Financial aid is available on a competitive basis to qualified applicants based upon academic record, GRE scores, and letters of recommendation. Financial need may also be considered.

* Graduate Assistantships: The School has a limited number of assistantships available for audiology students. The assistantships are awarded for one academic year at a time, but are generally renewed for a second year unless the student experiences academic difficulty or fails to carry out assistantship duties. The assistantship pays tuition and fees for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, plus a stipend for the Fall and Spring semesters in return for twenty (20) hours of work per week during the fall and spring semester Assistantships are generally awarded for the full academic year, beginning in September; and the deadline for applications is March 1 of the preceding academic year. Applications are available from the Graduate School and should be sent, along with at least three (3) letters of recommendation, to:

Audiology Coordinator
School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
Polsky Building, Room 181
The University of Akron
Akron, OH 44325-3001

(It is assumed that assistantship applicants will also have submitted an Application for Admission to the graduate program, appropriate transcripts, GRE scores and letter of intent.)

* Tuition Scholarship: The School also has a number of stand-alone tuition scholarships, which it can award. The scholarships are awarded for one academic year only, and must be applied for again for subsequent years. The scholarship pays full tuition and fees for the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. The student must be enrolled full-time each semester in order to retain the scholarship. Scholarships are awarded to individuals who have applied for a graduate assistantship, and application procedures and deadlines are the same (see above).

*Grants: The Northeast Ohio Au.D. Consortium (NOAC) has several grants available for Au.D. students. The grants include a Personnel Preparation Grant from the U.S. Department of Education, which provides tuition and stipends for one or two Au.D. students during the second, third, and fourth academic years of the Au.D. program. Students who receive this grant will become specialized in pediatric audiology with children who are deaf or hard of hearing of all ages, but particularly with those ages 0-5. These Au.D. students will receive this training in a variety of settings including schools, hospitals, clinics, and early intervention service and training centers and receive intensive training in aural habilitation and methods of training the auditory development of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Students who receive this grant are required to enter the field of pediatric audiology after graduation. The Auditory-Options Project provides a second funding opportunity. A private non-profit organization provides funding for one Au.D. student. The Au.D. student who receives tuition and a stipend from this private foundation will gain considerable knowledge and advanced clinical skills in providing audiological services to young children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Au.D. student who receives this award will receive a training sequence in pediatric audiology almost identical in organization and structure as that described above in the U.S. Department of Education grant.

* The Margaret Wade Chenot Graduate Scholarship in Audiology: The Margaret Wade Chenot Graduate Scholarship in Audiology was established by Mrs. Chenot, class of 1932, in 2001 because of her interest in providing services to the hearing-impaired. The scholarship will provide financial assistance for a graduate student pursuing a career in audiology who is enrolled in the School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. The recipient will be selected annually by the Director of the Audiology Program and the Director of the School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology in coordination with the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

* The Mary Walsh Berns' Endowment: The Mary Walsh Berns' Endowment was established by Clara and Herb Berns to provide scholarship support for students in the School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. The Endowment honors the Berns' daughter-in-law, who works as a sign language interpreter. Use of the funds will be determined by the Director of the School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

* The Ruth and Bill Kelly Graduate Scholarship in Audiology: The Ruth and Bill Kelly Graduate Scholarship in Audiology was established by the founder of Bil-Jac Foods, Inc., and his wife because of their interest in education and in providing services to people suffering from hearing impairment. Mr. Kelly has been a long-time client of The University of Akron Audiology and Speech Center. The scholarship will provide financial assistance for a graduate student pursuing a career in audiology, who is enrolled in the School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology. The recipient will be selected annually by the Director of the Audiology Program and the Director of the School of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology in coordination with the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

* Robert H. Knox Fellowship: The Knox Fellowship was established in 1987 to encourage University of Akron audiology students who have an interest in becoming a dispensing audiologist. Preference will be given to a graduate student with a grade-point average of at least 3.00. If an appropriate graduate student is not available for the award, the scholarship may be given to an undergraduate. The selection committee will be comprised of the School Director for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, one faculty member whose major area is audiology, and Robert H. Knox. The fund provides approximately $1000 annually.

* The Virginia E. Wilson Fellowship: The Wilson Fellowship is for the benefit of students in the Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) program within The University of Akron's School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. This fellowship, subject to continued satisfactory performance, is a two-year grant for the second and third years of enrollment in the Au.D. program.

* Sertoma Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Scholarship Program: Sertoma International, an international volunteer service organization, offers scholarships up to $2,500 per year to students pursuing Doctoral level degrees in Audiology or Master's level degrees in speech-language pathology. The scholarships are awarded directly by Sertoma International and the application deadline is April 1 of the preceding academic year. Information about the scholarship program and applications are available from the School Director's secretary [(330) 972-6803].

* Quota International Loan Fund: The Sixth District of Quota International, a professional and business service club, makes interest-free loans of up to $3,000, available to graduate students in speech-language pathology, audiology, or deaf education. The loans are awarded directly by the Sixth District of Quota International. Applications can be obtained from any local Quota Club.