Investing in Your Future

Scholarships & Awards

Supporting the next generation of surgical professionals through scholarships and awards that recognize academic excellence, professional commitment, and financial need.

Academic Scholarships for Surgical Technologists and First Assistants

The Foundation for Surgical Technology is committed to helping surgical technology students and surgical first assistants pay for tuition or pay off their educational debt. If you have the desire and ability to pursue a career in the operating room and need financial assistance, we encourage you to apply for a scholarship.

Application Deadline

Applications for academic scholarships open online during the fall semester and are due by March 1 each year.

Review the purpose and eligibility requirements below to select the appropriate scholarship application.

Surgical Technologist Scholarship

The purpose of this scholarship is to recognize and support academic excellence while providing financial assistance to surgical technology students who demonstrate financial need and are committed to pursuing a career in the surgical technology profession.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Be currently enrolled in an ABHES- or CAAHEP-accredited surgical technology program and eligible to sit for an NCCA-accredited national surgical technologist certifying examination.
Provide the ARC/STSA school code or proof of ABHES surgical technology program accreditation.
Demonstrate superior academic ability.
Demonstrate a need for financial assistance.
Become a member of AST if awarded the scholarship.

Scholarship Application

First Assistant Scholarship

The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage and reward AST members who are credentialed surgical technologists seeking to advance their careers through formal education to become credentialed surgical first assistants (SFA). This scholarship recognizes professional commitment, academic achievement, and financial need while supporting the development of highly skilled surgical team members dedicated to patient safety and excellence.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Hold a current surgical technology credential earned through an NCCA-accredited certifying body.
Be enrolled in or accepted into an accredited Surgical First Assistant educational program (ARC/STSA or ABHES).
Demonstrate strong academic ability and professional commitment.
Demonstrate a need for financial assistance.
Be an active member of AST for a minimum of one year prior to award disbursement.

Apply for the First Assistant Scholarship

Recognizing Excellence. Supporting Your Future.

Scholarship Awards & Selection

Learn how scholarship recipients are selected, when awards are announced, and how the Foundation supports the next generation of surgical professionals.

How Scholarships Are Awarded

Scholarship amounts vary from year to year and are based on merit and demonstrated financial need. Awards are determined by the Foundation for Surgical Technology Committee using a standardized 100-point evaluation rubric.

Recipient Notification

Scholarship recipients will be notified by the end of May. Recipient names will be announced at the AST Conference and published in the AST Journal and on the Foundation website.

AST Membership

As a demonstration of investment in the profession and professional organization, recipients are required to be AST members prior to receipt of the award.

Supporting the Scholarship Program

Scholarship funds are provided through contributions to the Foundation for Surgical Technology by AST, individuals, AST state assemblies, corporations, and others who support the surgical technology scholarship program.