Student Scholarships

Student Scholarships are awarded to CHIA Student members assisting them to complete their educational goals in CAHIIM-accredited health information administration (HIA) or health information technology (HIT) programs, and CHIA Active members enrolled in HIA or HIT programs pursing a specialty or higher HIM credential than they currently hold (e.g., CCS or CCS-P pursuing RHIT or RHIA; RHIT pursing RHIA) or pursuing a post graduate degree in an HIM-related field.

For questions, or to submit application requirements, email Scholarship@CaliforniaHIA.org

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• CHIA Student or Active member in good standing at the time the application is submitted,
• Enrolled in CAHIIM-accredited HIA or HIT program, or a HIM masters degree program, and completed a minimum 50% of program curricula, or will have completed 50% of curricula for courses currently enrolled at the time of the scholarship deadline (March 1), and
• Must not have received a Student Scholarship at any time previously.

Application Process

Applicants are required to submit the following information by the annual March 1 deadline.

1. Completed Student Scholarship Application,
2. Validation from Program Director that a minimum of 50% of HIA or HIT program, or HIM masters degree, curriculum has been met, or will be met by scholarship deadline (Refer to Program Director Validation Form for template to provide),
3. Unofficial transcripts verified (signed) by the Program Director showing grades from the HIA, HIT, or HIM master’s Degree program courses,
4. Two recommendation letters from HIM professionals. (Refer to Recommendation Letter Instructions for template to provide contributor), and
5. Written essay, of no more than 500 words, responding to the following two questions:
   a. Describe your educational and/or career goals in HIM
   b. Describe how receiving a CHIA scholarship will assist you to meet your educational and/or career goals in HIM

Selection and Notification Process

The total amount of scholarships to be awarded is determined annually by the CHIA Board of Directors, and information is provided to the CHIA Awards and Scholarship Committee at the time of selection. The CHIA Awards and Scholarship Committee will review all eligible submissions and evaluate based on:

• Essay content and writing skill,
• Academic excellence,
• Content and suitability of recommendation letters provided, and
• Completeness and clarity of the application.

CHIA will notify each applicant if he/she was selected to receive the Student Scholarship in April. Scholarship presentations and award distributions are made at the annual CHIA Convention & Exhibit in June, but recipients do not need to be present and checks will be mailed shortly thereafter.


The CHIA Awards and Scholarship Fund is made possible through the generous contributions of CHIA Members, Corporate Partners, Vendor Contributions, and other HIM professionals. Please consider making a contribution today.