LET'S GROW TOGETHER

About the Scholarship

The American Therapeutic Recreation Association is excited to provide the opportunity for ATRA Student members to receive the Peg Connolly Scholarship, which offers financial support for attending ATRA's annual conference. Named in honor of Dr. Peg Connolly, the first ATRA president and former Executive Director of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification, this program provides tremendous personal and professional benefits and rewards. Not only do students gain professional knowledge from sessions, students have the opportunity to network with professionals from around the country. ATRA believes the future of our field depends on the continuing growth of students. Today, many former scholarship recipients prove this belief by serving vital roles within our profession.

Basic Information

This scholarship is available to undergraduate, graduate and PhD members of ATRA who are enrolled in a recreational therapy program during the conference year. You must be able to attend a mandatory training the day before the Annual Conference, pre-conference sessions as well as the ATRA Annual Conference in its entirety. Scholarships include conference registration, accommodations, and a meal stipend ($100). Students are responsible for transportation to/from the conference and are expected to arrange travel to remain at the Conference in its entirety. Should there be a lack of qualified applicants in any of the categories, scholarship priority will be given to undergraduate students. This scholarship is a “working scholarship”. Students assist in various aspects of implementing the conference such as room hosting, registration and monitoring social events.

Important Dates

Applications are due May 15 by 11:59 PM. The application is a blended format combining online application and submitting additional documents electronically. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure all components of the application are received in full by deadline.

Application Specifics

The following attachments can be sent to info@atra-online.com or submitted through the application form:

1. One copy of your official electronic transcripts, to be attached in the application form.
2. Two letters of recommendation speaking directly to your Peg Connolly Scholarship application, to be attached in the application form
3. One from a Professor.
4. One from a Supervisor (volunteer or paid experience in recreational therapy). 

To apply for the Peg Connolly Scholarship, those interested must complete an online application, which includes the following five essay questions:

1. Based on ATRA’s definition of recreational therapy, describe the aspects of this approach you most support and any areas you would change. Explain your reasoning for each. ATRA's Definition Referenced: Recreational therapy is a systematic process that utilizes recreation and other activity-based interventions to address the assessed needs of individuals with illnesses and/or disabling conditions, as a means to psychological and physical health, recovery and well-being.
2. Describe your personal philosophy of recreational therapy as a therapeutic discipline. Explain how this philosophy informs your practice or intended work with your chosen population or setting.
3. Discuss specific work or volunteer experiences that have shaped your professional goals in recreational therapy. What skills, knowledge, or insights did you gain from these experiences?
4. Describe a situation in which you took on a leadership role. What happened, and how did this experience help you grow as a leader and advance your professional development?
5. Explain how receiving this scholarship and attending the ATRA Annual Conference can support your personal and professional growth. Please provide specific examples if possible.

EMAIL QUESTIONS TO INFO@ATRA-ONLINE.COM

Apply Here

Please complete the Peg Connolly Scholarship application form by 11:59PM (local time) on May 15th, 2026.