The Bridging the Gap (BTG) course trains bilingual/multilingual individuals to work as medical interpreters in hospitals, clinics, and other health care settings. In 2025, The Cross Cultural Health Care Program (CCHCP) will award two scholarships, one for the 40-hour course in May and another 40-hour course in July. The scholarships will cover the full tuition cost of the course for the recipient.

These scholarships will be awarded to two individuals who demonstrate why having trained medical interpreters will benefit their community and how they plan to use this class to improve the quality of care for patients with limited English proficiency. Individuals who are awarded these scholarships and attend the Bridging the Gap course will be highlighted in our organization’s newsletter, social media pages, and website. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of successful completion.

Please note that each applicant is eligible to receive only one scholarship.

International applicants are welcome to apply. Please note that there will be additional international shipping costs the applicants would have to cover.

Contact:
For questions about the scholarship or application process, please contact us via email at bridgingthegap@xculture.org.

TRAINING DATES

40-Hour Bridging the Gap
May 19-30, 2025
Online via Zoom
Monday - Friday
9:00am - 1:00pm Pacific Time
Application Deadline: March 1st, 2025

40-Hour Bridging the Gap
July 7-18, 2025
Online via Zoom
Monday - Friday
9:00am - 1:00pm Pacific Time
Application Deadline: March 1st, 2025

 

To apply for the Bridging the Gap scholarship, applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Scholarship applicants must also provide language proficiency in English and the language they plan to interpret for. Applicants who are not able to provide proof of language proficiency in one of their languages can request a language assessment to be scheduled by The Cross Cultural Health Care Program. If an applicant is awarded the scholarship and does not have proof of language proficiency or does not pass their proficiency test, CCHCP reserves the right to withdraw the scholarship awarded to that individual.

 

CCHCP will cover the cost of one (1) language assessment for the scholarship recipient. Should recipient miss the scheduled assessment, recipient will have to pay $78 for language assessment. 

 

Proof of proficiency can be copies of any one of the following documents: High school diploma or equivalent, or university/college degree from a school using the assessed language(s); State or federal court interpreter certification; Oral language exam results with scores equivalent to ACTFL Advanced Mid-level or ILR Level 2.

You will be prompted to submit the following materials in this application:

1. A completed scholarship application
2. An updated copy of your resume 
3. A 500-1000 word essay (details provided in section VI)
4. Proof of high school graduation or college/university graduation
5. Proof of language proficiency in English
6. Proof of language proficiency in the language you interpet

 

Along with this application form, please submit a 500-1000 word essay describing why you are applying for this scholarship and how you plan to benefit the community if you receive it. Please answer the following questions in your essay:

1.    What languages are you proficient in?

2.    What are the needs of the people who speak those languages in your community, particularly the needs regarding access to quality health care?

3.    How will this scholarship and taking the Bridging the Gap medical interpreter training help address language access barriers to health care in your community?

4.    What work have you done in your community to support underrepresented or disadvantaged populations? If you have done any work in health care or by working directly with patients, please highlight those efforts (this can be volunteer related or through your place of work).

I certify that my answers are true and complete to the best of my knowledge.

If this application leads to receipt of this scholarship, I understand that false or misleading information in my application may result in the rejection of my application for the Bridging the Gap scholarship.

I have read and understand the application requirements, deadlines, and course dates available for this scholarship.