BCPA-Scholarship Program

Supporting PACB's Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Initiatives

At PACB, we believe every patient deserves access to a qualified and professional patient or health care advocate who can help navigate the healthcare system and ensure that their rights and needs are respected.

Apply BCPA Lapel Pin

The Patient Advocate Certification Board Announces

Formation of a Scholarship Program

The Patient Advocate Certification Board has established a scholarship program to support patient and health care advocates and to encourage diversity in the pool of professionals holding the Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) credential.

Individuals chosen as scholarship recipients are provided with an opportunity to take the practice examination at no cost and apply for the BCPA Examination one time at no cost. Individuals have 2 years from the date of the award to make use of the scholarship and will need to document meeting all current eligibility requirements for initial certification at the time of application for the Examination. The current value of each scholarship is $395.

The number of scholarships awarded in any given year depends on available funds. It is our goal to award at least two (2) scholarships per year. Individuals may apply for more than one category but can only be awarded a maximum of one scholarship in any given year. Applications must be submitted separately for each category. The scholarship program is for individuals who have not yet applied for initial certification.

A You Belong Sign by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Scholarship Categories

Diversity and Inclusion

Includes patient and health care advocates that reflect any one of many aspects of diversity within the current certified population, including, but not limited to, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with disabilities.

Primary criteria: Individual self-identifies by applying under this category and meets all other eligibility criteria including two letters of recommendation. See the Candidate Handbook for detailed information regarding eligibility.

Under Resourced Populations

Includes patient and health care advocates working with under resourced populations. Under resourced populations are those that receive fewer health care services, encounter barriers to accessing primary health care services (e.g., economic, cultural and/or linguistic); have a lack of familiarity with the health care delivery system; and face a shortage of readily available providers.

Scholarship and Application Details

Includes:

One-time registration fee for the Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) computer-based examination.
Access to the Practice Test.

Scholarship Eligibility:

Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher at the time of application OR can demonstrate equivalent experience (either paid or volunteer). Equivalent experience must be documented and cite as many of PACB’s Knowledge, Skill, and Ability statements as are applicable.
Be a first-time candidate.

Application Deadlines:

Application deadline for the Fall 2023 Exam Cycle: May 31, 2023 with Recipients notified by email by July 1, 2023.
Application deadline for the Spring 2024 Exam Cycle: October 31, 2023 with Recipients to be notified by email by December 1, 2023.

Submission Process:

Step One: Establish eligibility to sit for the Board Certified Patient Advocate Exam. Complete the First-Time Candidate application. Complete instructions for accessing the application are available here including:

Two letters of recommendation.
Narrative demonstrating equivalent experience for applicants that have not earned a Bachelors Degree or higher.
Complete all sections of the application EXCEPT submission of payment.
Save the application and contact PACB’s team of reviewers. The application will be reviewed.

If eligibility is approved, the review team will provide access to a scholarship application form.

Important!

Application for the scholarship is limited to individuals who have completed the required eligibility review. Applicants must submit all recommendation letters through our application system. PACB cannot accept recommendation letters directly from applicants. We encourage applicants to request recommendation letters early in the application process. Letters should provide insight into your character, academic or career and volunteer accomplishments, work ethic, and values. May be written by work or volunteer colleagues, professors, etc., but should not come from a family member.

Step Two: Once eligibility has been approved, complete the online certification scholarship application.

Use the following selection criteria to help describe why you wish to receive the scholarship and how it will assist in supporting PACB’s efforts to enhance Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity in Patient and Health Care Advocacy.

Selection Criteria

30% Experience or progression toward career plans in patient and health care advocacy.
20% Volunteer activity and/or community service.
30% Resiliency and ability to manage adversity.
20% Reference letters

Decisions

Applications are reviewed and scored by PACB volunteers and also reviewed by staff. All decisions are final. Applicants must compile all documentation, including letters of recommendation, before submitting.

Additional Details

PACB does not reimburse for review courses or educational programs, learning system fees, transfer fees, or any associated expenses.
By accepting the BCPA scholarship, you are consenting to allow the Patient Advocate Certification Board to use without limitation, and in any media, your name, city, state, photos, and captions (if uploaded), and verbiage for marketing and promotional purposes.
For questions, please email admin@pacboard.org.

Note: the following are NOT eligible for a BCPA certification scholarship: Members of the PACB board of directors or national office staff and individuals who have previously held (or currently hold) the BCPA credential.