Application

Please read and follow all instructions on this page carefully.

We will begin accepting applications for the 2026-27 scholarship in October 2026. The application process will close on JANUARY 15, 2027.

AOM Scholarship Program for 2026-27

Trudy McAlister Foundation directs the AOM Scholarship Fund and Program for students attending ACAHM accredited schools working toward their degree in Acupuncture Oriental Medicine. This is a merit-based scholarship.

Deadline

Completed applications and documentation must be submitted by JANUARY 15, 2027.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must have completed at least one full academic year of your AOM professional training at an ACAHM accredited school.
  • Applicants must be United States citizens.
  • A minimum 3.1 GPA from undergraduate college work and AOM college grades is recommended, although all applications that qualify in other requirements will be reviewed. Transcripts that show Pass/Fail results will also be reviewed.
  • Applicants MUST HAVE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE. Applications without leadership experience will not be considered. Leadership experience may include active roles in student government, participation in state &/or national AOM organizations, volunteer coordination, community service leadership, mentoring, or other initiatives that demonstrate your ability to contribute meaningfully to the profession or community.

Award Amount

Past scholarship awards have ranged between $500 to $5,000 each. The amounts are determined by how many schools, organizations, and individuals donate to and sponsor this program. The scholarship award(s) will directly offset the specific student’s tuition at the recipient’s college.

Application Procedure

Note: We hope to further streamline this process in 2026-27 to provide automated submission instructions for transcripts and recommendations. 

1. Complete and SUBMIT this Scholarship Application Form electronically.

2. Have your school email us an OFFICIAL copy of your transcript(s) – include ALL college transcripts, both undergraduate and graduate, must be combined and sent IN ONE SINGLE EMAIL from your current school. Copies of official transcripts may be on file with your AOM College and are acceptable to use. The email of your OFFICIAL transcripts must be sent from the primary contact at your current school.  Please have them send this email to the following address:       

Heather@AOMScholarship.org

All transcripts and recommendation letters must be sent to this email address only.

3. TWO recommendations using the provided Recommendation Form that you provide each of the two recommending college faculty members MUST BE EMAILED DIRECTLY FROM THE RECOMMENDING COLLEGE FACULTY MEMBER to the following address:      

  Heather@AOMScholarship.org

All transcripts and recommendation letters must be sent to this email address only.

2027 Essay Questions

(This section will be updated in October each year. The previous year’s application remains active until then to give you a sense of the process.)

The 2026 APPLICATION FORM will ask you to attach a page answering each of these essay questions.

Essay Question #1:

Describe a moment during your academic journey that challenged you to grow as a future leader in the field of AOM. How did that experience shape your vision for contributing to your community or the broader healthcare system as an AOM practitioner? (ESSAY MUST BE UNDER 500 WORDS)

Essay Question #2:

As a future leader in the field of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, what specific contributions or innovations do you hope to bring to the field over the next 5–10 years? (ESSAY MUST BE UNDER 500 WORDS)

Notification

The successful applicants will be individually notified by April 15, 2027. Announcements will be made to all schools and our website and Facebook page. Applicants who are not awarded scholarships will not be individually notified.

Please Note

Application Deadline & Submission Requirements

All application materials must be submitted, with proof of submission date, by JANUARY 15, 2027.

  • Applications with any materials sent after the deadline will not be accepted.
  • Confirm and document successful submission of your online application (Google Form) at the time of submission.
  • Ensure all supporting materials are submitted on time:
    • Ask your school to confirm singular email submission of all your transcripts
    • Ask your references to confirm email submission of their letters
    • Request confirmation from each party and keep a record of these communications
  • Applications missing required materials by the deadline, including those submitted by third parties, will not be considered.
  • NO incomplete applications will be considered.

Proof of Submission Requirements

Applicants must retain proof of all submissions. Acceptable forms of confirmation include:

  • Online Application (Google Form):
    Screenshot or confirmation email showing successful submission, including date and time.
  • Transcripts (from your school):
    Email confirmation from your school indicating transcripts were sent, including date.
  • Reference Letters:
    Email confirmation from each reference indicating their letter was submitted, including date.

Applicants are responsible for collecting and retaining these confirmations. We recommend saving screenshots or email records for your files.

The amount of the scholarships and the number of scholarships shall be determined by the Directors of the Foundation each year. Please encourage your school and any organizations or individuals you know to sponsor and donate to this scholarship fund. We determine the amount of our awards each year based on these donations.

Any questions about the scholarship and/or the application process, please use our contact page.