Rick and Sherry Murray Medical Futures Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by ALS Association Florida Chapter

Description

The Rick and Sherry Murray Medical Futures Scholarship supports students whose close family member (spouse, parent or guardian, child, or grandparent) has been diagnosed with ALS and who are pursuing a career in the medical or social work fields as a direct result of that experience. The award targets applicants motivated by personal connection to ALS and who plan to enter medically related degree or certification programs. This scholarship is intended to help translate personal experience with ALS into professional training and service in health-related fields.

Key takeaways
- Supports students inspired by a close family member’s ALS diagnosis.
- Intended for those entering medical or social work careers.
- Focuses on applicants motivated by personal experience with ALS.

Eligibility

**Relationship requirement:** Applicants must be a close relative of someone diagnosed with ALS; families of every tradition are considered.
**Residency:** Applicants must be legal residents of Florida.
**Field of study and age:** Applicants must be majoring in a medically related or social work degree, or enrolled in medically related certification programs; applicants of any age are eligible.

Key takeaways
- Must be a close relative of a person with ALS.
- Must be a legal resident of Florida.
- Any-age applicants pursuing medical/social work education or certification qualify.

Enrollment and Institution Requirements

**Attendance status:** Applicants must attend or be accepted to school full-time as defined by their institution.
**Institution type and location:** Eligible institutions include accredited two-year or four-year colleges/universities or vocational-technical schools located in the United States.
**Accreditation:** The school must be accredited; enrollment at unaccredited institutions does not meet the requirement.

Key takeaways
- Full-time enrollment (per institution definition) is required.
- Eligible institutions: accredited U.S. two-year, four-year, or vocational-technical schools.
- Accreditation is mandatory.

Application Materials

**Official transcript:** Submit a current, complete official transcript (grade reports are not acceptable). The transcript must show student name, school name, degree program, course grades and credit hours, and the terms for each course.
**Personal essay:** Provide a 500-word essay explaining how the ALS experience affected the applicant and influenced their decision to enter the medical or social work field.
**Recommendations and additional items:** Include two letters of recommendation plus any other materials specified on the application form.

Key takeaways
- Official transcript required; grade reports insufficient.
- 500-word personal essay describing the ALS-related motivation.
- Two letters of recommendation and any application-listed items are required.

Submission Process and Format

**How to submit:** Complete the application and submit it by mail or email as directed on the application.
**Package completeness:** Ensure all required documents (application form, transcript, essay, recommendation letters, and any additional items) are included before submission.
**Follow application instructions:** Adhere strictly to formatting and delivery instructions on the official application to avoid disqualification.

Key takeaways
- Applications accepted by mail or email.
- Submit a complete package with all listed documents.
- Follow the application’s submission instructions exactly.

Missing Details and Next Steps

**Details not specified here:** The original source does not disclose award amount, application deadlines, or selection criteria.
**What to do next:** Consult the official application or the scholarship administrator for award value, deadline dates, selection process, and any additional eligibility clarifications.
**Contact recommendation:** Reach out to the awarding organization or check the application materials to confirm any “other requirements” referenced on the form.

Key takeaways
- Award value, deadlines, and selection criteria are not provided in this summary.
- Check the official application or sponsor for complete details.
- Contact the scholarship administrator for clarification and deadlines.