Scholarship Information
(Online scholarship application directions are included
with each scholarship as a file under the description.)
Deadline for this year's Scholarships is April 1st 2017.
Recipients of the scholarship awards will be recognized on May 19th 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) or Adobe pdf format to Jim Spragins, ARA Scholarship Committee Chair at Janie.Crafford@arkansas.gov.
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 on May 19th 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) or Adobe pdf format to Jim Spragins, ARA Scholarship Committee Chair at Janie.Crafford@arkansas.gov.
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.
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.
| Eligibility and Scholarship Application Instructions |
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.
| Eligibility and Scholarship Application Instructions |
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.
This scholarship is awarded annually to a full-time graduate student enrolled int he University of Arkansas at Little Rock, majoring in Rehabilitation Counseling.
This scholarship is awarded annually to a full-time graduate student enrolled int he University of Arkansas at Little Rock, majoring in Rehabilitation Counseling.
| Eligibility and Scholarship Application Instructions |
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.
This scholarship is awarded annually to a full-time graduate student enrolled in the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, majoring in Rehabilitation Counseling.
This scholarship is awarded annually to a full-time graduate student enrolled in the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, majoring in Rehabilitation Counseling.
| Eligibility and Scholarship Application Instructions |
ARS Commissioner's Scholarship - This scholarship is awarded annually to a full-time graduate or undergraduate student at a college or university located in Arkansas who is majoring in Rehabilitation Counseling or a rehabilitation related field. Examples of rehabilitation fields are: rehabilitation science; physical, occupational and speech therapy; interpretation for the deaf and hearing impaired and secondary speech education.
| Eligibility and Scholarship Application Instructions |
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. This scholarship is awarded annually to a full-time undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff, majoring in Rehabilitation Science.
| Eligibility and Scholarship Application Instructions |
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. The recipient of the Butch Barnes Scholarship must meet the following criteria: Be enrolled as a full-time graduate student (9 hours or more) at any university majoring in Counseling and Rehabilitation related fields and be in good standing with the University and a maintain a 3.0 GPA and seeking CRC.
| Eligibility and Scholarship Application Instructions |
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. This scholarship is awarded
annually to a full-time graduate student at Arkansas State University, majoring
in Rehabilitation Counseling.
| Eligibility and Scholarship Application Instructions |
