Since 1995, SHAPE America has awarded scholarships to outstanding undergraduate and graduate student members majoring in the field of health, physical education, recreation or dance. The Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship, developed by the past presidents of SHAPE America to honor deserving students, is awarded to three undergraduate students and two graduate students in January of each year. All scholarships are presented at the SHAPE America National Convention & Expo held in the spring. Undergraduate awards are $1,250 each and graduate awards are $1,750 each. Recipients also receive a complimentary three-year SHAPE America membership.

• Applicant must be a current member of SHAPE America. Undergraduate students may join at the time of application.
• Applicant must be majoring in the field of health, physical education, recreation, or dance.
• Applicant must have college junior or senior class standing at a baccalaureate-granting college/university (completed a minimum of 60 semester/90 quarter units of college courses).
• Applicant must have a minimum grade point average of 3.5 overall on a 4.0 grade point scale. GPA scores from all institutions attended in pursuit of the applicant’s current degree must be factored into the overall GPA.
• Applicant must be a first-time Ruth Abernathy Presidential Scholarship recipient. Previous recipients of SHAPE America’s National Presidential Scholarship are ineligible.