Program Guidelines

The Washington Hearing Society is dedicated to helping adults in the State of Washington to attend to and succeed in the educational arena.

The Mission of the Washington Hearing Society and its Education Committee is to build a collaborative network of diverse stakeholders to improve the quality of education of Hearing Aid Specialist Training.

The Vision of the Washington Hearing Society Education Committee is to empower candidates for Hearing Aid Specialist careers with need-based educational resources.

The Purpose of the Ralph G. Lenhard Scholarship Fund is to provide scholarships to deserving candidates intending to pursue a course of study in the 9 Month Certificate Program for Hearing Aid Specialist Training (HAST).

For the calendar years 2021-2022, the Scholarship Fund’s award ceiling is $20,000 and the individual maximum award is $2,000. The Scholarship Fund will award approximately 10 scholarships, ranging in amounts from $500-2,000 per award, based on applicant’s strength of application and financial need. NOTE: Scholarship funds will be awarded to the student, or the supervising employer responsible for tuition payment, upon evidence of registration in the HAST Program.

 

Criteria and eligibility:

1. Applicant must attend the WHS 9 Month Certificate Program in Hearing Aid Specialist Training (HAST).
2. Applicant must meet all enrollment requirements at the time of application.
3. Applicant must have earned at least a 2.0 grade point average (or a “C” average) when they completed their college degree.
4. Applicants may not be related to any WHS Board of Directors or staff for this presents a conflict of interest.

General Instructions:

1. DEADLINE for scholarship applications is OPEN to the 2021-2022 calendar year.
2. Refer to application process below for a list of the supporting documents needed (i.e., reference forms, evidence of GPA, etc.) Incomplete applications will not be considered.
3. If any question does not apply to you, please put N/A in the space.
4. Type legibly. Illegible applications will not be considered. 
5. You will be notified by email within 3 weeks of receipt of your application regarding a scholarship award decision.
6. If you have any questions about the application, please call the HAST Program Manager at 206-853-2022.

Application Process: Applicant must submit the following items:

1. Completed application form.
2. Letter of application addressed to the Scholarship Committee. The letter should contain a brief explanation about yourself and your plans for becoming a licensed Hearing Aid Specialist (where will you work, goals for your future in the profession, participation in professional organizations while a student – IHS, WHS, other) Letter should not exceed one (1) page.
3. Two (2) letters of recommendation from your choice of high school teachers, administrators, counselors, employers, or individual with significant knowledge of applicant’s experience and involvement.
4. An official college transcript with cumulative grade point average and degree earned. (Transcripts submitted during the application process for the HAST Program Training will be accessible to the WHS Education Committee and will be used for scholarship review). Additional Transcripts are not needed.
5. Personal Essay. Essay must be at least 1-2 typed pages, double-spaced, 12-point font / Times New Roman font. Essay shall contain no grammatical errors. Your essay should answer the following question:

HOW WILL BEING A HEARING AID SPECIALIST CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND THE LIVES OF THOSE YOU SERVE?

STATEMENT OF ACCURACY

I hereby affirm that all the above stated information provided by me is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I also consent that my picture may be taken and used for any purpose deemed necessary to promote the Foundation’s scholarship program.

I hereby understand that if chosen as a scholarship recipient, according to Anniston Community Education Foundation Scholarship policy, I must provide evidence of enrollment/registration at the post-secondary institution of my choice before scholarship funds can be awarded.