Scholarship Program
Established in 1994 to provide financial assistance to capable and promising young adults who live with the ongoing challenges and complexities of hydrocephalus.
We are proud to offer a total of twelve scholarships this year in the amount of $1,000 each. However, the number of awarded scholarships may vary each year depending on available funding. For specific details about the Scholarship Program, please review the application process, eligibility and criteria, and frequently asked questions below.
The cycle for the 2024 Scholarship Program has closed. The scholarship recipients for HA’s scholarship will be announced and awarded by November 2024.
We will be accepting applications again in January 2025. If you would like to receive a notification once our 2025 Scholarship Cycle opens, please email scholarship@hydroassoc.org.
Application Process
- To apply for a scholarship an online application must be completed. The online application will be available in January 2025. If you'd like to be notified when the 2025 Scholarship Cycle opens, please email scholarship@hydroassoc.org.
- Through our scholarship website, you will email the person you have chosen to recommend you for the scholarship.
- One letter of recommendation is required from someone who can share important insight about your character. The recommender must be from a school official, instructor, clergy member, work supervisor, athletic coach, or another person who knows you well. The person recommending you cannot be a relative.
- Chosen Scholarship Recipients are required to show proof of a hydrocephalus diagnosis by a current treating medical provider (e.g., neurosurgeon, neurologist, primary care physician, internist, nurse, PA, etc.). 2024 Scholarship Applicants have the option to submit proof of diagnosis prior to being awarded, so in the case you are selected for a scholarship, we can expedite your award. If HA does not receive proof of diagnosis from a recipient within 10 days of award notification, HA reserves the right to pass the scholarship on to an alternate recipient.
- Applicants have two options for submitting proof of a hydrocephalus diagnosis. A current treating medical provider can either:
- Verify hydrocephalus diagnosis by providing a statement in a letter. The letter must be on the letterhead from the hospital or doctor's office and signed by the medical provider. The treating medical provider must attach the final letter in an email and it must be sent from their work email address to scholarship@hydroassoc.org.
- Verify hydrocephalus diagnosis by providing a statement in an email. The email must be sent from the treating medical provider’s work email address to scholarship@hydroassoc.org.
General Information
- Must have a hydrocephalus diagnosis. A statement verifying the applicant's hydrocephalus diagnosis is required.
- Must be 17 years of age or older.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or a legal and permanent resident of the U.S.
- Applicant cannot be a previous HA Scholarship Recipient.
- Scholarship funds must be used for educational purposes such as a two or four-year college, a high school post-graduate year to prepare for college, technical or trade school, an accredited employment-training program, or a post-graduate program.
- The scholarship funds may be used for tuition, books, housing, or an expense directly related to the education experience.
- No financial qualifications will be used in determining scholarship recipients.
- Scholarships are non-renewable, and we invite you to submit an application each year if you have not previously been awarded a scholarship.
- The Scholarship Selection Committee of the Hydrocephalus Association has the sole authority of awarding the scholarships.
- How do I access the application?
The 2024 Scholarship Cycle has closed. We will be accepting applications again in January 2025. If you would like to receive a notification once our 2025 Scholarship Cycle opens, please email scholarship@hydroassoc.org. - What is the application process?
Each applicant will complete an online application, including general information and questions, essays covering the impact hydrocephalus has had on your life, how you would help others, educational and career goals and aspirations, and involvement with HA or other community service programs and volunteer activities. One letter of recommendation must be submitted by each applicant. - Will my information be saved or stored so I can return to complete my application?
Yes, when the online application becomes available you will set up an account in the Scholarship Platform HA uses, AwardSpring. Or, if you applied in previous years, you will log in to your existing account. You will be able to save your information and return to the website to complete your application, prior to the submission deadline. - Do I need a reference to be considered for this scholarship?
This application requires a Letter of Recommendation from someone who can share important insight about your character. The recommender must be from a school official, instructor, clergy member, work supervisor, athletic coach, or another person who knows you well but is not related to you. - Can I have more than one Letter of Recommendation?
No. You can only submit one Letter of Recommendation. - How do I submit my application?
Completing all tabs of the online application will enable the "Submit Application" button in the lower right corner. Click it to submit your application. Please note, that you will not qualify for a scholarship until you select the "Submit Application" button. - How will I know if my application has been received?
The Scholarship Platform HA uses, AwardSpring, sends an automatic email to applicants once they've submitted their application. This is sent to the email that is attached to your account. - Can you receive the award more than once?
No. You can only be awarded a scholarship once. - Will all applicants receive a scholarship?
No, there are many more deserving and qualified applicants than awards that can be granted, due to limited funding. This makes it a very competitive process. - How many scholarships are awarded?
Each year, HA offers twelve scholarships. However, the number of awarded scholarships may vary each year depending on available funding. - What is the award amount?
The award amount is $1,000 US Dollars. - When will awards notifications be sent?
Notifications will be sent by the end of November to the email address attached to the applicant's account, whether or not they were selected. - If I am selected, what are the next steps?
Selected recipients will have 10 days to return HA’s Scholarship Release Form, a high-quality photo (PNG preferred), and if not already submitted, proof of hydrocephalus diagnosis by a current treating medical provider (e.g., neurosurgeon, neurologist, primary care physician, internist, nurse, PA, etc.). - What if someone doesn’t accept their award?
In the event an initial award recipient can no longer accept their award or fails to submit the required documentation, alternate recipients will be notified.
About Scholarship Funding
The Association is grateful to the following donors who generously fund these scholarships.
Past Scholarship Recipients
Read more about the recipients of the Hydrocephalus Association's Scholarship program.
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