How to apply for scholarships

The application forms for named scholarships are available every year beginning December 1 and must be submitted by January 31. All students who will be enrolled next academic year are encouraged to apply (including newly admitted students and international students). Complete one scholarship application, and you will be automatically considered for all scholarships that match your eligibility.

  1. NAME
    AMOUNT
    CLASS
    GPA
  2. $2,400
    GR
    2.50
  3. $2,700
    JR/SR
    3.00
  4. $6,500
    FR
    3.00
  5. $2,500
    SR/GR
    2.50
  6. $4,300
    SR
    2.50
  7. $2,500
    GR
    2.50
  8. $3,000
    GR
    2.50
  9. $2,500
    SR/GR
    2.50

Additional scholarship and award opportunities

ASHA National Scholarships (Graduate Students)

Application deadline: Spring

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (ASHA) invites full-time students who will be or who are currently enrolled in a graduate program in communication sciences and disorders to apply for graduate scholarships.

Scholarships are available to students who are undergraduate seniors or who are currently pursuing master's or doctoral degrees. Both research and clinical doctorate candidates are eligible.

General Scholarships

Up to 15 general graduate student scholarships, $5,000 each, will be awarded (nationally) to students entering or enrolled in master's or doctoral programs of study.

Endowed Scholarships

Scholarships of $5,000 each are available for the following categories, and applicants who wish to be considered for any of these endowed scholarships must indicate this during the Graduate Student Scholarship application process.

  • International Student Scholarship: Up to three graduate student scholarships (nationally). Only non-U.S. citizens are eligible.
  • Minority Student Scholarship: Up to three graduate student scholarships (nationally), for students who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group and are U.S. citizens.
  • NSSLHA Scholarship: Up to three graduate student scholarships (nationally), underwritten by the NSSLHA Scholarship Fund, for undergraduate senior students with active National NSSLHA memberships and who will begin graduate study in the fall of 2020.

For eligibility and application process, see: https://www.ashfoundation.org/Apply/Graduate-Student-Scholarship.

MSHF Scholarships (Second Year Graduate Students)

Application Deadline: Early Spring

Eligibility: This scholarship award is intended for graduate students in their final year of a professional program (Master’s SLP or AuD) in the state of Michigan who intend to work in the state of Michigan following graduation. Applicants must be current enrolled in a graduate program.

Award amount is $500. For more information and application, visit: https://www.msha-foundation.org/

AMBUCS Scholarship (Graduate Students)

Application Deadline: Spring

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.

Awards range from $500 - $1,500. Calvin Speech Pathology graduate students have been awarded scholarships in 2018-19 (1), and 2019-20 (2).

CAPSCD Scholarships (Graduate Students)

Application Deadline: November

Eligibility: The Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD) has a long history of supporting student education through the scholarship program. The scholarships target both prospective professionals and academics in audiology, speech-language pathology, and hearing/speech/language science. CAPCSD has distributed over $1 million dollars of scholarship support.

Retrieve online application and criteria from https://www.capcsd.org/scholarships/

Room and Board for University Graduate Students Living with Older Adults in Retirement Facilities

Application Deadline: Summer 2020

Beginning in August of 2020, a few incoming SPAUD graduate students will have the opportunity to live at two retirement facilities. Clark Retirement home at Keller Lake and St Ann’s home are both residential living facilities for older adults. This project represents a joint effort between Western Michigan University OT faculty, Clark Retirement Home, St. Ann’s Retirement Home, and the Speech Pathology and Audiology Graduate Program faculty at Calvin University. This represents a unique inter-professional opportunity for occupational therapy and speech-language therapy students.

Clark at Keller Lake is an assisted living facility housing 80 older adults with varying levels of function and is set in a picturesque wooded area on a lake. St Ann’s Home is a 5 star continuum of care on 23 acres located on the west side of Grand Rapids. Both locations are located within a 10-15 minute drive from campus. Students will have separate accommodations fully furnished with their own kitchen and bath.

A key aspect of this experience is that we encourage students to spend 30 hours per month engaging with residents for 19 months at the residence in either location. This timeframe (19 months) coincides with your academic coursework.

This initiative is modeled after successful programs both in the Netherlands and in Cleveland, Ohio, pairing university students with older adults,and was successfully implemented in 2016-2018 with graduate occupational therapy students at Clark at Keller Lake. Currently it is a successful venture with both OT graduate students from WMU and Speech Language Pathology graduate students from Calvin at Keller Lake and St. Ann’s Home. These students began the program in fall of 2018 and will end spring of 2020.

Both students and older persons benefit enormously from this partnership. Expected outcomes from the Grand Rapids project include increased understanding between generations; insight into clinical issues related to aging, especially those of a psychosocial nature; and the opportunity to develop cherished friendships with persons different from yourself. This program also has the potential to alleviate some of the financial burden that often accompanies graduate school.

Applications for this initiative will be available in the late spring/summer of 2020 for all incoming graduate students.

Please contact Jill Bates for more information.

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Minority Scholarship Program (Undergraduate & Graduate)

Application Deadline: Spring

The Mary Free Bed Guild, established in 1891, is a non-profit organization that owns Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. In 2002, the Guild created the Minority Scholarship Program to promote diverse staffing to better meet the rehabilitation needs of our patients.

An individual is eligible to apply for a one-year scholarship for education-related expenses if he or she meets the established criteria. The scholarship amounts may vary depending on individual needs.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Currently enrolled in, or accepted in, an accredited college or university as a full-time, degree-seeking student in a nursing program, or graduate-level physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, therapeutic recreation, orthotics or prosthetics, or neuropsychology program
  • Cumulative college GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale (overall and in the chosen area of study)
  • Demonstrated leadership ability through participation in community service, extracurricular or other volunteer activities
  • Black or African American, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaskan Native
  • Citizen of the United States
  • Demonstrates a commitment to serving diverse populations
  • Applicant must be a permanent resident of Michigan

For more information and application process see: https://www.maryfreebed.com/careers/scholarships/