Frequently Asked Questions
1. The application says my health information management (HIM) or health information technology (HIT) undergraduate program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). How can I verify that my undergraduate program is CAHIIM accredited?
2. If I am not a member of AHIMA but I am enrolled in an undergraduate accredited HIM or HIT program, can I still apply for an award?
3. If I am currently enrolled in my last semester/term, can I still apply for a scholarship?
4. My grade point average (GPA) is less than 3.5 (out of 4.0), can I still apply?
5. How is grade point average (GPA) calculated?
6. As a student in the AHIMA Coding Basics Program, may I apply for a scholarship?
7. Do any scholarships require special qualifications?
8. Are there other scholarships or loans available to me?
9. How do I demonstrate my current enrollment status?
10. If I am not a member of AHIMA but I am enrolled in an undergraduate accredited HIM or HIT program, can I still apply for an award?
11. Do I need to include a resume with my application?
12. Are references required?
13. What are unofficial transcripts?
14. How do I send my unofficial transcripts to the AHIMA Foundation?
15. Do I have my letters of reference sent directly to the AHIMA Foundation or will the Foundation contact the references?
16. Can I call to verify if my application has been received?
17. When are recipients notified about scholarship awards? Is the check sent to the school?
18. How many scholarships are awarded?
19. Is my financial situation taken into consideration when awarding scholarships?
20. Can I receive more than one award per year?
1. The application says my health information management (HIM) or health information technology (HIT) undergraduate program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). How can I verify that my undergraduate program is CAHIIM accredited?
Visit the CAHIIM Program Directory to determine whether your undergraduate program is accredited.
2. If I am not a member of AHIMA but I am enrolled in an undergraduate accredited HIM or HIT program, can I still apply for an award?
No. All applicants must be an Active or Student member of AHIMA. Applicants will need to provide their membership ID number for the application. To apply for AHIMA membership go online to the AHIMA website (www.ahima.org) or click here to find out more about AHIMA membership. After submitting your membership application, fee and receiving your membership identification number, you are then eligible to apply for an award.
3. If I am currently enrolled in my last semester/term, can I still apply for a scholarship?
No. Applicants must have at least six credit hours in which to register after the date of the award, December 31, 2011.
4. My grade point average (GPA) is less than 3.5 (out of 4.0), can I still apply?
No, applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point of 3.5 (out of 4.0) or 4.5 (out of 5.0) for their last 24 credits take before applying.
5. How is grade point average (GPA) calculated?
GPA is calculated by multiplying the grade value of the course (e.g., A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0) by the number of hours for that course. The product of this multiplication will be the grade points. Divide the cumulative grade points of your last 24 credits by the 24 credits taken.
6. As a student in the AHIMA Coding Basics Program, may I apply for a scholarship?
Coding Basics students are not eligible to apply for AHIMA Foundation Merit scholarships.
7. Do any scholarships require special qualifications?
Most scholarships are available to all eligible applicants. A few scholarships specify a preference for applicants with certain criteria (diversity, second career, state of residence, etc.) You will be considered for all those for which you qualify, simply by completing the scholarship application once. A few scholarships have additional essay questions to help score the applicants. For the listing of special awards see the section on AHIMA Foundation Scholarships with Specialty Criteria.
8. Are there other scholarships or loans available to me?
The AHIMA Foundation does not offer any additional loans or scholarship outside of the Merit Scholarships. Applicants should contact their local HIM association or component state association, program director, or financial aid office about other available scholarships.
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9. How do I demonstrate my current enrollment status?
The online application system has a notification feature whereby you enter the name and email address of your Program Director who will verify you current enrollment. The notification is sent to the Program Director by email. No formal letter verifying your enrollment is needed. Program Director confirmation is due by September 30, 2011. Students can check their online application for the status of this material.
10. If my program director is not available to verify my enrollment, may I have an instructor sign it?
No. Verification of enrollment forms must be confirmed by the program director via the online application system. Please notify your program director as early as possible to avoid problems completing your application.
11. Do I need to include a resume with my application?
Yes. Applicants must attach a resume to their application. Please attach resumes in the “Professional and Volunteer” section of the application.
12. Are references required?
Yes. We ask that you provide contact information for two individuals who will provide a reference for you. One recommendation must be from an educator. The inability to provide two references will make the application incomplete.
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13. What are unofficial transcripts?
Unofficial transcripts report the same course and grade information as the official transcripts. However, they are not considered official because they do not have the official university seal imprinted on them and are not suitable for transfer purposes. Applicants should check with the school’s registrar office for details on requesting unofficial transcripts.
14. How do I send my unofficial transcripts to the AHIMA Foundation?
Unofficial transcripts must be attached by the student to the online application before the September 30, 2011 deadline for the application to be considered completed. Applicants should upload a PDF copy of their transcripts directly to the online application. Transcripts sent to the Foundation will not be accepted.
15. Do I have my letters of reference sent directly to the AHIMA Foundation or will the Foundation contact the references?
The online application system has a notification feature whereby applicants enter the name and email address of the person who will provide a reference electronically. The notification is sent to the reference by email. Responses from references are due by September 30, 2011. Formal letters of reference sent to the Foundation will not be accepted.
16. Can I call to verify if my application has been received?
You will receive an automated e-mail verification once the application has been completed and submitted. There will be no need to call the Foundation office to verify receipt of applications.
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17. When are recipients notified about scholarship awards? Is the check sent to the school?
Scholarship recipients will be notified by November 30, 2011 for the 2011 awards. Notification letters are e-mailed to all applicants. Recipients of awards will be asked to write a short biographical statement to use to notify sponsors. Award checks will be mailed directly to scholarship recipients by December 30, 2011.
18. How many scholarships are awarded?
The number of scholarships awarded each year varies. In 2010, 72 scholarships were awarded.
19. Is my financial situation taken into consideration when awarding scholarships?
No. AHIMA Foundation scholarships are merit based, and are awarded on the following criteria: grade point average and academic achievement, volunteer and work experience, commitment to the HIM profession, quality and relevance of references provided, and completeness and clarity of application.
20. Can I receive more than one award per year?
No, but applicants may reapply in the following year(s) with a new application.
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The following is a list of essay questions which appear on the application for AHIMA Foundation scholarships. They are provided here only as examples; essay questions need to be answered as part of the online application process. Note all essay questions are required, unless otherwise noted as optional, should the applicant wish to be considered for scholarships awarded based on specific requirements.
For all applicants
What do you see as current and upcoming challenges in the field of health information management (HIM)?
What changes do you see happening in the field in order to meet these challenges and/or what changes do you realize must take place in order to meet these challenges?
What are your long-term professional objectives?
Optional questions for all applicants
To apply for any of the diversity scholarships please write an essay that addresses the AHIMA Foundation diversity guidelines.
Have you volunteered at the local HIM level, for your Component State Association, or for AHIMA?
If you have not served as an Association volunteer, indicate if you have served voluntarily in other capacities through your employment or otherwise that you feel have in turn benefitted you personally. Outline how your contributions led to your professional growth, and how that volunteerism will enhance your effectiveness in your HIM career.
Can you describe how your HIM career interactions exhibit integrity, trust, respect, exceptional service, and stewardship? Do you make time in your life for community and fun? Outline your thoughts about these core values.
For undergraduate degree/certificate applicants only
If you consider yourself a second-career student attending school for a HIM degree or post-baccalaureate certificate, please provide a brief explanation of why you chose this field, along with an overview of the other fields in which you have worked. (Optional)
What skills have you gained in your past or present employment that prepare you for a position in the HIM field?
For master's/doctoral level applicants only
Please write an essay describing how this degree will help you to advance the HIM field.
If you are a credentialed AHIMA member pursuing a JD degree you are eligible to apply for the Dot Wagg Memorial Scholarship. In a short essay, please describe how you will apply your legal training to the advancement of the HIM field. If you are a credentialed AHIMA member pursuing another doctoral degree related to HIM practice you may also be eligible (discretion of the Scholarship Review Committee.) Describe how you plan to utilize your PhD to further the HIM profession. (Optional)
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