2024 Scholarship Application Tips & Essay Questions

1. Gather application materials early.

Give yourself plenty of time to complete each step. All application materials must be uploaded in PDF format. Application questions must be answered before advancing to the next question. Incomplete applications will not be accepted after May 31st, 2024.

2. Request letters of recommendation early.
Your application will require you to upload two PDF letters of recommendation. One of your references must be from an educator. Think carefully about who should write these letters and choose people who can speak to your professional and academic performance. Give your recommenders an advance notice so they have time to write the letter and be sure to follow up if needed.

3. Write powerful essays. 
Think carefully about the question being asked and use this opportunity to tell the selection committee things about you that might not be shown elsewhere in the application. Get help with editing for grammar and spelling, but make it your own. We want to hear from you, personally.

2024 Required Essay Questions

(Min word count: 300 / Max: 500 for each question)

• We know education doesn’t occur solely in the classroom. Tell us about your employment, volunteer, and/or extracurricular activities. How have these activities prepared you or piqued your interest in the health information field?
• Tell us about your experience navigating digital technology to manage your own health (i.e., using a hospital website, patient portal, health app, etc.) What made it easy? What made it difficult? What changes would you recommend to the developers?
• What specific area of health information interests you most and why? For example, what problem do you want to help solve? What area are you most passionate about?
• Given AI and the increased use of technology to provide and manage care, how do you see the health information profession and AHIMA evolving over the next 20 years? What do you think your job, as a health information professional, might look like in 20 years?

4. Review/update your information.

Obtain the most recent copy of your transcript, and collect the school’s financial department contact information (email, phone number).

5. Meet all application deadlines.
Use a calendar or planner, make a schedule, and stick to it. If you miss a deadline, even by just one day, you may not be considered.

6. Reach out for help!  

AHIMA Foundation staff is here to help you. Email us at info@ahimafoundaiton.org with any questions.