Summary:
The 2025 AAA Foundation Jill Botkin Hearing Health-Care Accessibility Scholarship, established by HearUSA in memory of longtime employee Jill Botkin, is now accepting applications from audiology students committed to improving hearing care access in underserved communities.
Key Takeaways:
- Scholarship Purpose – The award supports audiology students dedicated to expanding hearing care accessibility, particularly in underserved areas.
- Eligibility & Award – Open to full-time U.S. audiology students who have completed their first year, with a $5,000 grant for educational expenses.
- Application Deadline – Interested students must apply by April 30, 2025, with recipients announced by August 15, 2025.
Hearing care retailer HearUSA announced that the 2025 American Academy of Audiology Foundation Jill Botkin Hearing Health-Care Accessibility Scholarship is now open for nominations. The annual scholarship was created last year in memory of 35-year HearUSA employee Jill Botkin, who passed away in 2023. The program is open for applications until April 30, 2025.
According to HearUSA’s Gemma Gray, AuD, senior director of professional development, the scholarship will be awarded to one full-time audiology student enrolled in a U.S. university who is committed to enhancing access to hearing care services, especially in communities that lack geographic access to hearing care as evidenced by the student’s resume, rubric, and personal statement. The winning student must have completed the first year of their doctor of audiology (AuD) program in good standing to be considered.
“The field of audiology plays a vital role in addressing the challenges faced by individuals with hearing loss. However, despite advancements in technology and treatment options, accessibility to hearing care remains a significant issue, particularly in geographically underserved areas. The Jill Botkin scholarship seeks to honor and celebrate students working to address those challenges,” Gray says.
“Aspiring audiologists are crucial to enhancing access to underserved populations and ensuring equitable access to essential hearing healthcare services,” adds Patrick Gallagher, the Academy’s executive director. “The Jill Botkin Hearing Health-Care Accessibility Scholarship was created to help address this need while honoring the memory of someone who dedicated her entire career to making better hearing health-care available to those who deserve it most.”
A veteran of HearUSA, Jill Botkin began her career with the company as an audiologist in South Florida. From there, she rose through the ranks, serving in various roles, including sales trainer, regional manager, division manager, and vice president of operations, before transitioning to her role as senior advisor. Her dynamic personality and passionate leadership allowed her to advocate for HearUSA hearing center teams and clients while balancing the needs of the business.
Once the application window closes, Academy staff will compile all the completed applications and supporting documentation and submit them for review by a dedicated scholarship program task force. Recipients and nonrecipients will be notified on or before Friday, August 15, 2025. Sponsors will be notified about the recipients after the recipients confirm their acceptance of the award. The selected recipient will receive a $5,000 scholarship grant intended for educational support in their AuD program.
For more information about the award and to apply, visit the Jill Botkin scholarship page.
Featured image: Dreamstime
