Ortho Dermatologics announced the opening of the application process for its 2020 Aspire Higher scholarship program.

The program, which began in 2012, will award nine students who have been treated for a dermatologic condition with a $10,000 scholarship in support of their academic goals.

“The role of a student today can be overwhelming – from managing their academics to extracurricular activities, work studies and more. Adding the physical and emotional burden of living with a skin condition, which is generally visible to see unlike other medical diseases, can make it even more difficult, which is why the relationship they have with their dermatologist is critically important to help them properly address their skincare needs,” says Bill Humphries, president, Ortho Dermatologics, in a media release.

“We remain committed to continuing the Aspire Higher program and look forward each year to providing more students who have been challenged by a skincare condition with the support they need to pursue their higher education.”

To apply for the 2020 scholarship, students are required to submit letters of recommendation along with a long-form essay describing the impact of their dermatologic condition and the role that a dermatologist, physician assistant or nurse practitioner played in helping to treat their condition. Scholarships are open to applicants who have been accepted to or students currently attending an accredited, nonprofit, 2- or 4-year college, university, or advanced (post-high school) vocational or technical school for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Scholarships are available in the following three categories:

  • Undergraduate Scholar Awards for students pursuing undergraduate degrees
  • Graduate Scholar Awards for students pursuing graduate degrees
  • Today’s Woman Scholar Awards for students who are mothers pursuing either undergraduate or graduate degrees

“Thanks to the Aspire Higher scholarship program, I have been able to turn my experience with a painful skin disease into something positive and help others who are suffering through similar issues,” says Astrid Guervera, a 2019 Aspire Higher scholarship recipient, in the release.

“I can focus less on paying for medical school and more on becoming the best physician I can be for my future patients and their families, where I hope to make a positive impact on their lives similar to the way my doctors have impacted mine.”

Students can apply for the Aspire Higher scholarship through April 27, 2020, and winners will be announced on July 15, 2020.

To learn more about the scholarship, including eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, and to see stories from previous winners, visit Ortho Dermatologics.

[Source: Ortho Dermatologics]