MRA Scholarships And Awards
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MRA/Superior Van And Mobility Scholarship
Michigan Rehabilitation Association (MRA) is now accepting nominations and applications for the MRA/Superior Van and Mobility $500 cash scholarship.
This $500 cash award is open to a currently enrolled Master's of Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC) students with a disability, who are in good academic standing and expected to graduate no earlier than December 2025. The scholarship aims to support a deserving student who could benefit from this financial assistance as they work toward their future goals.
The selected recipient will be honored and presented with their scholarship at re:con – The Convention of New Beginnings, taking place November 5–7, 2025, at the Radisson Plaza Hotel and Suites in Kalamazoo. MRA will cover the student's full conference registration fee if they choose to attend. Please note: the student will be responsible for their own travel, lodging, and any meals not included with registration.
If the selected student is unable to attend in person, we kindly request a brief letter of acceptance or appreciation that can be read aloud during the awards portion of the conference. We will share the exact date and time of the recognition once the re:con conference schedule is finalized—stay tuned!
Thank you for helping us recognize and support the future leaders of vocational rehabilitation. Completed nomination forms are due no later than Tuesday, September 30, 2025.
3 Ways to Get Started Today!
Harry R. Smith Advocacy Impact Scholarship Application
In June 2010, the rehabilitation community lost a passionate advocate and visionary
with the passing of Michigan’s own Harry R. Smith.
Harry was a Past-President of Michigan Rehabilitation Association (MRA) and the National Rehabilitation Association (NRA). He will be remembered for his extraordinary career accomplishments, exhaustive professional service contributions (at the local, state, and national levels), and the significant, long-term impact he had on the lives of citizens with disabilities and professionals for over 35 years.
It is Harry’s character that stands out above all. He can be defined by an insatiable search for truth, fairness, and humanity within our rehabilitation service delivery system, as well as his desire for all rehabilitation professionals to continuously review and enhance the laws and public policy that guide and inspire us to positively impact the lives of people with disabilities. Harry was committed to learning new and innovative techniques for service delivery, discussing opportunities for policy change, and re-engaging our advocacy efforts.
It is with this scholarship award that we strive to inspire others to continue in the spirit of Harry’s legacy, so in remembrance of his unwavering dedication and impact on our profession, we offer the Harry R. Smith Advocacy Impact Scholarship.
This scholarship will provide financial support for:
- Rehabilitation Counseling graduate students
- Rehabilitation Counseling professionals currently practicing
- People with disabilities
Individuals should be currently engaged in or proposing:
- Policy and/or advocacy projects to enhance rehabilitation public policy or civil rights programs related to people with disabilities
The purpose of this scholarship is to:
- Encourage dynamic involvement in state and/or national disability issues with an overarching goal of impacting the lives of people with disabilities through policy change and advocacy efforts
Past advocacy impact scholarships have been awarded for:
- Rehabilitation Counseling graduate students visiting local middle schools for effective outreach, education, and advocacy efforts with students with disabilities
- Creating accessible parks, recreation, and playground space and equipment
Other possible uses of the scholarship include:
- Relevant course at a community college or university
- Public policy proposals, seminars, conferences, events, etc.
- “Grass Roots” advocacy functions such as awareness campaigns, accessibility promotion, and access to affordable assistive technology
Scholarships will be awarded based on the proposed advocacy project’s:
- Quality
- Creativity
- Impact
- Maximum of $1,500 in MRA funding
Applicants will be notified within 30 days of their submission whether they have been chosen for funding of their proposed advocacy project. Applications will be received and approved on a rolling basis with no further applications being accepted after September 30, 2025.