The Mary Free Bed Guild Scholarship

History
The Mary Free Bed Guild created the Guild Scholarship Program in 2013 for people who meet challenges similar to those faced by the patients Mary Free Bed treats.

Award
An individual is eligible to apply for a one-year scholarship for tuition, room and board if he or she meets the established criteria. The scholarship amounts may vary depending on individual needs.

Recipient Selection
The scholarship selection committee includes the Mary Free Bed Guild and hospital leaders who select scholarship recipients based on the established criteria.

Eligibility Criteria:

The program will use modified SAI recipient finalist selection criteria including the consideration of:

• academic performance,
• demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities,
• work experience,
• the answer to one of two short essay questions demonstrating a commitment to either improving health fairness to underserved or underrepresented communities or demonstrating how the candidate’s future goals are impacting the candidate as a person with a disability
• a 1,000-character personal statement
• an online recommendation

Short Essay Questions (answer one of the following):

Question Option 1: 

Discuss your past experiences and future aspirations in supporting improved health outcomes for traditionally underserved or underrepresented populations. Include specific examples of your engagement with these communities, the challenges faced, and strategies used to promote health fairness. Additionally, outline your vision for how you plan to further support these populations in your career.

Question Option 2: 

Reflect on your journey as a person with a disability and how this experience has shaped your future goals. In your essay, please discuss the specific ways your challenges and triumphs have informed your aspirations, motivated your personal growth, and influenced your commitment to making a positive impact in your community. How do you envision your future career or academic pursuits contributing to the broader conversation around disability?

Personal statement:  Describe your career and education goals and share any unique personal, family, or community circumstances and how you overcame those circumstances and hope to improve similar circumstances in the future for your community

Assuming there are qualified applicants, preference will be given to individuals who have overcome challenging societal and community conditions and are candidates in the following majors/fields of study:  nursing, therapeutic recreation, orthotics or prosthetics, physical therapy, occupational therapy, neuropsychology or speech language pathology.

SAI will select up to twenty (20) finalists.  Provided qualified applications are received, SAI will select up to ten (10) finalists with disabilities (Ability Award) and up to ten (10) finalists who have overcome societal and/or personal challenges through determination and hard work (Access Award).

SAI will request video submissions (YouTube URL) from applicants on application.  Sponsor will view and evaluate videos.

Sponsor will select recipients and determine award amounts.  All award determinations and/or finalist selections shall comply with Federal anti-discrimination and civil rights laws and regulations.