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CHIA Awards and Scholarship Program
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CHIA Awards and Scholarship Program

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The CHIA Awards and Scholarship Fund offers a variety of scholarship, awards, and grant monies to CHIA Professional and Emerging Professional (Student) members, and to California’s CAHIIM-accredited programs. This fund supports CHIA’s value and dedication to practice excellence through LEAD – leadership, education, advocacy and discovery, while promoting the importance of acquiring health information (HI) professional credentials, strengthening the HI profession through education, and membership in AHIMA and CHIA. Proudly, the CHIA Awards and Scholarship Fund recognizes and engages future leaders and supports health information related research. The following programs are offered:

Student Scholarships awards up to six (6) scholarships of $750 to members currently enrolled in a CAHIIM-accredited HIA/HIT program, who are pursuing a specialty or higher health information credential than they currently hold (e.g., CCS or CCS-P pursuing RHIT or RHIA; RHIT pursuing RHIA) or, enrolled in a post-graduate degree program in a HI-related field.

Certification Exam Fee Reimbursement Program awards up to 20 full exam reimbursements to members who successfully pass AHIMA’s health information certification exams (RHIT, RHIA), coding certification exams (CCS, CCA, CCS-P), and specialty certification exams (CHPS, CDIP, CHDA).

Foundation for Active Member Education (FAME) Scholarship provides members who face financial limitations, the opportunity to attend CHIA educational programs.

HIIM Program Grants are awarded to California’s HIT/HIM programs to support improvements in instruction and learning.

Research Support Awards provide financial assistance to members who are conducting health information related research while seeking advanced master’s and doctoral degrees in areas related to the field of health information.

Contributions to the CHIA Awards and Scholarship Fund are made possible through the generosity of CHIA members, corporate partners, vendor partners and health information professionals like you, who recognize that supporting programs to advance the development of the health information community is an investment in our professional association member-leaders, and industry as a whole. No investment is too small and every investment counts! Do your part in helping to support CHIA’s value and dedication to practice excellence through LEAD by donating today.

Awards and Scholarship Programs

Student Scholarships are awarded to CHIA Emerging Professional (Student) members to assist in completing their educational goals in CAHIIM-accredited health information administration (HIA) or health information technology (HIT) programs. Candidates also include CHIA Professional members enrolled in HIA or HIT programs seeking specialty or higher health information related credentials beyond their current status (e.g., CCS or CCS-P pursuing RHIT or RHIA; RHIT pursuing RHIA), or enrolled in a post-graduate degree program in a health information related field. Up to six (6) Student Scholarships in the amount of $750 may be awarded annually. Additional scholarships may be made available based on exhibitor-sponsored contributions.

For questions, or to submit application requirements, email Scholarship@CaliforniaHIA.org

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • CHIA Emerging Professional (Student) or Professional member in good standing at the time the application is submitted,
  • Enrolled in CAHIIM-accredited HIA or HIT program, or a health information master’s degree program, and completed a minimum 50% of program curricula, or will have completed 50% of curricula for courses currently enrolled at the time of the scholarship deadline (March 1) and
  • Must not have received a Student Scholarship previously.

Application Process

Applicants are required to submit the following information by the annual March 1 deadline.

  1. Completed Student Scholarship Application,
  2. Validation from Program Director that a minimum of 50% of HIA or HIT curricula or health information master’s degree curriculum has been or will be completed, by scholarship deadline (Refer to Program Director Validation Form to for template to provide),
  3. Unofficial transcripts verified (signed) by the Program Director showing grades from the HIA, HIT, or health information master’s Degree program courses,
  4. Minimum of two individuals who will provide a recommendation, and
  5. Written essay, of no more than 500 words, responding to the following two questions:
    1. Describe your educational and/or career goals in the health information profession
    2. Describe how receiving a CHIA Scholarship will assist you in meeting your educational and/or career goals in the health information profession

Selection and Notification Process

The total amount of scholarships to be awarded is determined annually by the CHIA Board of Directors, and information is provided to the CHIA Awards and Scholarship Committee at the time of selection. The CHIA Awards and Scholarship Committee will review all eligible submissions and evaluate based on:

    • Essay content and writing skill,
    • Academic excellence,
    • Content and suitability of recommendations provided, and
    • Completeness and clarity of the application.

CHIA will notify each applicant if he/she was selected to receive the Student Scholarship in April. Scholarship presentations and award distributions are made at the annual CHIA Convention & Exhibit in June, but recipients do not need to be in attendance. Checks will be mailed shortly after the convention concludes.

The Certification Exam Fee Reimbursement Program provides reimbursement awards to eligible CHIA Professional and Emerging Professional (Student) members for AHIMA’s certification examinations (RHIT, RHIA), coding certification examinations (CCA, CCS, CCS-P) and specialty certification examinations (CHPS, CDIP, CHDA). Reimbursement Awards support CHIA’s value and dedication to practice excellence through LEAD – leadership, education, advocacy and discovery, empower all HI professionals to continue to elevate their professional growth and encourages students to take the RHIA/RHIT AHIMA certification examination within six months of graduation.

The amount of exam fee reimbursement is based on verification of the amount paid by applicant, and the respective AHIMA Member price for the exam (as shown online at AHIMA Certification Exams ) at the time of the semi-annual recipient selection, whichever is less.

For questions, or to submit application requirements, email Scholarship@CaliforniaHIA.org

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • CHIA Emerging Professional (Student) or Professional member in good standing of AHIMA and CHIA at the time of application submission and during semi-annual recipient selection,
  • Must have passed the certification examination,
  • Applied for reimbursement within three months of taking the examination,
  • Not received a previous Certification Exam Fee Reimbursement and,
  • For RHIA, RHIT certification examinations: Passed the examination within six months of graduation from a CAHIIM-accredited HIM program. Graduates from California-based and out-of-state programs are eligible.

Application Process

Applicants are required to submit the following within three months of taking the examination:

  1. Completed Certification Exam Fee Reimbursement Application,
  2. Documentation of the date verifying successful passing of exam,
  3. Receipt verifying amount paid for examination, and
  4. For RHIA, RHIT certification examinations: Documentation showing the date of graduation from a CAHIIM-accredited HIA or HIT program (diploma, transcripts, etc)

Selection and Notification Process

Annually, in September and March, CHIA selects the recipients from among the eligible applications received in the prior semi-annual period. The selection is made via a blind draw and up to ten (10) recipients will be selected during each draw period. After each draw, CHIA notifies the selected applicants and checks follow by mail.

  • September selection will include eligible applications received March through August.
  • March selection will include eligible applications received September through February

The CHIA Foundation for Active Member Education (FAME) scholarship provides opportunities for CHIA Professional members to attend CHIA-sponsored educational programs in those instances when the member would not otherwise be able to attend due to financial limitations. It is the goal of CHIA to provide FAME scholarships to as many qualified applicants as possible.

Approval of the FAME scholarship entitles the recipient to a complimentary registration to a requested CHIA program (Webinar, eLearning Programs, Seminar, Convention & Exhibit). Applicants are encouraged to apply for funds to cover the travel, lodging, and meal expenses as needed to attend the program. Travel and lodging are considered if the location exceeds 100 miles from applicant’s home. Lodging is considered for shorter distances if the program is more than one day in length. The amount of the expenses covered are determined on an individual basis and may include all, part, or none of the requested amount. Reimbursement will be paid to the applicant following submission of receipts for the approved expenses at the rate of the actual expense or the approved maximum amount, whichever is less.

For questions, or to submit application requirements, email Scholarship@CaliforniaHIA.org

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • CHIA Professional member in good standing of AHIMA and CHIA. CHIA Emerging Professional (Student) members are ineligible.
  • Must not have received a CHIA FAME scholarship previously.

Application Process

Applicants are placed in consideration upon receipt of a completed FAME Scholarship Application. Applications may be submitted anytime during the year, but must be received at least 30 calendar days in advance of the desired program.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for the amount of money required for their respective needs. However, when an application is approved, funds approved may be for a portion of the requested amount. If a seminar is part of a series, the applicant will only be considered for attendance at the site closest to his/her geographic location. All applications from qualified applicants are reviewed and considered based on question responses, available funds, number of anticipated applications, and amount of FAME scholarship requested.

Selection and Notification Process

Applications are reviewed and approved by the CHIA CEO/Executive Director and the CHIA President or other Board member designee. Consideration is given to the applicant’s level of commitment to the health information profession, as demonstrated by participation in professional activities and local/state/national level volunteerism. Applicants are notified of approval within ten (10) business days. Recipients of the FAME scholarship are not announced publicly.

The Health Informatics and Information Management (HIIM) Program Grants are awarded to Health Information Administration, Health Informatics, and Health Information Technology programs to support improvements in instruction and learning and to help meet special needs of these programs in California. The amount of the grant is determined annually by the CHIA Board.

For questions, or to submit application requirements, email Scholarship@CaliforniaHIA.org

Eligibility Criteria

Any CAHIIM-accredited program within the state of California is eligible.

Application Process

Program Directors are required to submit the following information by the annual March 1 deadline:

  • Completed HIIM Program Grants Application
  • Narrative including a clear, concise description of the CAHIIM-accredited program, the number of students in the program, a description (no more than 750 words) of any special needs that the program has and/or how the grant will be utilized to improve the instruction and/or learning in the program.

Distribution of Grant Monies

Grant monies are paid to the recipient’s program on a “reimbursement or invoice basis.” CHIA requires a grantee to provide a copy of either an invoice or receipt for expenses for which the HIIM grant is awarded. If, within eleven months (no later than May 31) after the grant is announced, grantee fails to provide an invoice or receipt for the products or services for which the grant was awarded, the grant will be cancelled, and monies will not be distributed.

Selection and Notification Process

The total amount of grant monies to be awarded is determined annually by the CHIA Board of Directors, and information is provided to the CHIA Awards and Scholarship Committee at the time of selection. The CHIA Awards and Scholarship Committee review all eligible submissions and evaluate based on:

  • Narrative application content,
  • Demonstrated financial need (as outlined in the narrative application) to support improvement(s) in instruction and learning within the CAHIIM-accredited program,
  • Eligibility of programs accredited by CAHIIM and must be based in California, and
  • Any other criteria as determined by the CHIA Board.

Recipients are notified in April and formally announced at the CHIA Convention & Exhibit in June.

HIIM Program Grant Recipients

2023 Not Awarded
2022 Not Awarded
2021 Loma Linda University
2020 Not Awarded
2019 Loma Linda University
2018 Not Awarded
2017 Consumnes River College
2016 Not Awarded
2015 San Diego Mesa College
2014 San Diego Mesa College
2013 Loma Linda University and Santa Barbara City College
2012 City College of San Francisco
2011 Consumnes River College and Santa Barbara City College
2010 City College of San Francisco
2009 Santa Barbara City College
2008 City College of San Francisco
2007 Fresno City College
2006 City College of San Francisco
2005 East Los Angeles College
2004 Santa Barbara City College
2003 Chabot College
2002 City College of San Francisco

The purpose of the Research Support Awards is to support graduate and doctorate student research that contributes to the health information profession’s body of knowledge.

For questions, or to submit application requirements, email Scholarship@CaliforniaHIA.org

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • CHIA Professional member in good standing of AHIMA and CHIA at the time of application submission,
  • Enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program in health information, health informatics, or related discipline. The program shall be CAHIIM-accredited or recognized by a national or regional accrediting agency of the United States, and
  • Must not have received a Research Support Award previously.

Application Process

Applicants may submit an application at any time throughout the year. To be considered, applicants shall submit:

  1. Completed Research Support Awards Application
  2. Curriculum vitae,
  3. Unofficial transcripts verified (signed) by the Program Director,
  4. A brief description of the research project, including a clear research plan and a clear statement of the relevance of the project to the health information profession,
  5. An estimate of the direct costs associated with the research project to include, but not limited to, Qualitative Research: costs to transcribe interviews, postage, local travel; Quantitative Research: purchase of data sets. Expenses excluded include computer equipment, unreasonable travel, other unreasonable expenses.
  6. A brief description of the expected outcomes of the project and the anticipated submission date,
  7. A signed acknowledgment stating that an article reporting on the results of the research project will be published in the CHIA Journal, and
  8. A signed acknowledgment stating the applicant is willing to present research findings at a CHIA-sponsored webinar or other educational forum.

Selection and Notification Process

Applications are reviewed and approved by the CHIA Board of Directors. Up to two (2) Research Support Awards may be granted annually.

  • Research proposals will be reviewed by the CHIA Board at the next regularly scheduled meeting. If a proposal is received less than two weeks prior to a scheduled Board meeting, the proposal shall be placed on the agenda of the next regularly scheduled meeting.
  • Proposals shall be evaluated on the clarity and comprehensiveness of the research question, the general importance of the research, the appropriateness of research design, and the proposed use of requested funds.
  • Upon review, the CHIA Board shall determine the amount of the award. Awards of up to $2,500 may be granted.