Scholarship Program

AAWC is proud to offer scholarship opportunities to members.

If you are interested in applying, please read and understand all information before downloading an application form (found at the bottom of this page.)

Special thanks goes to the AAWC Treasurer (2000-2004), Nicholas Przystawski, DPM, FACFAS, and the past and current Boards of Directors and staff, without whose dedicated and tireless work this could not have been accomplished.

I. SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION AND AWARD DATES

Applications are accepted in a “rolling admissions” style, which means:

• Applications are accepted any day of the year. There is no application deadline.

• Applications are reviewed routinely and awards are given based upon application merit.

• Applicants have the option to “roll” their applications into the next review period if funds are not available at the time of submission. (This is contingent upon whether the Scholarship Committee deems the application to be worthy for future consideration.)

• Applicants will be notified of their award status within 12 weeks of receipt of application at the Business Office. (Please use a postal service that allows for package tracking. We cannot be responsible for lost mail.)

II. MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES

The Scholarship Program is to be utilized by members in good standing of the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC). “Good standing” means that dues for a member’s current membership term are paid in full prior to submitting an application. New members who join AAWC just prior to submitting an application will only be considered when dues are paid in full.

III. TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS

Research Scholarship (research projects in the field of wound care)

Education Scholarship (further study in approved courses on wound care and related fields)

Exchange program/Travel Scholarship (travel costs to wound care clinics, facilities or hospitals both nationally and internationally when the purpose of that travel is to study methods and means of the delivery of wound care and/or share wound care expertise (such as with the AAWC’s World Wound Care Alliance volunteer program.)

IV. SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS AVAILABLE

The amount of scholarships to be given in any year is determined by the AAWC Board of Directors after a careful review of available funds, the future needs and goals of the program, and the amount of worthy applications. The Scholarships are distributed to the most eligible candidates in each or all categories as deemed appropriate by the AAWC Scholarship Committee and approved by the AAWC Board of Directors.

V. TERMS AND CONDITIONS GOVERNING SCHOLARSHIPS

• Applicant must be 18 years of age or older and a member in good standing (including no outstanding dues or fees) at the time of the application and throughout the period of scholarship use.

• Applicant may apply more than once per year (for different needs), but will only receive one scholarship per calendar year.

• Scholarship must be used within six months after it is awarded unless in the case of special circumstances, which shall be supplied in writing during the time of application and subject to the approval of the Scholarship Committee.

• Travel/Exchange programs must be concluded within six months of assignment of the scholarship award unless in the case of special circumstances, which shall be supplied in writing during the time of application and subject to the approval of the Scholarship Committee.

• Educational awards for accredited courses of study in the field of wound care or related fields will be considered if they are postgraduate in scope with the applicant already possessing a degree in a field that is qualified to render wound care. The scholarship committee reserves the right under extenuating circumstances to disburse monies after proper documentation/receipts are inspected.

• Research programs requesting grant money will submit a pro posal outlining work to date and objectives of study. A panel of wound care experts who are members of AAWC will review this proposal. It is not expected or necessary for a research project to be finished within the six month time period, but progress related the project should be documented and submitted to the AAWC periodically and/or as requested.

• All recipients agree to submit a minimum 250-word summary of their experience and further agree to allow the AAWC the right to publish this summary on its web site, in its newsletter or in the Association Pages of OWM and WOUNDS.

• All award recipients are also strongly encouraged to submit a manuscript related to their experiences to journals related to (but not limited to) the field of wound care, such as AAWC’s official journals OWM and WOUNDS. This give both the recipient and the AAWC Scholarship Program wonderful exposure.

• The Scholarship Committee reserves the right to forego awarding scholarships for any length of time if it is in the committee's opinion that no applicant met the minimum criteria necessary to be considered for an award.

VI. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Are the scholarships gifts or loans; and how will their availability be publicized? The scholarships are considered gifts. The program will be publicized at the AAWC website and within the AAWC Association Pages of AAWC's official journals, Ostomy/Wound Management and WOUNDS and/or the Association Newsletter. The Program will also be announced every year at the AAWC Annual Membership Meeting during the Annual Symposium on Advanced Wound Care.

2. If the organization has established several categories of scholarships, how is each kind of benefit identified? In other words, how does the organization determine the recipients of each category?

AAWC Education Scholarship - for those who wish to pursue academic study in the basic, clinical, and/or behavioral science of wound management.

AAWC Research Scholarship - for those who wish to begin or continue investigation in the basic, clinical, and/or behavioral science of wound management.

AAWC Travel/Exchange Program Scholarship - for those who wish to travel either nationally or internationally to spend time observing, exchanging ideas or educating on the delivery of wound care at a host program.

3. What kinds of information do I need to supply with my application and what other requirements are there? You may apply for as many different scholarships as you would like; however, you may only be awarded one scholarship in the calendar year. You will be asked to provide 3 unstapled (paper clipped only) copies of your application and all supporting materials. If you are applying for a:

Educational Grant – You must provide program name, location, and summary of proposed course of study. Educational institution must be accredited by an approved/recognized governing body.

Research Grant – You must provide an abbreviated literature review, summary of proposed study or work, study objectives, duration of study, line-item budget for requested support, and how support of this study will benefit the field of wound care.

Exchange Grant – You must supply the location and program name, as well as the planned time of travel and contact information at the program.

4. Will you return my materials? Application materials, photos, etc. will not be returned. Please be sure to retain a full set of original copies. Recipients will be chosen by an independent volunteer review panel of the AAWC, who will be blinded as to author/applicant identity. This blinding process will require slight altering of the materials, including “blackening out” of names, faces, member numbers, etc. The awards will be based on both pertinence to the field of wound care and merit.

5. Are there any restrictions or limitations in the selection procedure based upon race or employment status? Does it matter if I am a relative of one of the judging committee members? No restrictions will be placed on applicants based on race or employment status. In fact, all applications are blinded by the Business Office staff (identifiable information is blackened out on the applications and supporting documents) prior to the committee’s review. However, members of the scholarship review committee and their immediate relatives are ineligible to apply for a scholarship while serving on the committee. These applications, if submitted, will be recognized by the Business Staff and returned.

6. How many people can apply? At any one time, the approximate number of eligible applicants includes all AAWC members in good standing, excluding the scholarship review committee and their relatives.

7. How many scholarship grants will be made annually? This will depend on the quality and quantity of the applications, as well as the amount of funds available per year.

8. How does the AAWC supervise the scholarship awards? After awards are given, AAWC stays in close contact with winners and expects follow up regarding their educational, research or travel experiences. In fact, these summaries are printed in future editions of the AAWC newsletter. Winners are also strongly encouraged to submit manuscripts to various publications, including AAWC’s official journals OWM and WOUNDS. This gives the recipient and the Scholarship Program wonderful exposure. Additionally, scholarship money may be held for disbursement until proper documentation (such as receipts) or other verifiable information concerning course of study, exchange site attendance confirmation, or research study review is completed.

9. What procedures does the organization have for taking action if the terms of the scholarship are violated? A letter of censure will be issued to the individual offender, as well as permanent expulsion from the AAWC with loss of dues.

10. If I win/have won a Scholarship, how do I expedite the disbursement of my award? We reserve the right to disburse moneys after proper documentation/receipts are received. Awards will likely be sent within 4-6 weeks after notification of your award, but only when all proper documentation is on file at the Business Office.

11. I am conducting research or attending school and need my scholarship check made out to the facility. What do I do? If the check should be made out to the facility, please note this on the application. If you have already won and did not note it, please call the AAWC office as soon as possible at 866-AAWC-999 or 610-560-0484.

12. Is my award subject to federal and state income tax? Please note that your award may be subject to federal and state income tax. Please be sure to maintain copies of all of your receipts and relevant documentation. We are including some general guidelines for you below, but it is your responsibility to consult your tax advisor as to whether your award is taxable. You may also wish to visit www.irs.gov to view Publication 520 on “Scholarships and Fellowships.”

The AAWC will comply with Internal Revenue Service guidelines and report your award on a 1099 or W-2 where required. You may not determine taxability based solely on the reporting of a 1099\W-2. The AAWC accepts no responsibility in determining your individual taxability.

Typical Tax Liability for Educational Grants
Recipients of the Educational Grant may be tax free if you are a degree-seeking candidate (either undergraduate or graduate), and the moneys are spent on tuition, fees and/or course related expenses. It is strongly recommended that the AAWC write the check directly to your educational institution, otherwise you will need to provide proof on how the award was spent. Please contact your personal tax advisor for the most current and applicable information.

Typical tax liability for Research, Exchange or Travel Grants
Recipients of the Research, Exchange or Travel Grant are generally taxable, however the research or work-related expenditures incurred may be tax deductible. Please contact your personal tax advisor for the most current and applicable information.

Click here to download an AAWC Scholarship Application.

A checklist is available to assist you in completing the scholarship application, click here for the checklist.

Please send your application (using a traceable method – Fed Ex, UPS, Certified Mail, etc.) to:
AAWC Business Office
Scholarship Program
83 General Warren Blvd.,
Suite 100
Malvern, PA 19355

*Important Notice: All information herein is deemed to be reasonably accurate today. However, no guarantees are made as to the accuracy of content or process. To further verify the scholarship information, if necessary, contact the AAWC Business Office at the number below.