Tom Kuster Memorial Scholarship

TO BE COMPLETED BY THE NOMINEE

PLEASE ENSURE YOU READ AND COMPLETE THIS ENTIRE APPLICATION BEFORE HITTING THE SUBMIT BUTTON.

SCHOLARSHIP DUE APRIL 25, 2026. ALL APPLICATIONS AND PAPERWORK MUST BE IN BY THAT DATE.

General Regulations

The Tom Kuster Memorial Scholarship was established to award a deserving student in the final year of an Athletic Training Education Program in Virginia. This grant of $500.00 is purposed to assist the graduating student with basic healthcare professional needs as they transition to practice. This grant money can be used for supplies, equipment, continuing education, etc. that the student feels are necessary for them to be successful as a professional. Once the committee has made their selection, the grant recipient will be sent a check in the amount of $500.00.

Criteria for selection

 The VATA Scholarship Program seeks to recognize a student who demonstrates excellent potential for a career in the allied health profession of Athletic Training. In awarding the grant, the VATA will consider the following:

  1. Scholarship ability
  2. Leadership ability
  3. Responsible citizenship
  4. Dedication and passion for the athletic training profession 

CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for this grant, a candidate must:

  1. Be a student in the final year of their education within a CAATE-accredited professional athletic Training program in Virginia, and a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.
  2. Complete the grant application, including demographic information, the name and contact information for your Institutional Representative (Program Director, Clinical Education Coordinator, or Department Chair), and Sponsoring Athletic Trainer (SAT). The SAT must be a BOC certified athletic trainer, who is an NATA member in good standing, and who can attest to the applicant’s scholarship, leadership, citizenship, and dedication/passion for the athletic training profession as they relate to the applicant. The SAT must write you a letter of support for your application.
  3. Submit an official OR unofficial college/university transcript of all coursework completed.
  4. Two letters of recommendation (one of which must be from your SAT) that should address your qualities of Leadership, Integrity, Professionalism, and Compassion.
  5. Submit evidence that you have applied to sit for the BOC examination.
  6. Submit an essay on your future professional plans and how you have prepared yourself for this next step in the profession.
  7. This completed application must be submitted online by the deadline. 

Application Submission

If you have any questions regarding the application materials, please contact the VATA Scholarship Committee Chair at [email protected].

Application materials submitted after the deadline April 25th will not be considered.

Applicant information

Institutional Representative

Sponsoring athletic trainer (SAT)

Required attachments

  1. Official OR Unofficial Academic Transcript of all coursework completed (Undergraduate and Graduate)
  2. Resume
    1. Attach a copy of your current resume listing athletic training related leadership opportunities, community service activities, and any other activities (marathons, Special Olympics, state games, etc.) you have been involved with.  You also need to include your clinical athletic training experiences, association memberships, organizations, etc.  Please also include any non-athletic training related leadership and/or community involvement (church, college/university, honor societies, etc.)
  3. Evidence of BOC Exam Application
    1. Attach evidence that you have applied to sit for the BOC Examination.
  4. Personal Essay
    1. Please compose a personal essay of 250 – 500 words. Use this essay to help the members of the VATA Scholarship Committee learn more about you and your future professional plans, and how you have prepared yourself for this next step in the profession.
  5. Two letters of recommendation must be submitted from the following:
    1. Institutional Representative (Program Director, Clinical Education Coordinator, or Department Chair)
    2. Sponsoring Athletic Trainer (must be a BOC certified athletic trainer, who is an NATA member in good standing, and who can attest to the applicant’s scholarship, leadership, citizenship, and dedication/passion for the athletic training profession as they relate to the applicant)

Letters of recommendation must be emailed to [email protected] by the faculty member and SAT by the application deadline. Subject line should include "Student Name, Tom Kuster Scholarship"

  Yes

Confirmation of Information

Please read the following and type your signature in the space indicated below.

I certify that all statements and information contained within this application, and all supporting materials, are true and are not in any way embellished that I may gain from deception.

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