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 now accepting scholarship applications. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on April 15, 2026.

We are proud to offer a total of 13 scholarships this year, each in the amount of $1,000. Please note that the number of scholarships awarded may vary each year depending on available funding.

For full details about the Scholarship Program, including the application process, eligibility requirements, criteria, and frequently asked questions, please review the information below. If you have any questions, you can reach us at scholarship@hydroassoc.org.

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Tips for Applying

Application Process

Applying For Scholarship

Submitting Letter of Recommendation

Please ask your recommender to email your recommendation letter directly to: scholarship@hydroassoc.org.
- 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.

Submitting Hydrocephalus Diagnosis Verification

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.). 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

Eligibility and Criteria

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 resident of the United States.
Applicants should either have plans to start school in the fall or already be enrolled in college, trade school, or another accredited educational program at the time of applying.
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 educational 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 to award the scholarships.

FAQ's

How do I access the application?
The 2026 Scholarship Cycle is open. You can access the application by clicking here.
What is the deadline to submit my application and letter of recommendation?
All applications and recommendation letters must be submitted by April 15, 2026, at 11:59 pm Eastern.
What is the application process?
Each applicant will complete an online Google Form application, including general information and essay questions. One Letter of Recommendation is required and must be emailed directly by your recommender to scholarship@hydroassoc.org by the deadline.
Will my information be saved or stored so I can return to complete my application?
No. You cannot save your progress in the Google Form. You must complete and submit the entire application in one session. After submitting, you will receive an automatic confirmation email that includes a link allowing you to edit your responses if needed before the deadline.
How can I prepare for the application process?
Review the essay questions before applying. We recommend drafting your responses in a separate Word or Google document. You can download the prep document, which includes all essay questions, by clicking here.
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. Only one letter of recommendation will be accepted.
How do I submit my application?
Complete all required sections of the Google Form and click Submit at the end. You will receive an automatic confirmation email. All applications must be finalized by the deadline.
How will I know if my application has been received?
Google Forms will send an automatic confirmation email once your application is submitted. The email will also include a link to edit your responses before the deadline.
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 13 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?
If an initial award recipient can no longer accept their award or fails to submit the required documentation, alternate recipients will be notified.