FAQs About AHIMA Foundation's Scholarship Program

As the philanthropic arm of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), AHIMA Foundation has a storied history of providing financial assistance for aspiring and currently enrolled outstanding health information professionals pursuing associate's, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees in health information management or health informatics.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How can I verify my program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM)? 

Visit the CAHIIM Program Directory to determine whether your program is accredited. 

If I am not a member of AHIMA but am enrolled in a program accredited by CAHIIM, can I still apply for an AHIMA Foundation scholarship? 

No. All applicants must be active or student members of AHIMA.

• To apply for AHIMA membership, visit www.ahima.org/membership for more information. After submitting your membership application and fee, and upon receiving your membership identification number, you are then eligible to apply for a scholarship.
• If you are a veteran or the spouse of a veteran, the Walter Reed Society will sponsor the cost of your AHIMA student membership. Email info@ahimafoundation.org for more information about this new opportunity! 

If I am currently enrolled in my last semester/term, can I still apply for a scholarship? 

No. Applicants must have at least twelve credit hours in which to register after the date of the award, August 15. 

My grade point average (GPA) is less than 3.5 (out of 4.0), can I still apply?  

No, applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point of 3.5 (out of 4.0) or 4.5 (out of 5.0). 

Are references required? 

Yes. We ask you to provide contact information for two individuals who will provide a reference for you. You will be required to upload letters of recommendation from these individuals. One recommendation must be from an educator. The inability to provide two references will make the application incomplete. 

What are unofficial transcripts? 

Unofficial transcripts report the same course and grade information as the official transcripts. However, they are not considered official, because they do not have the official university seal imprinted on them and are not suitable for transfer purposes. Check with your school Registrar's Office for details on requesting your unofficial transcripts. 

How do I send my unofficial transcripts to AHIMA Foundation? 

Unofficial transcripts (PDF files) must be uploaded directly to your online application before the May 31 deadline for the application to be considered complete. Transcripts sent to the Foundation will not be accepted. 

How do I verify if my application has been received?  

You will receive an automated e-mail verification once your application has been completed and submitted.   

When are recipients notified about scholarship awards? Is the check sent to the school?  

Scholarship recipients will be notified in August of the current awards cycle. Notification letters are e-mailed to all applicant emails listed on the application. Awards will be sent directly to their school by September 30th. 

How many scholarships are awarded? 

The number of scholarships awarded each year varies. For example:

• In 2021, AHIMA Foundation awarded $65,000 in scholarships to 28 students for the 2021–2022 academic year.
• In 2022, AHIMA Foundation awarded $81,000 in scholarships to 15 students for the 2022-2023 academic year.
• In 2023, AHIMA Foundation awarded $87,000 in scholarships to 16 students for
  the 2023-2024 academic year.

Can I receive more than one award per year? 

You may apply to receive one scholarship award per academic degree. 

Who funds AHIMA Foundation's scholarship program? 

Scholarships for the next generation of health information professionals are made possible by generous donations. Consider making a tax-deductible donation to support this program at ahimafoundation.org/make-a-donation/.