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Athletic Training Scholarships

The scholarships listed below are specific to athletic training students. This list includes scholarships offered by GVSU and athletic training organizations. Click the button below to see all scholarships available at Grand Valley State University.

ITA Logo

Athletic Training Award of Excellence Scholarship

Iota Tau Alpha is an Athletic Training Education Honor Society. About 14 years ago, GVSU created a chapter whose faculty advisor is Dr. Brian Hatzel. Over those years, students have raised over $30,000. In 2019, the members of Iota Tau Alpha have decided to turn those funds into a scholarship titled the Athletic Training Student Excellence Scholarship. This scholarship's purpose is to support a student in the Master of Athletic Training Program who has excelled in the academic, clinical, and leadership aspects of the program and plans to pursue a career in athletic training.

The purpose of this scholarship is to recognize a current student in good standing in the Masters of Athletic Training (MAT) degree program who has excelled in the academic, clinical, and leadership aspects of the MAT, and plans to pursue a career in athletic training. To be eligible, students must:

  • Be admitted to the Master of Athletic Training (MAT) program at GVSU
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater
  • Have completed two semesters of coursework with the MAT program
  • Have at least one semester remaining in the MAT program

This scholarship may not be renewed.

Deadline: March 1 each year

Apply to the ITA Scholarship

Dan Chappell '20

Dan Chappell '85 Athletic Training Memorial Scholarship

To honor the memory of Dan Chappell, in 2020 the creation of the Dan Chappell '85 Athletic Training Memorial Scholarship was created to support athletic training students. Dan Chappell graduated from GVSU in 1985 with a teaching degree in physical education and athletic training. He was the head Athletic Trainer at East Kentwood High School for 35 years and was a vital Preceptor of the Grand Valley State University Athletic Training Program.

This scholarship aims to assist a student athletic training students in financial need with their pursuit of their Master of Athletic Training degree.

To qualify students must:

  • be accepted for or currently enrolled at Grand Valley State University (GVSU)
  • be a graduate student enrolled in the Masters of Athletic Training program
  • be meeting satisfactory academic progress (https://www.gvsu.edu/financialaid/satisfactory-academic-progress-sap-17.htm)
  • Financial need is required and will be demonstrated by the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

This scholarship may be renewed with reapplication.

Deadline: March 1 of every year

Apply to the Chappell Scholarship

Dr. Alvin & Monica Saake Foundation Fund

This scholarship is named for Dr. Alvin Saake, a former coach of the University of Hawai'i basketball team in the 1950's and 60's who passed away in 2003. His commitment to higher education lives on in this scholarship. Recipients are chosen for your interest in the fields of Kinesiology, Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Leisure Science, or other related fields.

Requirements:

  • Be a college junior, senior, or graduate student.
  • Major in Kinesiology, Leisure Science, Physical Education, Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Sports Medicine, Physical Therapy or Occupational Therapy.
  • Be a resident of the State of Hawaii.
  • Demonstrate financial need.
  • Attend an accredited two or four-year college or university.
  • Be a full-time student.
  • Maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA.

​​​​​​​Deadline: March 1

Apply to the Saake Scholarship

GLATA Scholarships

Great Lakes Athletic Trainers' Association Scholarships

The GLATA offers several scholarships that students can apply for through the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA)

  • GLATA Living Pinky Newell Graduate Scholarship
  • GLATA Living Pinky Newell Undergraduate Scholarship
  • GLATA Living Memorial Graduate Scholarship
  • Linda Weber Daniel Memorial Scholarship
  • Z. Mel Blickenstaff Memorial Scholarship

Deadlines: Applications are open from November through the third week in January.

Apply to the GLATA Scholarships

 

PFATS Athletic Training Student Scholarships

As part of its commitment to advance the athletic training profession, PFATS allocates funding, resources and voluntary efforts toward special programs and services of its members to a variety of NATA programs and services. PFATS currently awards four $2,000 scholarships for athletic training students annually at the NATA's William E. Newell Student Athletic Trainer Awards Luncheon. The first PFATS Scholarship was established in 1983. There are eight PFATS available: Dean Kleinschmidt Scholarship, William Tessendorf Scholarship, Edward Block Scholarship, Larry "Stosh" Neumann Undergraduate Scholarship, Jerry Rhea Scholarship, John Norwig Scholarship, Robert H. “Bobby” Gunn Scholarship, and Steve “Greek” Antonopulos Scholarship.

Requirements:

  • Be enrolled in a CAATE accredited entry-level master's program that concludes with a master's degree
  • Have a cumulative overall GPA of at least 3.2 (based on a 4.0 maximum)
  • Plan on pursuing a career as a certified athletic trainer

Deadline: Applications open in November and go through January 15.

 Apply to the PFATS Scholarship

CATS Family Scholarship

In 2003, the College Athletic Trainers Society (CATS) created the CATS Family Scholarship. The scholarship is rewarded to the son or daughter of a CATS member. Four scholarships, each in the amount of $2,000 for one academic year are awarded to qualifying applicants enrolled full-time at a college or university for the upcoming year. Academic achievements, awards, activities, volunteer work, letters of recommendation and an essay are reviewed.

· Garnett "Moose" Detty CATS Family Scholarship (sponsored by Pro Orthopedics)

· Otho Davis CATS Family Scholarship (sponsored by BuzzeoPDMA, Inc.)

· Johnson & Johnson CATS Family Scholarship (sponsored by Johnson & Johnson)

Deadline: April 15th of each year

Apply to the CATS Family Scholarship 

The Chuck Kimmel First-Time NATA Attendee Award

The purpose of the Chuck Kimmel First-Time Attendee Award is to honor the outstanding man and athletic trainer that is Chuck Kimmel. Mr. Kimmel has provided students with opportunity throughout his career as an educator, head athletic trainer and NATA president. As an extension of respect and gratitude, SLC offers the Chuck Kimmel First-Time Attendee Award to help more students attend the NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo. 

The expectation of this award is to assist athletic training students who have never attended the annual NATA convention. This award will provide a total of $2,000 in award money to as many as four athletic training students, who have never attended the annual NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo. Chuck Kimmel First-Time Attendee Award applications will be accepted between February 15 and April 20.

To qualify, applicants must:

  • The applicant must be self-nominated.
  • Applicant must be enrolled in a CAATE accredited professional program and ineligible to sit for the BOC exam.
  • Applicant must have an NPI number by the application deadline (included on the application) unless an international student in which case this will be waived.
  • Applicant must be a first-time attendee to the NATA convention. This includes no participation in a previous in-person or virtual NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo.
  • Must currently be enrolled in a CAATE accredited athletic training program and in good standing within their athletic training program.
  • Application materials must be completed entirely. Incomplete applications will not continue through the selection process.
  • Application materials submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. CST April 20, 2024.
  • Applicant must be an NATA member in good standing at least two months prior to the award deadline.
  • Recipients will be selected by SLC and notified by the NATA SLC Outreach chair by May 1 of the deadline year.

Deadline: April 20, 2024

Apply for the NATA First-Time Attendee Award

Page last modified July 6, 2026