Purpose of the Award
The Mary Kasch Hand Therapy Certification Scholarship provides opportunities for professional development by providing financial support to an OT/PT interested in pursuing certification in hand and upper extremity therapy.
Funding
The scholarship amount will be a total value equivalent to $1,500. The award candidate must meet HTCC's general examination eligibility requirements or be eligible to meet the certification requirements by the time the exam registration is due. The candidate for the next application window must be planning on sitting for the November 2024 or May 2025 examination.
Breakdown of Funding
- ASHT will offer each year one or more of its many continuing education offerings for this scholarship. The ASHT contribution will include registration fees only, not exceeding $500 combined. (ASHT Continuing Education - $500 value)
- HTCC will offer the CHT Examination fee. ($500 value)
- The award recipient may use the remaining amount, after ASHT and HTCC’s contributions, to purchase study materials, attend courses and to be reimbursed for travel-related expenses for the exam or continuing education courses. The award recipient will submit receipts to AHTF for reimbursement. ($500 to be distributed by the AHTF)
Application Process
The application window for the 2024 scholarship is open from January 1 through March 1, 2024. The award recipient will be notified June 1, 2024 and will be announced to the general public at the ASHT Annual Meeting in the fall.
Eligibility
The award candidate must meet HTCC’s general examination eligibility requirements or be eligible to meet the certification requirements by the time the exam registration is due. Applicants must plan to sit for the examination either in November of the year they receive the award or May of the following year. HTCC’s general examination eligibility requirements are:
- The candidate must be an occupational therapist or physical therapist with a current professional credential.
- The candidate must be certified or licensed as an OT or PT for a minimum of three years, based on date of issue of the certificate or license.
- The candidate must have accrued a minimum of 4,000 hours of direct practice experience in hand therapy.
Selection Criteria
An essay will be required by the candidates to answer the question: “Why do you want to become a CHT?” (1-2 paragraphs - 100-word maximum)
The selection criterion is based on professional involvement in order to assess the candidate’s earnestness toward professional development.
Application/Award Timeline
- January - application available on ASHT, HTCC and AHTF websites
- March 1 - application due
- June 1 - notify recipient
- September-October - announcement and receipt of reward at ASHT Annual Meeting
Presentation
The award will be presented annually at the ASHT Annual Meeting along with other award announcements.
Proudly supported by the Hand Therapy Tri-Alliance
