
  2. Be enrolled in a CAATE accredited entry-level master’s program;
  3. Be in your first year of entry-level graduate study.

Masters Eligibility Requirements

The Master’s Scholarship applicant must:

  1. Have a cumulative overall GPA of at least 3.2 (based on a 4.0 maximum) for ALL undergraduate courses and any graduate courses including the Fall 2011;
  2. Be, or plan to be, enrolled in a master’s degree program.  An applicant may apply:
            a. During his/her final academic year of undergraduate work, OR
            b. Anytime prior to his/her final academic year of master’s work;

Doctoral Eligibility Requirements

The Doctoral Scholarship applicant must:

  1. Have a cumulative overall GPA of at least 3.2 (based on a 4.0 maximum) for ALL graduate courses including the Fall of 2011;
  2. Be, or plan to be, enrolled in a Doctoral degree program. An applicant may apply:
            a. During his/her final academic year of master’s work.
            b. Anytime prior to his/her final academic year of doctoral work.

2012 Online Application Submission Process


PLEASE REVIEW CAREFULLY

The NATA Research & Education Foundation offers an opportunity for committed students of athletic training to obtain financial assistance with the cost of their education. The application process is now all on-line. Applicants may enter the on-line system at multiple times to review and finalize applications. However, all scholarship material MUST be submitted prior to Monday February 6, 2012. NOTE: All applications MUST be started by Monday, January 23, 2012. (in order to assure that letters of recommendation are received).

Please review the following information carefully before entering the Scholarship Application Submission Area.

General Information

1. Three (3) scholarship application categories are available:
         1.   Entry Level (Undergraduate OR Master’s)
         2.  Master’s
         3.  Doctoral

 Once a scholarship has been awarded to an individual, s/he is no longer eligible for a scholarship in the same category.

2. NATA Membership is a requirement (http://www.nata.org/join-nata) and you must be a member by November 1, 2011.

3. All NATA Foundation scholarship awards for 2012 are $2,300.

4. Need shall not be a factor in granting NATA Foundation scholarships. Assistance from other sources will not make the applicant ineligible for a NATA Foundation scholarship. Consideration will be given to the applicant’s participation in campus activities, other than academic and athletic training, in which s/he has demonstrated qualities of leadership and has been a positive example to fellow students.

5. Applicants will be notified of the Scholarship Committee’s decision by April 30, 2012.

6. The selected applicant MUST provide proof of enrollment in an appropriate undergraduate, entry level master’s, master’s or doctoral program for the 2012/2013 academic year before a check will be issued. Proof of enrollment can come from a variety of university sources, but must be official documentation. The recipient is expected to remain enrolled as a full time student in that program. NOTE: An exception may be granted if the recipient is assigned to active military service or due to other extenuating circumstances acceptable to the NATA Foundation Scholarship Committee.

Application Information

ALL sections of the scholarship application MUST be fully completed and submitted as directed by Monday, February 6, 2012.

NOTE:  Applicants are NO longer required to send transcripts to NATA Office; however, the Institutional Representative may need trancripts to fill out their section. Please plan accordingly.

Section I:  MUST be completed by Monday, January 23, 2012This section allows NATA Foundation staff to enter you into the system and once completed will allow you access to Section II.  Your Institutional Representative and Nominating ATC will be notified and sent necessary forms for completion.

  1. Applicant’s Information. Includes contact information and NATA member number and permanent address for communication.
  2. Contact Information for Institutional Representative. This individual verifies enrollment in appropriate program based on category of scholarship chosen.  Please include name and credentials, title, phone number and email.  NATA Foundation staff will secure a completed verification of enrollment from the designated Institutional Representative.    a.  Acceptable Institutional Representative:
                       i. For Entry Level Undergraduate – Program Director, Clinical Education Coordinator,
                          Academic Advisor or Department Chair. 
                      ii. For Entry Level Master’s – Program Director or Clinical Education Coordinator.
                     iii. For Master’s or Doctoral – Department Chair or Thesis/Dissertation Chair.
  3. Contact Information for Nominating ATC. This individual is a BOC certified athletic trainer who is a member in good standing of NATA and who can attest to the applicant’s skills, abilities and scholarly activities as they relate to the applicant. He/She has agreed to write you a letter of support for your application. Please include name and credentials, title, phone number, and email. NATA Foundation staff will secure a completed Nominating ATC Response from the designated Nominating ATC.    
           
                    NOTE: This may be the same individual who served as Institutional Representative.

 Section II: MUST be completed by Monday, February 6, 2012 Student Personal Statements

  1. Student Personal Statements

  • Question 1: Identify an experience during your athletic training assignments or previous
    jobs that has allowed you to mature and gain knowledge in the field.
  • Question 2: Identify an experience during your academic preparation or community service
    that has allowed you to demonstrate leadership.
  • Question 3: Where do you believe athletic training fits into the healthcare community and how will you help to fulfill this role as a professional?
  • Question 4: What are your professional goals and aspirations? 

  2.  Provide the total clinical athletic training hours you have completed in your academic  program OR       
        information  about previous athletic training positions you have held as a certified athletic trainer.

  3.  List your athletic training experiences outside of jobs or CAATE required assignments (e.g., recreational
        events, marathons, state/city games, and/or Special Olympics).

  • All applicants will have experienced curricular assignments in their respective academic programs. 
    We are interested in how you have used your skills as a first responder, athletic training student, or
    certified athletic trainer in community service roles. 

  4.  Activities/Clubs/Association Membership related to Academic Program/Athletic Training

  5.  Activities/Clubs/Community or Civic Service (not related to athletic training)

  6.  Completed verification of enrollment from Institutional Representative. Follow up with your chosen
        individual to assure they have sent the form to the NATA Foundation office.

 7.  Completed Letter of Recommendation from Nominating ATC.  Follow up with your chosen individual to
       assure they have sent the form to the NATA Foundation office.

Applicant’s Confirmation. This is your verification that you have completed all of Section II and have followed-up or secured an Institutional Representative endorsement and Nominating ATC endorsement.

HELPFUL HINTS

  1. Use your NATA membership number and password to log-in to the scholarship screen.
    If you do not know your membership number or password contact fndnstaff@nata.org

    2.    If you have begun (but not completed) your scholarship application and need to save it and return to
             it later, you must enter something into EACH field.  For example, if you have not completed your
             essay, simply put a  question mark or some other character into the essay field in order to be able to
             save your  application until you are ready to begin working on it again.

     3.  Your Nominating ATC and Institutional Representative must be individuals who are
            aware of your application and have AGREED IN ADVANCE to complete the necessary forms.

    4.   Please call the NATA Foundation office (800-879-6282, Ext 147 OR 972-532-8847) with any
           questions.  A fully completed on-line application must be received by the NATA Foundation
           office not later than February 6, 2012, for the scholarship applicant to be eligible for consideration
           for a scholarship award.

    Entry-Level                         Master’s                              Doctoral

    Use your NATA membership number and password to log­in on the next screen.APPLICATION SUBMISSION - http://members.nata.org/as/default.cfm  

    AGAIN, Section 1 MUST be completed by Monday, January 23, 2012.  This section allows NATA Foundation staff to enter you into the system and notify your Institutional Representative and Nominating ATC and sent the necessary forms for completion.  ALL information and forms MUST be received by the deadline of February 6, 2012.

    Resources

    Scholarship Committee

    Scholarship Sponsor Options and Agreement Form

    Past Scholarship Recipients

    Scholarship Recipient Listings 2010

    Scholarship Recipient Listings 2009
    Scholarship Recipient Listings 2008
    Scholarship Recipient Listings 2007
    Scholarship Recipient Listings 2006
    Scholarship Recipient Listings 2005
    Scholarship Recipient Listings 2004
    Scholarship Recipient Listings 2003
    Scholarship Recipient Listings 2002
    Scholarship Recipient Listings 1991-2001