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The University of Pittsburgh School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences offers the following scholarship opportunities for current students. Students should keep in mind that discipline-specific scholarships may also be available; please see your departments for additional opportunities or the SHRS Financial Information page.

Merit Scholarships 

The merit scholarships comprise three awards administered under a common application process. The purpose of these scholarships is to acknowledge and aid students who demonstrate high-level scholastic achievement and financial need. Multiple scholarships are awarded per year, pending available funds; all scholarships provide the same level of support. 

Eligibility and Criteria. (Updated 9/2023) - Please read the information on Eligibility and Criteria, before applying. 

Applications to apply in PittFund$me are closed.  Applications will reopen in Sept. 2024.

  • You must be graduating in 2025 or later to apply. (Award is applied to Spring tuition bill)

Prepare before you apply: You can write your essay in a Word document and paste it into the application.

Essay Composition: Your essay should be MAXIMUM 250 words (Essays over 250 words will not be considered) describing a specific event, interaction or educational experience that you had as an SHRS Student and discuss how it has impacted your preparation as a future health professional. For example, it could be an experience from a class as an assignment or something that occurred in the local or global community that significantly influences you.

When you are ready to apply click on this link for the Merit Scholarship Application and then click here for SHRS Scholarship Application Instructions and follow the instructions from step 4 on how to apply through Pittfund$me.

Selection of Awardees:

Awardees will be selected by the SHRS Executive Committee. The amount of the awards will depend on available funds and the student's financial needs & essay composition. 

  • For the 2023-2024 term, we had 258 students apply!  We were able to give out 17 awards, ranging from $1800-$4000!
  • You only need to apply once and you will automatically be considered for all three awards. (Anne Pascasio, SHRS Alumni Endowed & UPMC Endowed Scholarships)
  • Applicants can only receive the scholarship once as an undergrad and once as a graduate student.

Awards for the 2023-2024 term will be announced in mid-January 2024 and be applied to your spring bill.

Award receipents for Spring 2024 were:

UPMC Endowed Scholarship $4,000

  • Tier McCullough
  • Jacquelyn Farquhar
  • Melissa Jerpe
  • Marissa Alda
  • Elizabeth Pangia
  • Shayaana Ubhayaratne

Anne Pascasio Scholarship $4,000

  • Andrea Doub
  • Caitlin Bowman
  • Helen Lam
  • Diva Kothari
  • Lydia Poduska

SHRS Alumni Endowed Scholarship $1,800

  • Marily Flores
  • Ellen Gong
  • Nicholas Caggiano
  • Alex Porter
  • Andrew Chung
  • Callahan Parker

The Dr. Timothy C. and Mrs. Cynthia B. Sell Student Award, promoting diversity and inclusion. 

Donors Dr. Timothy Sell and Mrs. Cynthia Sell have established an endowed fund to promote diversity and inclusion within the SHRS student body. The SHRS Faculty Executive Committee will choose the award recipient(s) in mid-January and the award will be applied to the student’s spring tuition bill. Awards will be presented annually pending receipt of qualifying applications. 

Eligibility and Criteria. (Updated 9.2023) - Please read the information on Eligibility and Criteria, before applying. 

Applications to apply in PittFund$me are closed. Applications will reopen in Sept. 2024.

  • You must be graduating in 2025 or later to apply. (Award is applied to Spring tuition bill)

Prepare before you apply: You can write your essay in a Word document and paste it into the application.

Essay composition: Your essay should be MAXIMUM 250 words (Essays over 250 words will not be considered) outlining your professional goals and service (beyond what is required by your academic program).

Your essay must include a response to the following 3 questions:

  1. How have you served as a role model for minority or underserved populations?
  2. What volunteer involvement did you provide and how did your efforts support minority/underserved initiatives?
  3. How have your experiences and contributions to minority and underserved people impacted you personally?

When you are ready to apply click on this link for the Sell Student Award Application and then click here for SHRS Scholarship Application Instructions and follow the instructions from step 4 on how to apply through Pittfund$me.

Selection of Awardees:

Awardees will be selected by the SHRS Executive Committee. The amount of the awards will depend on available funds and the student's financial needs & essay composition. Awards will be announced in mid-January and be applied to your spring bill.

  • For the 2023-2024 term, we had 121 students apply!  We were able to give out 2 awards, for $1000 each!

Awards for the 2023-2024 term will be announced in mid-January 2024 and be applied to your spring bill.

Award receipents for the Spring 2024 are:

Dr. Timothy C. and Mrs. Cynthia B. Sell Student Award, promoting diversity and inclusion $1000

  • Caitlin Bowman
  • Elizabeth Pangia

SHRS Student and Trainee Research Fund

The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences has a small Student and Trainee Research Fund. The primary purpose of the fund is to encourage research activity and defray the expenses of such research for SHRS students and postdoctoral trainees while they are engaged in SHRS programs. Since funds are very limited applicants should be aware that grant awards are a maximum of $1,000 for a maximum of 12 months. More information on eligibility and application procedures can be found on the link below.

Applications can be submitted at any time.

Eligibility and Guidelines (Updated Feb. 2022)

Click here for the SHRS Development Fund Application.


SHRS Doctoral Student Award

The SHRS Doctoral Student Award provides funding to PhD students who have passed written comprehensive examination to support their research projects that are related to their dissertation research. Students can apply for up to $7500.00. There will be 2 application/review periods per year, early October and end of March.

Due Date: TBD

Notice of Award: TBD

Applications may be submitted when the Request for Application is announced.

Eligibility and Guidelines.