Foundation Scholarship FAQs

Applications are available for the 2023-2024 academic year from February 15 to April 18, 2023, at 10 a.m. (Central time).

Yes. Both students attending full- and part-time are eligible to apply.

Applications and all supporting forms and documents (i.e., verification forms, recommendation forms, etc.) must be submitted through the online application portal by the extended deadline of Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 10 a.m. (Central time). Emailed applications, supporting forms/documents, and other additional materials will not be accepted.

All applicants, including those not selected to receive a scholarship, will be notified via email in mid to late August 2023. Foundation staff cannot provide interim information or feedback on scholarship applications.

Most Foundation scholarships either require Academy membership or give preference to Academy members. However, Academy membership is not required for multiple annual Foundation scholarships.

Scholarships are available for students of undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and nutrition technician programs, as well as dietetic interns. Additional program-specific eligibility requirements apply. Please refer to the Scholarship Eligibility Requirements listed on our scholarship webpage for further information.

See the qualifications to become a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and to apply. For help with renewing your membership, please call 800/877-1600 ext. 5000.

No. The Academy Foundation does not offer scholarships to high school students.

The following materials must be submitted within the application. Additional materials will not be reviewed or considered.

• Applications must include a current resume that addresses the following components, if applicable:
  • Education
  • Paid work experience
  • Volunteer experience and civic/community engagement
  • Leadership experience
  • Professional involvement or membership
  • Honors or awards
• Applications must include TWO completed recommendation forms – one must be completed by an academic source and the other must be completed by a professional source.
  • Recommendation forms from Registered Dietitian Nutritionists are preferred.
  • Letters of recommendation will not be accepted in place of a recommendation form.
• Applicants are required to upload transcripts for all colleges or universities that they have completed collegiate coursework at or have a faculty member complete the Foundation’s GPA Verification Form on their behalf.

Doctoral student applicants are required to provide a copy of their GRE scores or have a faculty member complete the Foundation’s GRE Verification Form on their behalf.

• Doctoral students who were not required to complete the GRE for admission to their program must have a faculty member complete the Foundation’s GRE Verification Form to confirm it was not required for admission.

The Foundation’s scholarship application is a singular, centralized application. By completing the scholarship application, you are automatically considered for every Foundation scholarship you meet the eligibility criteria for.

Students may apply for an Academy Foundation scholarship every year, as long as they meet the scholarship requirements.

It is a competitive process. The chances of receiving a scholarship depend on the number of available scholarships and the number of applicants received. Last year, the Foundation received over 900 applicants was able to award scholarships to 309 students.

Each application is reviewed by three members of the Foundation Scholarship Committee. Applications are scored based on academic achievement/scholarship, professional attributes (professional achievements and potential) and financial need. Consideration is also given to how an applicant's background and life experiences have shaped and challenged them to grow as an individual in order to pursue an education in nutrition and dietetics.

The amounts range from $500 to $25,000. The majority of the scholarships awarded are between $1,000-$2,500.

Only one Foundation scholarship requires an interview component. Applicants who are not invited to interview will still be considered for all other Foundation scholarships being offered that year.

Invitations to interview will be extended to select applicants around late June to July 2023.

Information about student aid should be sought from the financial aid office or administrator at individual institutions. Additional sources include the state dietetic association, state higher education agency and local civic, professional and community organizations or foundations. Also, detailed information about federal grants and loans administered by the United States Department of Education is available online.