ABC O&P Technician Diversity Scholarship

The O&P Foundation has partnered with the American Board of Certification for Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics (ABC) to provide scholarships to Orthotic and Prosthetic (O&P) technician students who are currently enrolled at O&P technician education institutions that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). ABC Scholarships for O&P Technician Diversity include a $5,000 cash award. Up to 2 ABC Scholarships for O&P Technician Diversity may be given annually.  

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student in a CAAHEP-accredited O&P technician program and meet all of the the following criteria:

• Completed at least one semester or two quarters of a CAAHEP-accredited O&P technician program

• Applicant must be a member of a racial or ethnic population (i.e., Asian American, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Native American or Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander) that is underrepresented in O&P

• Applicant must be a US citizen or legal permanent resident

Applicants' applications will be reviewed by a committee of educators and clinical experts appointed by The Foundation's Education Committee. Eligible students may apply for both the O&P Technician Student Scholarship and Scholarship for O&P Technician Diversity. However, students are only eligible to receive one ABC Scholarship (O&P Technician Student Scholarship or Scholarship for O&P Technician Diversity). Students who apply for both scholarships will be asked to indicate their preference if they are selected to receive both scholarships. Students may apply directly for the scholarship, or a professor may nominate them.

How to Apply

Create an account in the O&P Foundation Application Portal, then select the “ABC O&P Technician Diversity Scholarships” program application and follow portal instructions.

1. Author a (500 word or less) personal statement

   1. • Applicant should describe how their presence in the profession will impact O&P care.

2. Obtain an official or unofficial transcript (that includes the current academic semester) from your institution

   1. •  Official transcripts are not required; however, unofficial transcripts must be signed by the Program Director or Faculty Advisor.

      • Transcript must include cumulative O&P Technician Program GPA.

3. Obtain a letter of recommendation from a faculty member of the program in which applicant is enrolled

   1. • The letter of recommendation should indicate why the applicant is a strong candidate for an ABC O&P Technician Diversity Scholarship

4. Obtain a letter of recommendation from a non-faculty individual such as an employer, volunteer work supervisor, mentor, coach, or religious leader

   1. • The letter of recommendation should indicate why the applicant is a strong candidate for an ABC O&P Technician Diversity Scholarship

5. Prepare resume

   1. • Resume should include information regarding education, work experience, volunteer activities, honors, and awards.

     7. Upload and Submit application materials to The O&P Foundation's application portal.

Submission 

Applicants are responsible for ensuring all materials are submitted by 5:00pm Central Time on the posted deadline.

Applications closed for 2024

Questions

If you have any questions about the ABC Scholarship for O&P Diversity, please contact info@oandpfoundation.org.