A college scholarship for students with rheumatic diseases

Generously funded by Dr. & Mrs. Walter J. Winterhoff and Dr. Smriti Bardhan 

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

Our Funders: 

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 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.  

Dr. & 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. Since then, the Arthritis Foundation has received nearly 800 applications. 

Eligible Applicants: 

• Have doctor-diagnosed arthritis or related rheumatic disease 
• Have and maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA (unweighted)  
• United States citizen or legal and permanent resident of the U.S. 
• Accepted to an accredited undergraduate program, graduate program or medical school in the U.S.  
• Enrolled full-time each semester 
• Engaged Arthritis Foundation advocate, fundraiser, participant, volunteer and/or supporter    

Not all eligible applicants will be selected as scholarship recipients. 

Additional Arthritis Champions Scholarship details and application here.

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.   

No member of Arthritis Foundation staff, national board of directors or Arthritis Champions Scholarship Committee, or their immediate family, shall be eligible for a scholarship award. 

For more information, please contact Jennifer Ziegler at jziegler@arthritis.org or 470-481-4921.