The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) is accepting applications for the second annual Christina Skoski, MD, Scholarship. The fund will once again award a one-time, $1,000 scholarship to a student with limb loss who has a special desire to learn and exhibits potential for success. The scholarship is only open to undergraduate students who will be entering or who are already attending a four-year college.
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be amputees and have a minimum high-school grade-point average (GPA) of 3.5 and a minimum ACT score of 30 or SAT score of 1340. They must also submit a letter of recommendation from a high-school adviser. Additionally, the student or his or her parent/legal guardian must be a current member of the ACA. All majors are welcome.
Applications will only be accepted by online submission through the ACA Web site at www.amputee-coalition.org/scholarship. The application deadline for fall 2010 consideration is March 15, 2010. The scholarship recipient will be announced no later than May 31, 2010.
The 2009 recipient of the scholarship was Susannah Engdahl, a straight-A student who was born missing portions of both feet and arms. “I was honored to be the first recipient of the Christina Skoski, MD, Scholarship,” she said. “It was particularly helpful for me as a first-year student because it allowed me to focus on adjusting to college-level academics without also having to worry about money.”
Skoski, a longtime member of the ACA and its Medical Advisory Committee, is a staunch advocate of higher education as a way for amputees to gain greater self-sufficiency, overcome life’s obstacles, and advance causes for people living with limb loss. “Because of my education, I’ve had a wonderful career, which afforded me a fulfilling, successful, and interesting life,” she said. “I hope this scholarship will encourage young amputees to set high goals and pursue their dreams, whatever their interests.”
Skoski initially endowed the scholarship fund with $25,000, and in its first year the fund has received over $6,000 in contributions. The ACA encourages donations through matching gifts.
Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Christina Skoski, MD, Scholarship Fund by calling 888.267.5669, visiting www.amputee-coalition.org/giving/donate_now.html, or mailing a check to Amputee Coalition of America, 900 E. Hill Ave, Suite 205, Knoxville, TN 37915.