I'm looking into athletic training as a career and want to find scholarships to help cover college costs. What scholarships are available specifically for athletic training students, and how do I apply?
Many associations and institutions offer scholarships dedicated to supporting students pursuing a career in athletic training. Some notable options to consider include:
1. The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA): This association provides numerous scholarships for students interested in sports medicine and athletic training. They do not directly apply for these scholarships. Instead, NATA allows the program directors of accredited Athletic Training programs to nominate up to 5% of students in their programs.
2. The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM): The AOSSM provides a scholarship for athletic training students who show a strong interest in sports medicine research and have a research idea they would like to realize.
3. BigSun Scholarship: Open to all student-athletes who are high school seniors or current undergraduates. Applicants must write a short essay for this scholarship.
When applying for these scholarships, you'll want to keep a few things in mind:
- Be prepared to demonstrate your commitment to athletic training, whether through your coursework, relevant extracurricular activities, or work experiences.
- Often, these scholarships require letters of recommendation, so maintain strong relationships with your program directors, professors, or athletic training mentors, as they can provide strong testimonials about your qualifications.
- As with any scholarship application, be sure to start early to give yourself plenty of time to gather all necessary materials and write any essays that may be required.
Moreover, many colleges and universities with Athletic Training programs may offer in-house scholarships for students in the field. Be sure to check with the financial aid office or the department that houses the Athletic Training program at the schools you're interested in for information on potential institutional scholarships.
In sum, securing an athletic training scholarship involves a solid blend of academics, practical experience, building relationships for recommendations, and diligent search and application to suitable scholarships. Good luck!
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