Scholarships for Massage Therapy Students
Massage therapy school is expensive any way you cut it, and financial aid -- especially scholarships – can be extremely helpful. Here, we’ll give you a list of massage therapy scholarships and show give you a few tips on how to wow scholarship judges.
Scholarships for Massage Therapy School
Note: If the scholarship deadline has passed, check the URL to see an updated deadline.
| Name of Scholarship | Provided By | Award Amount | Deadline | Target Audience | Degree Level | Essay? | # of Awards | GPA | Renewable? |
| Massage Therapy Foundation Research Grants | Massage Therapy Foundation | Up to $30,000 | February | Awarded to those conducting studies that seek to advance our understanding of specific therapeutic applications of massage, public perceptions of and attitudes toward massage therapy, and the role of massage therapy in health care delivery | Graduate | Y | 8-10 | - | N |
| AMTA Student Scholarship | American Massage Therapy Association | $5,000 | Rolling | Currently be enrolled, or admitted, in a 500-hour minimum entry-level massage therapy program at the time you apply for the scholarship | Diploma/Certification | Y | 1 | - | N |
| The Massage Envy Scholarship for Massage Therapists Sweepstakes | Massage Envy | $2,500 | 1st day of each month | Applicants must be 18+ (in most states). You only need to apply once per program year; your application will roll over until the next calendar year. You do not have to work at a Massage Envy location if you win. | Diploma/Certification | Y | 6 | - | N |
| Student Case Report Contest | Massage Therapy Foundation | $1,500 - $2,500 | June | Opportunity for students to develop research skills and enhance their ability to provide evidence-informed massage to the public | Diploma/Certification | Y | 3 | - | N |
| Jeannette Rankin Foundation National Scholar Grant | Jeannette Rankin Foundation | $2,500 | March | This non-profit organization offers grants to women and nonbinary people who are older than 35, have financial need, and are pursuing higher education. | Undergraduate | Y | Varies | - | N |
| Michael Moody Fitness | Michael Moody Fitness | $1,500 | August | Interest in pursuing a career in field related to health and fitness | Undergraduate | Y | 1 | - | N |
| ABMP Scholarship Sweepstakes | Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals | $5,000 | Quarterly | Legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are age 18 or older and enrolled in a state-approved massage therapy or bodywork program in the United States as of the date of winner selection | Diploma/Certification | N | 12 | - | N |
| Semiannual MBLExGuide Scholarship | MBLExGuide | $1,000 | Twice per year | Available to any massage student currently enrolled in an approved entry-level massage therapy training school or program in the US | Diploma/Certification | Y | 1 | - | N |
| iVein Health & Wellness Scholarship | The Intermountain Vein Center | $2,500 | 8/31/2019 | To reward students who are committed to a lifetime of healthy habits | Graduate & Undergraduate | Y | 2 | 3.4+ | N |
| Start Standing Scholarship (Spring) | Start Standing | $1,000 | 3/31/2019 | In an effort to make things a little easier, we are proud to offer a biannual $1,000 scholarship to students who are currently attending or planning on attending college | Undergraduate & High School | Y | 1 | 3.0+ | N |
| Start Standing Scholarship (Winter) | Start Standing | $1,000 | 11/15/2019 | In an effort to make things a little easier, we are proud to offer a biannual $1,000 scholarship to students who are currently attending or planning on attending college | Undergraduate & High School | Y | 1 | 3.0+ | N |
| The Es-Zone Healthy Living Scholarship | Es-Zone | $1,000 | 1/31/2019 | The Es-Zone Healthy Living Scholarship is for undergraduate or post graduate students who are striving to live a healthy life | Undergraduate & High School | Y | 1 | - | N |
| Hiking Ambition Wellness Scholarship (Spring) | Hiking Ambition | $1,000 | 3/31/2019 | For high school, undergraduate or postgraduate students who are committed to a lifetime of healthy habits | Undergraduate & High School | Y | 1 | - | N |
| Hiking Ambition Wellness Scholarship (Winter) | Hiking Ambition | $1,000 | 09/30/2019 | For high school, undergraduate or postgraduate students who are committed to a lifetime of healthy habits | Undergraduate & High School | Y | 1 | - | N |
| Atcemsce.org College Student Scholarship | Atcemsce.org | $1,000 | 8/31/2019 | Awarded to the student with the best essay about staying healthy and fit | Undergraduate | Y | 1 | - | N |
| Massage Student Scholarship | Idaho State University | $1,500 | 2/15/2019 | All students who are currently enrolled in an approved entry-level massage therapy training school or program in the US | Diploma/Certification | Y | 1 | - | N |
| Iowa High School Achievement Scholarships | Iowa School of Beauty | $2,500 | Ongoing | This scholarship is open to all graduating students from Iowa high schools | High School | Y | 2 | - | N |
| RMTBC Scholarship Award | RMTBC | $1,000 | 1/31/2019 | The scholarship is awarded following the successful completion of an essay based on a chosen topic related to the profession of Registered Massage Therapy, must be in British Columbia | Diploma/Certification | Y | 1 | - | N |
| The Health and Wellness Scholarship | Marion Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa | $500 | 7/31/2019 | Any current student of an accredited U.S. college or university, write a short essay about how your physical health can affect your self-esteem | Undergraduate | Y | 1 | - | N |
| Soma Weight Loss Health & Wellness Scholarship | Soma Weight Loss | $1,000 | 3/31/2019 | Will be awarded to a student (undergrad or graduate) in a field that promotes achieving and maintaining a healthy weight | Graduate & Undergraduate | Y | 2 | - | N |
Where to Find Scholarships
When looking for ways to pay for your education, don't limit yourself to student loans. Consider exploring scholarships! Each involves a select amount of money awarded to help pay for your tuition or other school costs.
A fellowship typically involves an internship or service commitment in your field. A scholarship is often awarded to a wider range of students based on merit, while grants are often need-based. Unlike loans, you don’t have to pay the money back.
To find scholarships, you’ll want to check multiple sources including:
- Your school – Most schools offer scholarships awarded only to their students, often based on academic achievement or skill.
- The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – This is how you’ll receive government financial aid, based on your income and education costs. All students should fill out this form when applying to school. FAFSA is well known for providing college students with loans, but they also distribute funds to need-based students in the form of a grant that doesn’t require repayment.
- Professional organizations – Professional massage therapy associations, such as Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) or the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), may offer scholarships for students. Association members may even receive free or cheaper continuing education after graduation to stay on top of industry trends.
- Scholarship category – You may find scholarships specifically designed to support women or minority students, for example. You may also find scholarships in your field (for example, healing professions), or in your home state or region.
How to Win Scholarships
If you want to stand out against the other scholarship applicants, use the following tips to win the award you apply for:
- Update your resume – Highlight your accomplishments on your resume, and make sure to summarize any awards you’ve won or activities you participate in. You can then give a copy of your updated resume to teachers you’ve asked to write a letter of recommendation for you.
- Apply on time – Never miss a scholarship deadline or your application is likely to wind up straight in the trash. Deadlines are strict, and most scholarships have fall and spring deadlines just before the semester begins. Apply as soon as possible for the best results, the earlier the better.
- Apply to as many options as you can – Scholarships can come down to luck as much as skill, so you’ll want to increase your chances of winning by applying to all the options you can.
- Check with your family’s connections – Students should check in with everyone they know on scholarship opportunities. Perhaps someone has a connection with a professional organization and can put in a good word for you.
- Try smaller scholarships or essay contests – With a smaller pool of applicants, you have a much better chance of standing out from the crowd.
- Customize each scholarship essay – Don’t simply copy and paste the same essay for every application you send out. Think of a unique answer to the essay question and proofread your work before submission.
- Maintain a professional online presence – With social media accounts like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, you can bet scholarship finalists commonly follow the funder attempting to make a great online impression.
- Dress like a pro – If your application involves an interview, make sure to dress appropriately.
- Don’t procrastinate – Some applications will require a written essay, interview, or letters of recommendation from your previous teachers. It pays to prepare these in advance rather than waiting until the last minute to gather everything together.
- Write an essay that will help you stand out – Illustrate any industry experience you already have and how you mesh with the organization’s goals.
NonCommercial