Respiratory Therapy Scholarships
Imagine America Foundation Scholarship Programs
Apply for ScholarshipRespiratory therapists manage ventilators, airways, and breathing treatments in ICUs, emergency departments, and neonatal units — some of the most critical roles in healthcare. Imagine America Foundation offers scholarships to help students pay for respiratory therapy education at participating career colleges with CoARC-accredited programs.
Why Become a Respiratory Therapist?
Respiratory therapy is a degree-level clinical career with responsibilities — and compensation — well above most entry-level healthcare roles. RTs are core members of critical care teams, and an aging population with rising rates of chronic respiratory disease keeps hospitals recruiting them year after year.
- Degree-level clinical career in as few as 18–19 months at partner programs
- CoARC-accredited training with NBRC exam preparation (CRT/RRT pathway)
- Work in ICUs, ERs, neonatal units, sleep labs, and home care
- One of the most consistently understaffed allied health professions
- Online BS degree-completion options to advance further
Respiratory Therapy Scholarship Opportunities
Imagine America Foundation provides scholarship funding to students pursuing respiratory therapy education at participating career colleges. Awards are available through the Imagine America High School Scholarship, the Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP), and the Military Award Program (MAP).
Scholarship Amount: $1,000 per award
Eligibility Requirements
- High school seniors nominated by their high school for the Imagine America Scholarship
- Adult learners qualifying for the Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP)
- Active-duty, reservist, or honorably discharged military members through the Military Award Program (MAP)
- Enrollment at a participating career college offering respiratory therapy programs
How to Apply for Respiratory Therapy Scholarships
- Create your free profile on the Imagine America portal
- Browse participating schools offering respiratory therapy programs
- Complete the scholarship application for your chosen school
- Work with the school's admissions team to finalize enrollment and apply your award
Respiratory Therapy Career Outlook
Chronic respiratory conditions like COPD and asthma, plus critical care and neonatal demand, keep respiratory therapists on hospitals' hardest-to-fill lists. Graduates of CoARC-accredited programs who earn NBRC credentials (CRT, then RRT) enter a profession where demand reliably outpaces the supply of new graduates.
Partner Schools Offering Respiratory Therapy Training
Imagine America Foundation partners with accredited career colleges offering respiratory therapy training. Explore our partner schools:
Ready to Start Your Respiratory Therapy Career?
Take the first step toward a rewarding career. Apply for scholarship funding and explore training programs at our partner schools.
Apply for Your Respiratory Therapy ScholarshipFrequently Asked Questions
How long does respiratory therapy school take?
Partner programs like Carrington College's CoARC-accredited Respiratory Therapy program lead to an Associate of Science degree in as few as 18 to 19 months depending on campus scheduling.
What credentials do respiratory therapists need?
Graduates take the NBRC credentialing exams — the TMC pathway leading to Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) and Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credentials, which most states require for licensure.
Where do respiratory therapists work?
ICUs, emergency departments, neonatal intensive care, sleep labs, pulmonary rehab, and home care. The breadth of settings gives RTs unusual career flexibility within healthcare.
Can I advance beyond the associate degree?
Yes. Carrington offers an online Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy degree-completion program for working RTs who want to move into leadership, education, or specialized practice.
