Exploring Chiropractic: Education, Career, and Scholarships

The Rise of Alternative Medicine

Interest in alternative medicine has steadily increased in recent years. People are seeking a whole-body approach to health that encourages active participation through diet, exercise, and meditation. This proactive approach focuses on preventing disease rather than just treating symptoms.

Chiropractic medicine has benefited from this trend. The profession is projected to grow 12% by 2026, reaching 53,300 practitioners. As demand rises, so does the need for high-quality chiropractic education, which typically takes 3–4 years of postgraduate study depending on the school and articulation agreements.

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Funding a Chiropractic Education

Chiropractic education can cost over $100,000 in tuition, but most students do not pay full price thanks to scholarships and work-study programs. For those seeking alternatives to loans or additional support, scholarships from corporations and nonprofits can help.

Examples of external scholarships include:

• ChiroHealthUSA Foxworth Family Scholarship: $10,000 annually for a full-time chiropractic student, plus a matching amount to the school. Awarded at the FCA National Convention in Orlando, FL.
• HOSA-STEM Premier Scholarships: Available to students pursuing a healthcare profession. Requires membership in both organizations, an official transcript, three references, and a one-page personal statement.
• Options for Animals Scholarships: For students pursuing animal chiropractic, including current students, graduates, or for continuing education. Requires a letter of intent, recommendation letter, and CV for postgraduates.

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Career Satisfaction in Chiropractic

Chiropractic offers high career satisfaction, ranked #23 in U.S. News Best Health Care Jobs and #88 in CNN Money Best Jobs in America. Reasons include:

• High patient satisfaction
• Low stress levels
• Flexibility to tailor practices to personal lifestyle

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Scholarships Available at Sherman College

Sherman College offers a variety of scholarships based on academic performance, service, financial need, or specialization. Below is a summary of available awards:

Academic & Performance-Based Scholarships

• $500 Scholarship: 4th quarter or above; 3.8 TERM GPA for 3 consecutive quarters.
• $500 Scholarship: 4th quarter or above; 3.0 CUM GPA; essay on vitalistic philosophy of life and health (minimum 1,000 words).

Service & Community Engagement Scholarships

• $500 Scholarship: 2nd quarter or above; demonstrates community service.
• $1,500 Scholarships (2 available): Clinic 1 or above; demonstrates commitment to serving humanity; financial need required.
• $500 Scholarship: 4th quarter or above; essay on involvement in profession and community.
• $500 Scholarships (3 available): 2nd quarter or above; must have attended high school in Michigan and plan to return.

Specialized Scholarships

• $500 Scholarship: Enrollment in Clinic 730 or above; proficiency in Upper Cervical Techniques; letters of recommendation required.
• $2,000 Scholarships (4 available): Outpatient interns participating in specialty programs; 3.0 CUM GPA.
• $300 Legacy Scholarship: For children of Sherman alumni; renewable for full enrollment.
• Full tuition + $175 book stipend: 10th quarter or above; U.S. citizens demonstrating financial need and leadership qualities.

Application Instructions:

All scholarships require submission of the Sherman Scholarship Application to the Director of Financial Aid, either electronically or in person. All applications must be signed with a handwritten signature (printed names are not accepted). Some awards may also require essays or letters of recommendation.