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 2024-2025 program is generously funded by the Dr. and Mrs. Walter J. Winterhoff Endowed Scholarship Fund and the Dr. Smriti Bardhan Scholarship Fund.

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.  

All eligible applicants complete an online application, including written prompts covering impact of rheumatic disease, educational and future goals, and Arthritis Foundation and 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 2025.

Eligible recipients may reapply annually (up to 4 years total) to be considered for the upcoming academic year. Return awardees must annually reapply and must maintain eligibility to be considered for multiple awards.