Scholarship Eligibility Requirements and Application

FHIMA is pleased to announce a continued support of individuals pursuing Health Information Management careers.  FHIMA has again voted to provide scholarships this year to students enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate studies related to the Health Information Management field.   The Charlotte Stockton Memorial Scholarship provides financial assistance to those enrolled in AHIMA approved coding certificate programs.

Eligibility Information

Eligibility Requirements for Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships:

• Currently enrolled in an AHIMA approved Health Information Management Program or Health Information Technology Program

• Graduate level degree seeking program relevant to H.I.M. (Graduate applicants must be either an RHIA or RHIT and have a Bachelor’s Degree)

• Overall minimum GPA of 3.0

• Current membership in AHIMA/FHIMA

Eligibility Requirements for the Charlotte Stockton Memorial Scholarship:

This scholarship provides financial assistance to FHIMA members seeking to become a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or a Certified Coding Specialist – Physician Based (CCS-P)

• Currently enrolled in AHIMA approved coding certificate program to become a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or a Certified Coding Specialist – Physician Based (CCS-P)

• Overall minimum GPA of 3.0

• Current membership in AHIMA/FHIMA

Application Information

Application

Reference Letter Form
  (Minimum of 2 - references will be verified)

Educational Enrollment Verification Form
  (Completed by program director and will be verified)

Applicant Instructions:

Your completed scholarship application, required reference letters, and educational enrollment verification submissions must be received by the FHIMA Scholarship Chairperson no later than March 22, 2013.

Please note that you will have the ability to save the application and return to work on it again at a later time.

Required Components:

1. Completed application to include:
   1. Copy of AHIMA Current Membership Card (upload when completing application)
   2. Official (certified by registrar) transcript for each college/university attended (upload when completing application)
2. Reference letters
   (Minimum of 2 - references will be verified)
   
3. Educational Enrollment Verification Form
   (Completed by program director and will be verified)

Scholarship Selection

FHIMA utilizes a point system to evaluate scholarship applicants.  Scholarship Committee members will review the applications for the following criteria:

1. Properly completed application -- with attachments present
2. Scholastic ability -- official transcripts will be reviewed. Must have overall minimum GPA of 3.0.
3. Leadership ability -- the resume and/or other documents will be reviewed.  The following areas will be considered: awards/honors, previous/current employment (if any), school activities, volunteer work etc.
4. Potential contribution to the profession --  the essay titled “How I Plan to Achieve My Long Range Professional/Career Goals” (undergraduate, Charlotte Stockton Memorial Scholarship)) or career objectives (graduate) will be reviewed.
5. Professionalism – supporting letters and professional organization membership.

Scholarships will be awarded at the FHIMA Annual Convention.  Scholarship recipients will be notified in writing of their award.  Scholarship recipients are encouraged to be present at the Annual Convention Membership Luncheon to accept the award.