Scholarship Information
(Online scholarship application directions are included
with each scholarship as a file under the description.)
Applications will be open for acceptance starting October 1, 2021
Deadline for this year's Scholarships is March 1, 2022
Recipients of the scholarship awards will be recognized at the Arkansas Rehabilitation Association Awards Banquet during the annual ARA training conference in Hot Springs AR.
Scholarship applications should be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) to Janie Crafford, Scholarship Committee Chair, at arrehabscholarships@gmail.com
NOTE: Scholarships offered by Arkansas Rehabilitation Association are awarded based on merit, financial need, and thoroughness of completed applications. No applicant is or will be judged as pertains to disability or medical condition, age, race, creed, ethnic/national origin, ancestry, color, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, religion, marital or parental status, political affiliation, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Recipients of the scholarship awards will be recognized at the Arkansas Rehabilitation Association Awards Banquet during the annual ARA training conference in Hot Springs AR.
Scholarship applications should be submitted electronically in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) to Janie Crafford, Scholarship Committee Chair, at arrehabscholarships@gmail.com
NOTE: Scholarships offered by Arkansas Rehabilitation Association are awarded based on merit, financial need, and thoroughness of completed applications. No applicant is or will be judged as pertains to disability or medical condition, age, race, creed, ethnic/national origin, ancestry, color, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, religion, marital or parental status, political affiliation, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Important Notice: Applicants who have been awarded a particular scholarship in the past will not be eligible to receive the same scholarship again. The applicant may apply for other scholarships if eligible.
Rick Fleetwood Scholarship – Rick Fleetwood's contributions in the rehabilitation arena have earned him state, regional, and national meritorious service awards. He served on the Arkansas Rehabilitation Advisory Council for eight years as well as the state Medicare board, the state Rehabilitation Council appointed by the Arkansas governor, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Region C Provider Communications Advisory Group (PCOM). Mr. Fleetwood spent his career with Snell Prosthetic & Orthotic Laboratory, Little Rock, Arkansas, serving as CEO. He was named 2012 Arkansas Business Executive of the Year by Arkansas Business.
Note: Open to all applicants in an undergraduate or graduate school in a rehabilitation-related field. See application for further details.
| Rick Fleetwood Scholarship |
R. Lewis Urton Scholarship - R. Lewis Urton became an employee of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services in 1947. He held several positions in the Agency including Counselor, Chief of Field Services, Assistant Director, and Deputy Commissioner from 1965 until his retirement in December 1979. Mr Urton was well known in the field of rehabilitation on the state, regional, and national level. He made many contributions to the field of rehabilitation and persons with disabilities during his tenure. He was very active in the Arkansas Rehabilitation Association serving as Conference Program Chair for approximately 20 years, Mr. Urton is now deceased. The Scholarship is awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student at Arkansas Tech University, majoring in Rehabilitation science.
Note: Open to applicants attending Arkansas Tech University, majoring in Rehabilitation Science. See application for more details.
| Lewis Urton Scholarship |
E. Russell Baxter Scholarship - E. Russell Baxter became an employee of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services in July 1955. He held several positions in the agency including Counselor, Supervisor of Services for the Blind, Field Administrator, Assistant Director and Rehabilitation Commissioner from April 1965 until his retirement in December 1987. Mr. Baxter was very well known in the field of rehabilitation on the state, regional, and national level. He made many contributions to the field of rehabilitation and persons with disabilities during his tenure. He was a Life Member of the Arkansas Rehabilitation Association and has held various positions on the state, regional, and national level within NRA.
Note: Open to applicants attending the University of Arkansas - Little Rock, majoring in Rehabilitation Counseling. See application for more details
| E Russell Baxter Scholarship |
Vincent H. Bond Scholarship - Vincent H. Bond was an employee of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services for over 33 years. He held several positions in the agency including Counselor, several Area Supervisor positions Assistant Commissioner for Staff Services and Management Services, Interim Rehabilitation Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioner for 15 years until his retirement in December 1995. Mr. Bond was well known in the field of rehabilitation on the state, regional and national level. He made many contributions to the field of rehabilitation and persons with disabilities during his tenure. He is a Life Member of the Arkansas rehabilitation Association and held various positions on the state, regional, and national level within NRA.
Note: Open to applicants attending University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, majoring in Rehabilitation Counseling. See application for more details.
| Vincent Bond Scholarship |
Thirland "Danny" McKissic Scholarship - Mr. McKissic was an employee of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services for 24 years. He held the positions of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and Area Supervisor within the agency. He was an Area Supervisor upon his retirement in December 1994. Mr. McKissic made many contributions to the field of rehabilitation and persons with disabilities during his tenure. He was a life member of the Arkansas Rehabilitation Association, has held various positions in the state chapter, and made many contributions to the Association. Mr. McKissic returned to employment within ARS from December of 2000 until March of 2006 as Director of the Delta CADET Project, which provided creative alternatives for Delta area transportation.
Note: Open to applicants attending The University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff, majoring in Rehabilitation Science. See application for more details.
| Thirland Danny McKissic Scholarship |
Butch Barnes Scholarship - Butch Barnes was a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor who worked for the Arkansas Rehabilitation Services when he died suddenly. He was a staunch supporter of the Arkansas Rehabilitation Association and the Counselor Divisions, both Arkansas Rehabilitation Counselors Association and the Arkansas Rehabilitation Counselor and Educator Association. He worked tirelessly with others to bring to the forefront counseling issues for Legislative review. He was driving force in the Counseling divisions of the Arkansas Rehabilitation Association.
Note: Open to applicants at any Arkansas University, majoring in Rehabilitation Counseling. See application for more details.
| Butch Barnes Scholarship |
Harold E. Thomas Scholarship - Harold E. Thomas was employed by Arkansas Rehabilitation Services for 30 years. He held several positions in the agency including Counselor, several Area Supervisor positions, Administrator of the Rehabilitation Initial Diagnosis and Assessment for Clients Program, and Chief of Field Services. Mr. Thomas is well known in the field of rehabilitation on the state, regional, and national level. He continues to make many contributions to the field of rehabilitation and persons with disabilities. He was a member of the Arkansas Rehabilitation Association for 30 years and held various positions on a state, regional, and national level. Mr. Thomas was a driving force in establishing the Arkansas Rehabilitation Association as a financially stable organization, as well as a viable organization.
Note: Open to applicants at any Arkansas University, majoring in Rehabilitation-Related field. See application for more details.
| Harold Thomas Scholarship |