TRA MEDICAL IMAGING FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Background and Purpose

The TRA Medical Imaging Foundation’s mission is to enhance health and well-being by advancing access to medical imaging services and workforce development opportunities. Our work encompasses promoting Imaging Sciences as a career choice and providing support to individuals interested in pursuing careers in Imaging Sciences through scholarships, mentorship, job shadowing, and residency programs.

Inclusion and Diversity

The TRA Medical Imaging Foundation is an equal opportunity organization that prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, ancestry, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or any other status prohibited by applicable law.

The TRA Medical Imaging Foundation Education Fund Scholarship provides:
1. Financial awards of up to $8,750 to students enrolled in the Imaging Sciences Program at Olympic College, specifically in Diagnostic Medical Sonography or Radiologic Technology. These funds are provided throughout the program and are contingent on meeting the school’s expectations, maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0, and participating in the TRA Medical Imaging Foundation Mentorship Program.

2. Ongoing mentorship from a team of professionals, including a TRA radiologist and/or technologist, to support, guide and help develop key talent. This mentorship program focuses on career development, education, learning, and boosting engagement. Scholars are required to participate in this mentoring program for a minimum of 30-60 minutes monthly. Mentoring is a crucial component of this program, and the scholar’s investment of time and engagement is essential to maximize the benefits of mentorship.

3. Opportunities to participate in the TRA Medical Imaging Foundation Scholarship Alumni Program, which aims to guide and support future scholars and promote Imaging Sciences as a professional career.

Eligibility 

The TRA Medical Imaging Foundation Scholarship is open to first-year students who have been accepted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography or Radiologic Technology Program at Olympic College.

To be eligible, applicants must:
1. Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
2. Have completed the scholarship application process.
3. Be able to attend scheduled monthly mentorship sessions via virtual meetings.

Application Schedule and Deadlines

• On-line applications are accepted starting Friday, October 10, 2025, 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time)
• Applications will not be accepted after Monday, December 1, 2025, 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)
• Award recipients will be notified by email, Friday, December 19, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time)

Scholarship Application Process

Application Materials
Potential TRA Scholars must submit the: (1) Biographical Information form; (2) Release Authorization form; (3) two Essays; (4) one Letter of Recommendation, a second is optional, and; (5) Scholarship Disclosure form. The TRA Medical Imaging Foundation will securely retain your scholarship application. All information you choose to provide during the application process is entirely voluntary. 

Acceptance Policy
Award recipients will be notified by email by Friday, December 19, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. Applicants not awarded a scholarship will be notified by email. 

Scholars are requested to consent to having their names made public and to participate in academic events like commencement ceremonies and donor stewardship activities, which may include attending events. In addition, Scholars are expected to participate in the TRA Medical Imaging Foundation Mentorship Program, which involves monthly meetings of 30 to 60 minutes in person or virtually.

Scholarship Renewal Criteria
To qualify for a second year of the scholarship, Scholars must demonstrate satisfactory progress toward a degree by meeting the following minimum requirements:

1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
2. Be consecutively enrolled in the RadiologicalTechnologist or the Diagnositc Medical Sonography Program.
3. Regular participation in mentoring is crucial.

Note: Students who take a leave of absence from the program must reapply to the TRA Medical Imaging Scholarship program.

Submission of Materials

All application materials are to be submitted to the Scholarship Selection Committee online. Materials must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Time), Monday, December 1, 2025, 5:00 p.m.

Incomplete application packets will result in disqualification.

Please note:  It is recommended that you prepare your essays in a Word document and save for your records, then upload to the online application. You must submit your application, essays, and letter(s) of recommendation at the same time. 

Application materials include:  

Part 1:  Biographical Information Form
Part 2:  Release Authorization and Statement of Participation Award Acceptance Policy
Part 3:  Two Essays (not to exceed 500 words each)
Part 4:  Letter(s) of Recommendation (2nd letter is optional)
Part 5:   Scholarship Disclosure Form

Scholarship Application

Part 1:  Biographical Information Form

To be completed by the applicant. 

Scholarship Application

Part 2:  Release Authorization and Statement of Participation Award  Accepttance Policy

To be completed by the applicant.

Part 3: Essays

Each applicant is required to submit 2 essays. Documents must be uploaded separately in either a Word Document or PDF.  Essays are evaluated on content, originality and grammar.

Please put your name and indicate Essay 1 or Essay 2 at the top of each essay.

Essay #1: In 500 words or less, please discuss:

• Your personal journey.
  
  
• A challenging experience you’ve encountered, how you overcame it, and the lessons you learned.
  
  
• How being accepted into the TRA Medical Imaging Foundation Scholarship program would positively impact your life.

 

Essay #2: In 500 words or less, please share your thoughts on the following:

• What initially drew you to a career in healthcare and how you see yourself contributing.

• What specifically excites you about Imaging Sciences.

• What are your career goals?

•  In thinking about your educational and career goals, provide an example of a strength that will help you achieve your objectives as an Imaging Sciences professional.

Part 4: Letter(s) of Recommendation

One letter of recommendation is required, we will accept two.

Letters of recommendation can be from an employer, professional associate, colleague, advisor and/or previous college instructor who can discuss your professionalism, work ethic, learning aptitude, collaboration and teamwork. 

Letters of recommendation cannot be from your Program Director or Imaging Science instructors. Additionally, relatives/immediate family members will not be accepted. 

Applicants are responsible for securing one letter of recommendation. A second letter of recommendation may be included in your application and considered. The recommendation(s) should be completed on a separate sheet/document and include the referal's information name, address (optional), email, phone and how long they have known you and in what capacity. 

 

Here are a few tips: When selecting someone to write a letter of recommendation, consider your current or past employers or supervisors. They are familiar with your work ethic and ability to handle tasks under pressure. Professors and academic advisors (except the Program Director or Imaging Science instructors) are also excellent resources. The most crucial aspect of choosing someone for a letter of recommendation is that they must know you well enough to accurately describe your abilities and strengths. Please ask them to share qualities and examples that showcase your potential as a strong candidate for this scholarship program.

Suggestions for the person referring you:  Please provide details about your knowledge of this individual and explain why you recommend them for this scholarship consideration. Share insights into their professionalism, work ethic, learning aptitude, teamwork, and collaboration skills. Citing specific examples of qualities, traits, and experiences that demonstrate their strong candidacy would be beneficial.

Scan and upload final letter(s) of recommendation when submitting your application.

Part 5: Scholarship Disclosure Form

By signing below, I agree to the following conditions as a recipient of the TRA Medical Imaging Foundation Scholarship. I understand that failure to adhere to the conditions below may result in termination of my scholarship recipient status:

• I am a first-year student who has been accepted into the Imaging Sciences Program (RT or DMS) at Olympic College.
• I am a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.
• I agree to maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA for the duration of the scholarship fund disbursement.
• I agree to allow Olympic College faculty to disclose academic information related to grading, assessment outcomes, didactic and clinical participation and overall performance to my mentor and TRA Medical Imaging Foundation Scholarship Committee members.
• I agree to meet with my mentoring team at least once a month and to participate in scholarship-related events.
• I agree to notify my mentor and the TRA Medical Imaging Foundation Scholarship Committee within 10 business days if I am facing academic challenges including poor didactic or clinical performance, failure to meet course or program objectives or dismissal from the program.

My participation in the TRA Medical Imaging Foundation Scholarship Application process is voluntary. Data supplied via electronic will be reviewed and considered in order to select award recipients. By submitting an application, I consent to the processing of personal information by the TRA Medical Imaging Foundation Scholarship Committee for the purpose of reviewing and considering applications and selecting award recipients.

Our Mission
To promote better health and wellbeing by advancing access to medical imaging services and workforce development opportnunities.

For more information:
www.tramedicalimagingfoundation.org

PO Box 1535
Tacoma,WA   98415-1535
253-761-4200 
foundation@tranow.com