Scholarships

GENERAL INFORMATION

The NWATA scholarships are:

Naseby Rhinehart Scholarship (Professional) - $1500

Richard Irvin Scholarship (Professional) - $1500

Bill Robertson Scholarship (Professional) - $1500

Bob Peterson Scholarship (Post-Professional) - $1500

St. Luke’s Scholarship (Professional or Post-Professional individual interested in an emerging athletic training setting) - $500

Scholarships are awarded to those who are continuing their education and funds will be provided upon proof of enrollment.

Applications will be available online beginning November 15. The deadline for complete applications to be received in full is February 1st.

Scholarship recipients will be notified of their award no later than February 21th.

The letters of recommendation must be emailed to NWATAscholarships@gmail.com. The subject line should be the applicant's name. Letters must also be received by the February 1st deadline.

Scholarship recipients will be recognized at NWATA Clinical Symposium during the business meeting held in March each year. It is recommended that scholarship recipients attend although it is not required to receive the awards.

Any questions about the NWATA Scholarship Program should be addressed to the Scholarship Chair Janelle Handlos at NWATAscholarships@gmail.com.

APPLICATION REVIEW AND SELECTION CRITERIA:

Complete applications will be reviewed by the members of the Scholarship Committee, and scored using a standard rubric: letters of recommendation (30%), intention to practice AT/short term and long term goals (20%), honors/awards (20%), leadership and service (professional and community) (30%). The Scholarship Chair will compile scores and applicants will be ranked.

SPECIFIC CRITERIA – PROFESSIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS:

The following represent minimum criteria to be considered for a Professional Scholarship:

Enrolled in a CAATE-accredited professional athletic training program located geographically within NWATA during the award year (2025-26). Students must provide proof of acceptance or enrollment (i.e. acceptance email/letter, email from program director, etc.)
Cumulative GPA 3.2 or higher
Current student membership in NWATA and NATA
Sponsorship by an Athletic Trainer who is a current member in good standing of the NWATA and NATA

The following information and items must be submitted to complete the application process:

Online application form which includes an upload of unofficial transcripts
Two letters of recommendation emailed by the recommender to NWATAscholarships@gmail.com. The subject line should be the applicant's name.
- ONE letter of recommendation must come from a professor, program director, clinical education coordinator, department head, or academic advisor.
- The SECOND letter of recommendation must come from a preceptor, team physician, or other healthcare professional who is familiar with the clinical performance potential of the applicant.
- The sponsoring athletic trainer must provide one of the above letters of recommendation.

SPECIFIC CRITERIA – POST-PROFESSIONAL (Masters or Doctoral) SCHOLARSHIPS:

The following represent minimum criteria to be considered for a Post-Professional Scholarship:

Currently a BOC certified and state credentialed athletic trainer OR eligible for BOC certification at the end of the current academic year.
Currently enrolled in a graduate-level degree program (i.e. DAT, PhD, EdD, fellowship, residency, MSAT/DPT dual degree pathway) with one or more years remaining at time of application.

Current membership in NWATA and NATA.
Sponsorship by an Athletic Trainer who is a current member in good standing of the NWATA and NATA.

The following information and items must be submitted to complete the application process:

Online application form which includes an upload of unofficial transcripts
Two letters of recommendation emailed by the recommender to NWATAscholarships@gmail.com. The subject line should be the applicant's name.
- ONE letter of recommendation must come from a professor, program director, clinical education coordinator, department head, or academic advisor.
- The SECOND letter of recommendation must come from a preceptor, team physician, or other healthcare professional who is familiar with the clinical performance of the applicant.
- The sponsoring athletic trainer must provide one of the above letters of recommendation.

Please direct scholarship questions to the NWATA Scholarship Committee Chair

Janelle Handlos, EdD, LAT, ATC

University of Montana Western

710 S. Atlantic Box 32

Dillon MT 59725

406-683-7392