Q: How do I apply for an ASSP Foundation scholarship?
A: Applications are accepted October 15, 2022 through February 15, 2023 through the online application.
Q: Do I need to be an ASSP member in order to be eligible?
A: ASSP membership is not required but preferred and, in most cases, ASSP members will receive priority. A one-year student membership costs only $15 and can be secured through assp.org/membership.
Q: Can I apply for both a scholarship and a grant?
A: Yes, if you are seeking support for your college coursework through the scholarship program as well as support for conference or certification expenses through the grant program.
If you are enrolled in an OSH-related degree program and are planning on supporting your career in the OSH profession with your degree, you should apply for an academic scholarship. College coursework is not covered by professional education grants.
Both occupational safety and health students and occupational safety and health professionals are eligible for ASSP Foundation professional education grants. If you are seeking support for certification expenses, conference attendance, webinar attendance, workshop attendance, and similar professional development support, you should apply for a professional education grant.
Q: What are the minimum requirements to apply for an ASSP Foundation scholarship?
A: You must be enrolled in an OSH-related degree program and taking courses in the 2022-2023 academic year, with at least three (3) credit hours in progress. You may be earning your associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s degree, or be enrolled in a doctorate program.
Q: What does “OSH-related degree” mean?
A: The core degrees required for eligibility are those specifically related to occupational safety and health (OSH). There is a list of common degree programs included within the application. If your degree is not specifically an OSH-related degree, you are still eligible to apply for ASSP Foundation scholarships. You will be asked to make the case about how you will utilize your degree to support the occupational safety and health profession as an OSH professional. Demonstrating a vested interest in occupational safety and health will establish your eligibility for our scholarships.
Q: I'm a senior in high school, am I eligible for any of the ASSP Foundation scholarships?
A: No, you must be enrolled in an OSH-related degree program with at least three (3) credit hours in progress for this academic year.
Q: Are ASSP Foundation scholarships offered to individuals who are not United States citizens?
A: Citizenship is not a requirement for any scholarship. All academic scholarships are available to students enrolled in OSH-related degrees who are studying and living in the United States.
Q: Are ASSP Foundation scholarships offered to students studying outside of the United States?
A: Due to federal and international taxation and regulations, scholarships are not available to students studying outside of the United States.
Q: If I already received an ASSP Foundation scholarship in previous years, am I eligible to apply again?
A: Yes, you can apply for scholarships every year that you are enrolled in an OSH-related degree at the college level.
Q: If I want to apply for more than one scholarship, do I need to fill out more than one application?
A: No, by completing the online application, you will automatically be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.
Q: What materials must I submit as a part of this application?
A: You will need to collect the following items and submit them directly through the online application.
- Transcript(s): A transcript is required for every level of education you have received, as well as a current transcript showing your current academic status. Transcripts do not need to be the official transcripts and may be the transcript downloaded from your university’s student portal. If you are enrolled in a graduate or doctorate program, you will need to include your undergraduate transcript that reflects your undergraduate GPA and graduation status.
- Letter(s) of Recommendation: At least one current letter of recommendation is required. Letters are an important piece of the review and scoring of applications, so you are highly encouraged to submit three letters of recommendation. It is highly recommended that you include a letter of recommendation from your department chair or a professor in your current program. Do not submit letters that are not current. You are responsible for requesting, collecting and uploading current letters of recommendation. Only letters submitted through the online application will be accepted.
Q: I am currently enrolled but have no GPA or transcript yet. What should I do?
A: Please submit in-progress transcript from your fall coursework. You can find this in your university’s online student services portal. Make sure you have at least three (3) graduate credits in-progress.
Q: May I submit a letter of recommendation from a colleague and/or supervisor?
A: Yes, you may do this but keep in mind that the review committee places a higher value on letters of recommendation from your program chair or professor.
Q: How do my recommenders submit their letters of recommendation?
A: You will collect letters and submit them yourself through the online application. Your recommenders will not have access to the portal.
Q: May I mail or email my application or materials required for my application?
A: No, you must complete and submit your application materials through the online application.
Q: Are there essay questions on the application?
A: Yes. There are at least five required short answer pieces, with a limit of 500 words each.
- What drew you to the field of safety and how has your education affected your views of the field?
- What goals do you have for yourself, both in school and beyond, and what plans to do you have for reaching them?
- What leadership and volunteer positions have you taken within the safety community and what positions do you envision in the future?
- What is the greatest takeaway from your current year in school? What will you do with that knowledge to impact people throughout your career?
- What makes you stand out as an applicant?
Take your time, and thoughtfully and clearly answer the questions. A big part of how applicants are rated comes from how you answer the short-answer questions. Reviewers are looking for your passion for the profession, and how you have and will play a part in enhancing the future of the profession. Be specific. This is the time to brag!
Q: How are applications reviewed?
A: Reviewers rate applications based on:
- Academic performance such as GPA and curriculum rigor (based on your transcripts)
- Leadership activity in ASSP and the broader safety community (based on your answers to essay questions)
- Motivations for entering the field and how you plan on achieving your goals as an OSH professional (based on your answers to essay questions)
- Letters of recommendation that speak to the above aspects (at least one required but get up to three if you can!)
Q: If I am selected for a scholarship, how will I be notified and when will I receive the funds?
A: All applicants will be notified by email of awarding status by May 15, 2023. Please note: awarding notifications and confirmation requests will be sent via email to the address used in your application. Be sure you have used an email address that you use on a regular basis.
Those selected for an academic scholarship will be required accept the award, submit thank you letters to the donor(s) of their scholarship, and must confirm mailing address through the awarding portal. Payment is made directly to the awardee, not the university. Additional details will be included in the confirmation email. If you are awarded and do not complete the requirements within the timeframe allotted, you risk losing the award completely.
