American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) Scholarship Program 2010-2011

The mission of the American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) is to contribute to national, state, and local efforts to promote health and wellness in people with disabilities and identify effective intervention strategies that reduce health disparities between people with disabilities and the general population. AAHD accomplishes its mission through research, education and advocacy at the national, state and community level.

 In 2008, AAHD launched the Disability and Health Journal (DHJ), the first peer reviewed, scientific, scholarly and multidisciplinary journal that focuses on health promotion and wellness for people with disabilities. In 2009, AAHD created the AAHD Scholarship Program, which will support students with disabilities who are pursuing higher education. Preference will be given to students who plan to pursue undergraduate/graduate studies in the field of public health, health promotion, disability studies, to include disability policy and disability research. Royalties from the DHJ will fund the first year of the AAHD Scholarship Fund.

 Scholarships will be limited to under $1,000. The AAHD Board of Directors Scholarship Committee will evaluate each of the applicants and make a decision in December of each calendar year. The AAHD Scholarship Awards will be awarded in January 2011. It is the discretion of the Scholarship Committee to determine how many scholarships will be awarded each year and the amount of each scholarship.

The AAHD board and staff are excited to be able to launch this program and support the efforts and dedication of students who have chosen to pursue higher education in the field of disability.

 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM CRITERIA
Applicant must be a high school graduate, have a documented disability and provide documentation of their disability. Application must be a US citizen or legal resident living in the US and enrolled in, or accepted by, an accredited US four-year university or graduate school on a full-time basis. Preference will be given to students majoring in public health, disability studies, health promotion or a field related to disability and health.

 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant must provide a Personal Statement (maximum 3 pages-double spaced), including brief personal history, educational/career goals, extracurricular activities, and reasons why he or she should be selected by the AAHD Scholarship Committee. This statement must be written solely by the applicant.

 Applicant must provide three Letters of Recommendation (One must be from a teacher or academic advisor).

 Applicant must provide an official copy of college transcript.

 Applicant must agree to allow AAHD to use their name, picture and/or story in future scholarship materials.

 Please email applications to: contact@aahd.us. Place “2010 Scholarship” in subject line.

 Application must be submitted no later than Nov. 15, 2010. Only completed applications will be considered.

 Please email Roberta Carlin, AAHD Executive Director at rcarlin@aahd.us or call (301) 545-6140 Ext. 206 for more information.

 -30-