Could you use financial assistance to help you reach your goal of earning or maintaining the world's fastest-growing HR credential? Could your state council or chapter use some extra funds for its existing or planned program promoting SHRM certification? If you're taking the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam soon, or if you already have your SHRM certification and need to recertify within the next 12 months, there may be a SHRM Foundation scholarship available with your name on it!
The SHRM Foundation is SHRM's charity affiliate, and its mission is to transform workforces and workplaces for the better. One of the ways it does this is by awarding scholarships to HR professionals and students for certification, academic studies, professional development and more. This year, almost $500,000 in SHRM Foundation scholarships is available, and some of it will assist SHRM members to prepare for and take a certification exam or apply for recertification.
There are two certification scholarship windows each year. The SHRM Foundation is currently accepting online applications until Sept. 1.
Individual Selection Criteria
The SHRM Foundation will award 110 certification scholarships of $750 each toward the pursuit of a SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. Twenty of the 220 scholarships available are reserved for members engaged in issues involving veterans, in alignment with the SHRM Foundation's current inclusion initiatives.
Scholarship applicants will be notified of a decision by Nov. 5. Those who are selected to receive a certification scholarship may apply it to their exam fees or exam preparation costs for the winter 2018 or the spring 2019 exam window.
The SHRM Foundation also will award 20 recertification scholarships of $100 each, which may be used to cover the SHRM recertification application fee of recipients who apply within 12 months of receiving the award. The application and notification dates are the same: Applications are due by Sept. 1, and notifications will be sent Nov. 5, 2018.
The review committee awards the scholarships based on the applicant's work experience and progress (HR involvement and future career plans), volunteer activity, and financial need. The committee also considers the applicant's character, accomplishments, work ethic and values, based on insights offered in a letter of reference from a colleague, professor, coach or other person who is not a family member.
For additional requirements and other important information, see the SHRM Foundation's certification and recertification scholarships pages.
Chapter or State Council Selection Criteria
The chapter and state council certification scholarships award $750 toward programs to promote the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP credential. A SHRM chapter or state council that was designated a SHRM Foundation Champion in the previous calendar year and is conducting or planning to conduct a SHRM certification preparation program or other effort to promote SHRM certification may apply.
The award decision is based on the chapter's or state council's plan for use of the funds (program depth, reach and impact), financial need and available matching funds. Award funds may not directly fund chapter or state council certification scholarships.
For additional requirements and other important information, see the SHRM Foundation's chapter certification scholarship page.
Michelle Sparacino, SHRM-SCP, is director, Strategic Initiatives, for the SHRM Foundation.
An organization run by AI is not a futuristic concept. Such technology is already a part of many workplaces and will continue to shape the labor market and HR. Here's how employers and employees can successfully manage generative AI and other AI-powered systems.
Related Content
HR must always include human intelligence and oversight of AI in decision-making in hiring and firing, a legal expert said at SHRM24. She added that HR can ensure compliance by meeting the strictest AI standards, which will be in Colorado’s upcoming AI law.
The proliferation of artificial intelligence in the workplace, and the ensuing expected increase in productivity and efficiency, could help usher in the four-day workweek, some experts predict.
Learn how Marsh McLennan successfully boosts staff well-being with digital tools, improving productivity and work satisfaction for more than 20,000 employees.