SHAPE America is offering two types of scholarship. The scholarships is available for outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who are the members of SHAPE America. The Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship was developed by the past presidents of SHAPE America to honor deserving students. SHAPE America awards scholarship for three undergraduate students and two graduate students in January of each year.
SHAPE America was founded in 1885 and provides a comprehensive array of resources, leadership in the development of standards and guidelines, professional development and advocacy for its members as well as the general public.
Eligibility:
Criteria for Undergraduate Students
- Applicant must be a current member of SHAPE America. Undergraduate students may join at the time of application.
- Applicant must be majoring in the field of health, physical education, recreation or dance.
- Applicant must have college junior or senior class standing at a baccalaureate-granting college/university (completed a minimum of 60 semester/90 quarter units of college courses).
- Applicant must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 overall on a 4.0 grade point scale. GPA scores from all institutions attended in pursuit of applicant’s current degree must be factored into the overall GPA.
- Applicant must be a first time Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship recipient. Previous recipients of SHAPE America’s National Presidential Scholarship are ineligible.
Criteria for Graduate Students
- Applicant must be a current member of SHAPE America. Graduate students may join at the time of application.
- Applicant must be majoring in the field of health, physical education, recreation or dance.
- Applicant must be enrolled in a matriculated full-time masters or doctoral program. Doctoral candidates working on their dissertation must be no more than one year beyond coursework completion.
- Applicant must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 overall on a 4.0 grade point scale. The following guidelines should be used when reporting the GPA:
- First semester Master’s and Doctoral candidates: GPA based on most recent degree obtained. GPA scores from all institutions attended in pursuit of applicant’s most recent degree must be factored into the overall GPA.
- Master’s/Doctoral candidates beyond first semester: GPA based on applicant’s current program. GPA scores from all institutions attended in pursuit of applicant’s current degree must be factored into the overall GPA.
- Applicant must be a first time Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship recipient. Previous recipients of SHAPE America’s National Presidential Scholarship are ineligible. Undergraduate recipients are ineligible for the graduate scholarship award.
How to Apply:
For applying the scholarship, the candidates must complete the scholarship application form.
- Scholarship form for undergraduate students can be downloaded by the link below:
http://www.shapeamerica.org/scholarships/upload/Undergraduate_Appl_AbernathyScholarship_2016R.pdf
- Scholarship form for graduate students can be downloaded by the given link:
http://www.shapeamerica.org/scholarships/upload/Graduate_Appl_AbernathyScholarship_2016R.pdf
Supporting Documents:
- Provide a letter from your school’s dean or registrar indicating full-time status.
- Provide three letters of recommendation signed and titled which address all aspects of the selection criteria.
- Provide a scanned copy of official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended in pursuit of current degree.
- Provide a biographical sketch to be used for publication and for the official convention award presentation.
Submitting Details:
The complete application and supporting documents must be submitted electronically or by mail.
For Electronic Submission:
The complete application packet can be email to Patti Hartle: phartle-at-shapeamerica.org.
All materials noted above must be completed and provided simultaneously to SHAPE America Headquarters at the following address. Fax copies will not be accepted. CEO Office, SHAPE America, 1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191
Award Amount:
Three Undergraduate awards of $1,250 each and two graduate awards of $1,750 each will be given. Recipients will also receive a complimentary three-year SHAPE America membership.
Application Deadline:
The completed application packet can be submitted till October 15.
Link for More Information:
http://www.shapeamerica.org/scholarships/abernathyscholarship.cfm
Contact Information:
If you have any question regarding the scholarship, the question should be directed to Patti Hartle at phartle-at-shapeamerica.org.
