Arthritis Champions Scholarships

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 recipient who receives the highest score for their written prompt on Arthritis Foundation/arthritis community involvement and impact will receive the Ann Palmer Award, a designation in honor of the Arthritis Foundation’s president and CEO from 2013-2022.

The 2026-2027 program is generously funded by the Dr. and Mrs. Walter J. Winterhoff Endowed Scholarship Fund, the Elizabeth Hofert Dailey Trust 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?

The award amount is $5,000 per academic year. Eligible scholarship recipients may apply for up to 4 years total; funds must to be used towards tuition, books and other academic supplies only, and does not cover room and board. Payment is sent directly to the student’s academic institution and must be applied to expenses for the current academic year.

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?

The application process is open from early January to early March annually.  

What is the application process?

All eligible applicants complete an online application, including written prompts covering impact of arthritis or rheumatic disease, educational and future goals, and Arthritis Foundation and arthritis community involvement and impact. An unofficial or online transcript and an involvement reference must be submitted. Your reference will submit verification of your Arthritis Foundation or arthritis community involvement. A link to the application will be accessible on arthritis.org/scholarship in early January each year.

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, volunteer and/or other services to benefit the arthritis community.