HIMSS Indiana Chapter Scholarship Program 2020-2021

Purpose: To provide financial assistance and recognition to qualified students in accredited programs in health management, health information technology, management programs with a health focus, or technology programs with a focus in healthcare information technology.

Objective: Present two (2) scholarship awards to deserving applicants who are attending accredited programs while enrolled in a program affiliated with an Indiana-based academic institution.

Program Structure:

A two thousand five hundred-dollar scholarships ($2,500) will be offered to two selected students. One in a graduate program (to include Master or Doctorate) and the other in an undergraduate program. Recipients will be provided with a complimentary student membership in the Indiana Chapter of HIMSS for the 2020-2021 fiscal year (Additional value of $30) and be able to attend HIMSS Indiana Chapter sponsored events at no cost.

Scholarships will be offered to students in the following types of programs:

• Health information management/technology

• Health management, with a focus in information management/technology

• Clinical programs with a focus in information management/technology

• Health science programs with a focus in information management/technology

• Business management programs with a focus in health information management/technology

• Management science programs with a focus in health information management/technology

• Other types of degree programs which emphasize health information management/technology

Eligibility

Participation is open to students who are enrolled in a degree program in an accredited college or university who are either Indiana Residents or Non-Residents. Affiliate and Certificate programs are not eligible for award. Students must have completed at least one quarter or semester in their currently enrolled Healthcare Information Technology related degree program.

Award Criteria

• Submission of a scholarship application and related documents via email to indiana.president@himsschapter.org no later than midnight on Monday, November 30, 2020.

• Two to three letters of professional recommendation must accompany the application. These should include letters from superiors for whom the applicant has worked with and/or college professors with whom the applicant had studied under within the past three (3 years).

• A minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0. A most recent transcript(s) must be included with the scholarship application. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable

• Agree to provide photo should they win the Award.

• A short essay (500 - 750 words double spaced) that addresses the following questions:

  • Why is information management/technology important in healthcare today?

  • Why have you chosen the field?

  • What is a major issue facing the healthcare industry and how can information technology address the issue?

Criteria for Evaluation of application and award of scholarship will include:

• Meets or exceeds grade point criterion

• Quality of recommendations

• Quality of applicant essay

Requirement: The recipients of the scholarship will be required to serve as a volunteer on Programs Committee from July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022. Meetings are held via conference call. The scholarship students will be responsible for leading a student outreach event. Sign release allowing HIMSS to share photo, application information and content on website and in promotional materials

Recognition of awardees:

• Will be recognized at awards gala at the Global HIMSS Conference
• Will be recognized on web site, newsletters, and in person events

Schedule

The schedule for development and advertisement of the scholarship program and award of the scholarships for the 2020/2021 program year is as follows:

October 12, 2020               Application published to web site and process opens

November 30, 2020          Applications due at midnight

December 18, 2020           Review of applications and selection of award recipients

January 2021                      HIMSS Indiana Chapter Board approval of scholarship awards nominees

February 1, 2021                Award winner notified by email and/or phone call nominees

Questions? Questions or concerns about the scholarship application process can be directed to: indiana.president@himsschapter.org