Arthritis Champions Scholarships
Arthritis Champions Scholarship applications are now closed. The 2024 – 2025 application process will open in early January 2024.
The Arthritis Champions Scholarship is awarded annually to deserving students with arthritis or a related rheumatic disease who:
- Impact the arthritis community, serving as positive role models and leaders.
- Live their best life, while empowering others to do the same.
The 2024-2025 program is generously funded by the Dr. and Mrs. Walter J. Winterhoff Endowed Scholarship Fund and the Dr. Smriti Bardhan Scholarship Fund.
Here are answers to your most frequently asked questions about the Arthritis Champions Scholarship program.
General Info
What is the award amount?
There are no guarantees that this scholarship program will be available in subsequent academic years, or that a given recipient will receive the award in subsequent academic years.
When does the application process open?
What is the application process?
Will all applicants receive a scholarship?
We encourage previous eligible applicants to apply in following years.
Eligibility
What are the eligibility criteria?
- A US citizen or a legal and permanent resident of the US,
- Have doctor-diagnosed arthritis or related rheumatic disease,
- Physician’s Certifying Statement required for scholarship recipients ONLY. Statement must be completed by the applicant’s Rheumatologist, DO, or Nurse Practitioner. Form will be provided by Arthritis Foundation.
- Classified as an undergraduate, graduate, or medical student at an accredited technical school, college or university in the United States for the entire academic year,
- Enrolled full-time each semester and have completed the full-time units to reapply for the next academic year. The scholarship is only available for fall and spring semesters (not summer sessions). If applying to a master’s or doctoral program, must be full-time study.
- Have and maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA,
- Engaged Arthritis Foundation advocate, fundraiser, participant, volunteer and/or supporter and/or other service to benefit the arthritis community.
Are you only eligible to receive the award one time?
Application Process
How do I access the application?
Will my information be saved so I can return to complete application?
What if I need to update my application after submission?
Do I need to submit a transcript with my application?
How will I know if my application has been received?
What is the review process?
The Arthritis Champions Scholarship program is administered by the Arthritis Foundation. Applications are anonymously reviewed by volunteers serving on the Arthritis Foundation Scholarship committee and additional volunteers across the country.
Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender, disability or national origin.
Are there limitations on course of study?
Is financial need taken into consideration?
Reference Information
Do I need a reference to be considered for this scholarship?
Deadlines
What is the deadline for submitting application?
Notifications
When will notification of awards be sent?
Applicants who do not receive notification by June 7 should contact [email protected] regarding application status.
What is required of me if I am selected?
What if someone doesn’t accept their award?
Our Funders
Dr. and Mrs. Walter J. Winterhoff
In 2007, Walter J. and Kathryn M. Winterhoff Endowed Scholarship Fund was created to provide an educational scholarship program for students with rheumatic diseases. Walter and Kay Winterhoff were Tucson residents and had passion for the work of the Arthritis Foundation. This passion evolved because Kay had arthritis and refused to let it get in the way of her love for tennis and golf. This scholarship commenced in fall 2010 at three public universities in Arizona: Arizona State University, University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University. In 2017, the Winterhoff Arthritis Scholarship evolved into a nationwide college scholarship opportunity.
Dr. Smriti Bardhan
In 2018, Dr. Smriti Bardhan College Scholarship Fund was created to help the next generation with arthritis achieve their goals. Dr. Bardhan lived with boundless energy and a zest for life. She did not let her rheumatoid arthritis curb her independence, drive and positive energy. Those that knew her best were inspired by her perseverance through the debilitating state of her arthritis. She was dedicated to her community and as a scientist she committed to cracking the genetic code to revolutionize treatments for future generations. Dr. Bardhan, like millions of others living with arthritis strived each day to live her best life.
